{"id":7258,"date":"2021-04-13T18:58:37","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T18:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/4-essentials-for-living-with-parkinsons-disease\/"},"modified":"2021-04-13T18:58:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-13T18:58:37","slug":"4-essentials-for-living-with-parkinsons-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/blog\/4-essentials-for-living-with-parkinsons-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Essentials for Living with Parkinson\u2019s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that over 10 million individuals worldwide are living with Parkinson\u2019s Disease today, and about 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed each year. For these individuals and their families, Parkinson\u2019s Disease is a life-changing diagnosis. While much progress has been made with research in understanding the disease, we sadly still do not have a cure for this progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Previously, I\u2019ve described how Parkinson\u2019s Disease can complicate travel, and provided Tips for Traveling with Parkinson\u2019s Disease<\/a>. Today, I want to consider more broadly these 4 essential concepts for living with Parkinson\u2019s Disease.<\/p>\n

1. Find a Community of Support<\/h2>\n

When dealing with a chronic illness like Parkinson\u2019s disease, it is crucial to find a community of support and avoid trying to face Parkinson\u2019s alone. Local or regional support groups can offer encouragement just by spending time talking with others who are in a similar spot and living with the same challenges. This support can also be tremendously beneficial for loved ones caring for the individual with Parkinson\u2019s, as the group can help share the emotional burden and stress of caring for someone with chronic illness. These groups are great for sharing tips and practical info, as well as understanding where to get the best care within one\u2019s community health setting (see #2). Check out the full list of organizations at the bottom of this article for available groups in your area, but a great place to start is this \u201cIn Your Area\u201d search<\/a> on the Parkinson\u2019s Foundation website. Just enter your zip code and see what is available in your area.<\/p>\n

2. Seek Out Competent & Compassionate Care<\/h2>\n

One of the hardest parts of dealing with a new diagnosis of Parkinson\u2019s Disease is finding out where to find the best possible care. While your primary care physician or neurologist can help you navigate this, don\u2019t forget that your community of support can also provide some of the best vetted recommendations for physicians who specialize in Parkinson\u2019s Disease. Additionally, it may be worth exploring seeking care at a Parkinson\u2019s Disease Center of Excellence if there is one within a reasonable travel distance. While this certainly isn\u2019t mandatory or even possible for everyone, depending on your location it may open up the opportunity for a second opinion or opportunities for clinical trials. Check out this list of the Parkinson\u2019s Foundation 47 Centers of Excellence<\/a> that are scattered across the US.<\/p>\n

3. Recognize and Treat the Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease<\/h2>\n

When most think about Parkinson\u2019s Disease, the \u2018motor\u2019 symptoms such as tremor, slow movement, limb rigidity, or balance problems probably come to mind. However, it\u2019s important to recognize that there is a spectrum of \u2018non-motor\u2019 symptoms that occur in Parkinson\u2019s Disease. These include but are not limited to<\/p>\n