Physical therapy is a critical element of any Parkinson’s treatment program, however Medicare’s constantly changing guidelines on how it is covered can be confusing. Medicare expert Danielle Roberts from Boomer Benefits clears up the confusion about the latest updates to Medicare’s physical therapy cap in 2018, and changes to Medicare’s physical therapy guidelines.
How does Medicare cover Parkinson’s disease? Which Medicare plan is best to help with the costs of treatment, providing inpatient, outpatient and drug benefits? Danielle Kunkle from BoomerBenefits.com helps you review all of your options before committing to the coverage that you feel fits you the best.
If your life partner gets diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you’re in for the ride, and if you don’t learn how to best face this diagnosis head-on together, your days and years moving forward will be much more challenging than they need to be. Today we’re covering the 8 things you need to know if you’re spouse or close partner has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Has someone you care about recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? Are you wondering how you - as a spouse, partner, or family member - can step into the caregiver role and what you should expect in the days, months, and years ahead? Today we’re talking about how to lay the groundwork early after a Parkinson’s diagnosis to ensure you, as a caregiver, and your loved one can move forward together in an effective and powerful way.
Are you a caring for someone with Parkinson’s, and experiencing feelings of sadness, anger, forgetfulness, isolation, and depression? While these are typically considered symptoms of “caregiver burnout”, they can also indicate that you are be experiencing grief. One of the biggest myths about grief is that it only follows a death. The truth is that grief can show up long before death arrives and can often be triggered the moment a Parkinson’s diagnosis is delivered, for both you and your loved one with Parkinson’s.
Dr. Sarah King, PT, DPT interviews Dr. Bas Bloem about the future of Parkinson’s care. Dr. Bloem is a Movement Disorder Specialist in the Netherlands who created a network of Parkinson's healthcare providers called ParkinsonNet that is completely revolutionizing the way countries provide Parkinson's care.
Dr. Sarah King, PT, DPT interviews Samantha Elandary, a speech therapist and Founder / CEO of The Parkinson's Voice Project, about speech therapy for Parkinson's Disease. In her innovative program - SPEAK OUT! - Samantha is exploring a new type of voice therapy for Parkinson's that is empowering and effective.
The World Parkinson Congress, often referred to as the WPC, is one of the most unique and powerful Parkinson’s conferences in the world. Every three years the World Parkinson Congress draws world leaders in basic and clinical science, care, and advocacy from across the globe with the guidance of the program’s Executive Director, Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard.
Most of the time our present moment is safe and full of blessings waiting to be recognized. It is also full of opportunities and positive choices to be made that can make your today the best it can be.
Tim says, “Live your best today. Do your best, and stop there. Have the courage to be content, then offer yourself to others. You have many blessings still to share.”
Omotola Thomas has been told time after time that Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease and to curb her expectations of her future. She has consistently chosen to believe that she can defy the label that’s been placed upon her, and thus the perceived limitations that come with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. In this act of defiance, she founded ParkinStand.
Have you heard all the hype about cycling for your Parkinson's symptoms? Are you curious what the research says about cycling for Parkinson's or how to get started?
In this post I’ll walk through a variety of options for you to explore the benefits of cycling for Parkinson's, no matter what stage of your Parkinson’s journey you’re in or your activity level.
Are you looking for some options to treat your Parkinson's symptoms that go beyond simply taking more medication?
Are you skeptical that adding a regular exercise program, or switching up your diet can actually make a dent in your symptoms?
If so, I have a special treat for you today.
Colin Potter, founder of Fight-Parkinsons.org, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's since 2011, after 3 years of progressive symptoms.
At age 61, his symptoms had progressed to a point where he was dragging his feet, not swinging his arm, his writing was small, and his rigidity was so intense it would take over 20 minutes just to get out of bed in the morning.
As he worsened, he wondered:
"Is this it? Is Parkinson's going to be the end of me?"
Fortunately, he decided it wouldn't, and set out on a journey to find answers that the medical community couldn't give him.
What he found was how significantly our daily lifestyle and environment contributed to neurological system disruption.
I've spoken with Colin before about how he began changing his nutrition, supplementation, exercise program, and focusing on toxin elimination to help him reverse a large portion of his symptoms.
In this interview, I brought Colin back on for an interview to talk more about his journey and what specific steps he took to regain a feeling of freedom and empowerment in his life, despite his diagnosis.
Press play above to watch. Closed captions available (Click on "CC" at the bottom right).
3:00 - Quick Disclaimer from Sarah (This is NOT medical advice!)
7:30 - Colin’s Background - self-employed problem-solver
10:00 - Colin’s initial symptoms (3 years before official diagnosis)
12:55 - When Colin started taking medication
14:14 - The gift Colin received that changed everything
15:50 - The #1 thing Colin learned initially that launched his journey (hint: it’s at the heart of most chronic diseases)
19:04 - Peek into Colin’s diet
21:30 - How long it took for him to start seeing results (and his transition off medication)
24:00 - Colin’s advice on where to start with nutrition, exercise, supplementation, and toxin elimination upgrades
25:55 - How Colin developed an optimistic mindset and how he stays motivated to keep fighting
28:00 - What Colin’s able to do now physically that he couldn’t do 4 years ago
29:27 - The role of exercise in Colin’s recovery plan
31:49 - Colin’s #1 Reading recommendation
34:53 - Colin’s supplementation program - then and now
38: 55 - The physician who Colin sees primarily to help him guide his natural treatment program (and their plan of attack)
45:20 - A recent victory that Colin was very excited about!
47:30 - Q&A: Steps that Colin recommends when just starting out on your journey
55:55 - Answer to the question "Do I have to go 100% for these efforts to be worth it?"
1:00:10 - Constipation, Urinary Frequency, and Colon Hydrotherapy… oh my!
1:09:50 - The role of medication in a thriving Parkinson's recovery program
Find Colin online at www.Fight-Parkinsons.org or on Facebook at Fight Parkinsons
Colin's email address: colin.potter @ fight-parkinsons.org
Staying Hydrated with Parkinson's - Going Beyond Simply "Drinking More Water"
Have you been diagnosed with Parkinson's and want to start taking powerful steps to address your symptoms without taking more medication?
Snag a free copy of Sarah's "Parkinson’s Plan of Attack Foundations Checklist” below to start your journey today.
Are you considering having Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for your Parkinson’s symptoms? Have you heard of DBS but still aren’t clear on exactly what it does, who it’s for, or when someone should consider it? You’re in the right place.
Today I want to share with you an interview I did with a friend and physical therapy colleague, Dr. Eric Rhoden, PT, DPT.
He shares my passion for Parkinson’s, is incredibly well versed in Deep Brain Stimulation, and took some time to answer the most common questions I hear from our online community about DBS.
Dr. Sarah King, PT, DPT interviews Colin Potter about his experience being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and his hard fought battle to reverse his Parkinson's symptoms. He talks about the revelation he had to spur his new journey, what changes he's made to reverse his symptoms, and what his plans are for the future.
Over the next few weeks, I'd love to send you most effective tools and strategies that will help you move better, feel more energized, and take back control of your Parkinson's future.
