Parkinson's Newsletter

Monthly Parkinson’s updates, plus information on local recurring events and community happenings.

JULY

Time for a Mid-Year Parkinson’s Wellness Check!

As we reach the halfway point of the year, let us take this opportunity to pause and assess our health and wellness goals. For people living with Parkinson’s disease, small changes can occur gradually, making it easy to overlook shifts in symptoms, activity levels, or daily routines. A mid-year wellness check can help you identify what is working well, address emerging challenges, and set realistic goals for the months ahead. Think of this wellness check as a comprehensive review of your physical, emotional, and social well-being.

I encourage you to take a few moments during the month of July to perform your own mid-year wellness check. Celebrate your successes, identify areas for improvement, and remember that every positive step (no matter how small it may seem!) contributes to your overall well-being. The second half of the year offers a fresh opportunity to focus on what matters most – living well with Parkinson’s disease!

Here are a few areas to think about to get you started:

Review your symptoms

As Parkinson’s symptoms can fluctuate from day to day, even hour to hour, it can be difficult to notice true changes. Try to think back to the holidays and the start of the new year… How do today’s symptoms compare to then?

Tremor
Stiffness or rigidity
Walking
Balance
Fatigue
Mood
Memory and concentration
Speech
Swallowing

2. Evaluate your medication routine

Am I taking my medications on schedule?
Have I missed doses more frequently than usual?
Have I noticed more "off" periods between doses?
Are side effects affecting my quality of life?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. Medication adjustments can often improve symptom control and daily functioning.

3. Assess your exercise habits

Exercise remains one of the most powerful tools for managing Parkinson’s disease!

Am I exercising at least 3 times (ideally 5 times) per week?
Do my activities challenge balance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness?
Have I tried new forms of exercise?
- What new physical activity could I try?

Consider a bout of physical therapy or occupational therapy to reassess your current level and assist with establishing the best exercise program for you!

4. Check in on mental and emotional health

Reflect on the following:

How would I rate my mood over the past six months?
Am I staying connected with family and friends?
Do I feel supported?
Have I lost interest in activities I once enjoyed?

Caregivers – This one is just as important for you!

Always remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness!

5. Prioritize sleep and rest

Consider:

Am I getting enough restorative sleep?
Do I wake feeling refreshed?
Have my sleep patterns changed?

Poor sleep can worsen many Parkinson’s symptoms. Discuss persistent sleep concerns with your healthcare provider, as effective treatments may be available.

6. Focus on nutrition and hydration

Nutrition is tricky as there is no specific diet for Parkinson’s Disease, and every person’s body has different dietary needs. Consider the following:

Is your calorie intake enough, or too little, or too much? Have you lost or gained weight?
Does your diet offer a variety of nutrients – vitamins, fiber, protein, etc.?
Are you taking your Parkinson’s medication too close to your protein consumption and inadvertently reducing the effectiveness of your medication? (The recommendation is to take your medication at least 30-60 minutes after eating protein, or 60 minutes before eating protein.)

However, one thing we all need is water! – Be sure to stay adequately hydrated, especially during the hot summer months!

7. Assess home safety

Simple home modifications can reduce fall risk and increase confidence (of you and your care partner) when you’re moving around the home.

Take a little time to walk around your home, inside and out, and evaluate your living environment. Think about:

Adequate lighting
Decluttering walkways
Clearing tripping hazards (i.e. throw rugs, cords)
Potential benefit of adding handrails or grab bars

Consider having an occupational or physical therapist come to complete a formal home assessment with you and make specific recommendations based on your functional status.

8. Reconnect with your goals

Ask yourself:

What accomplishments am I proud of?
What challenges have I overcome?
What goals would I like to focus on for the remainder of the year?

Your goals do not need to be large! Some simple suggestions:

Taking a walk (even just a short one to the mailbox!) every day
Attending a support group
Improving sleep habits
Participating in an activity outside of the home one time per week (i.e. meeting the grandchildren at a park, going out to lunch with a friend, tagging along for a quick errand)

I encourage you to write down your goals to hold yourself accountable; yet remember that it is okay not to be perfect, as any progress is better than none!

Here's to a great second half of 2026! You can do it!

Written by Jessica Dankanich MS OTR/L

JUNE

Heat Waves and Hard Days: Managing Parkinson’s Symptoms

in Summer

Summer has not even officially begun, and we’ve already had temperatures in the 90’s for days straight. Of course we look forward to the sunshine, natural vitamin D, longer hours of daylight, and family vacations that summer brings. And yet, for those living with Parkinson’s Disease, the heat and humidity (especially here in Pennsylvania) of summer often pose additional challenges. Not to mention the routine changes caused by travel, family gatherings, and outdoor events, often disrupting medication schedules. It is not uncommon for someone with Parkinson’s Disease to have worsening mobility and increased cognitive challenges during the summer months. Due to difficulty regulating body temperature, excessive heat and humidity may intensify symptoms such as tremors, balance instability, muscle stiffness, and fatigue for people with Parkinson’s. Dehydration is certainly an additional concern, especially in warmer weather, as it may worsen medication side effects of low blood pressure and lightheadedness.

Help reduce heat-related stress (for those with Parkinson’s and care partners!) with a few simple precautions for a safe and optimally comfortable summer season:

Ensure regular hydration throughout the day
Plan outdoor activities during cooler morning or evening hours
Watch for early signs of overheating (i.e. dizziness, confusion, headache)
Schedule rest breaks into your activities
Allow even extra time for rest during hot daysWear lightweight, breathable clothing
Use a cooling towel (even before you feel overheated)
Keep indoor spaces cool with fans or air conditioning
Keep a flexible mindset and willingness to adapt to changes

Written by Jessica Dankanich MS OTR/L

May

Spring Cleaning for Parkinson’s Disease

I believe I speak for many of us when I say that I love and hate spring cleaning. When the tasks are done, we feel accomplished and rejuvenated. On the other hand, just thinking about the to-do lists can be overwhelming and anxiety-producing. Spring cleaning can be both an opportunity and a challenge. A cluttered or poorly organized home negatively impacts one’s focus and decision-making as well as increases the risk of falls. Spring cleaning isn’t all just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a safer, more functional and accessible environment that supports independence. Especially for someone with Parkinson’s Disease, tidying up living spaces can improve their safety and peace of mind. Here are a few recommendations to approach the daunting task of spring cleaning specifically for those impacted by Parkisnon’s Disease.

Set realistic goals
- Focus on one room or one area at a time
- Set a timer for 15–30 minutes

Declutter with purpose
- Prioritize high-impact areas like walkways, bathrooms, and kitchens
- Keep frequently used items within easy reach to avoid bending, reaching, or climbing

Reassess home safety, focusing on fall prevention
- Remove loose rugs or secure them with non-slip backing
- Ensure cords and wires are out of walking paths
- Improve lighting in hallways and staircases
- Reassess need for grab bars in bathrooms or additional handrails on stairs

Timing matters
- Clean during times when energy and mobility are at their best (i.e. during medication “on” times)
- Take breaks before fatigue sets in and avoid overexertion
- Stay hydrated

Use adaptive strategies and techniques
- Sit when possible to conserve energy and minimize falls risk
- Utilize a lightweight vacuum cleaner
- Use long-handled dusters to reduce reaching and potential loss of balance
- Use cleaning wipes instead of sprays and cloths

Ask for help!
- Assign and share tasks to reduce stress
- Delegate tasks that have higher safety concerns, such as:
  - Lifting or moving heavy objects
  - Reaching high shelves
  - Deep cleaning areas like bathrooms or floors

Written by Jessica Dankanich MS OTR/L

April

Finding Your Voice Among Medical Professionals

For someone living with Parkinson’s Disease, communication becomes a critical component of care. Communicating well with your medical team is vital in the trajectory of your Parkinson’s journey – starting with establishing your treatment plan and ultimately impacting your daily quality of life.

Communication is imperative, and yet, with Parkinson’s Disease, it often becomes more difficult to express oneself for a multitude of reasons – your voice is softer so your statements are harder to hear, your words don’t come as quickly, you lose your train of thought mid-sentence. Describing symptoms is challenging enough, yet these very symptoms make it even more difficult to explain what you’re feeling and the daily challenges associated with them.

The most important takeaway for communicating with medical professionals is that honesty matters more than perfection. Do not minimize your symptoms, even if you perceive sharing all of the minor details as complaining (you aren’t!). Your medical team cannot read your mind, and they can only help mitigate the problems (no matter how big or small) if they know about them.

You don’t have to be a perfect communicator; you just have to be a persistent one! Here’s a few tips to help you communicate with medical professionals along your Parkinson’s journey:

Be open, even if it’s uncomfortable. More truthful and detailed responses will lead to better adjusted treatment interventions.
Ask questions. Ask LOTS of them! Do not worry about taking up too much time. Your health deserves that space and attention.
Come to your appointment prepared. Utilize a notebook to assist your memory and ensure that you remember to address everything on your list. Also consider using a notebook to log any changes, new symptoms, or rising concerns.
Bring a care partner or family member to your appointments with you. They often notice things that you may not. They can also help to answer questions and fill in the gaps if you are struggling to process the questions or can’t seem to find the right words. Sometimes, just having someone else there in your corner gives you the confidence to speak up.
Speak intentionally. Every honest conversation is a step toward better care.
Advocate for yourself when you don’t feel heard or don’t understand. If something isn’t working, say so! If you need clarification, ask for it!

Always remind yourself that medical professionals are people just like you and me. They may have specialty degrees, but that does not make them better than you. You deserve to be heard and treated respectfully!

Written by Jessica Dankanich MS OTR/L

March

Understanding the Burden on Caregivers of People with Parkinson’s

Caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease is an act of deep love and commitment. While much attention rightly focuses on the individual diagnosed with PD, it is vitally important to recognize that caregivers need care too. Caregiving can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be isolating. As a caregiver, you are not alone if you experience chronic stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, feelings of guilt, and/or social withdrawal.

Supporting caregivers matters just as much as supporting those with PD!

Well-supported caregivers are more patient, attentive, and emotionally available, leading to

better patient outcomes.
Educated caregivers are better equipped to manage PD symptoms, thus reducing

healthcare crises and emergencies.
Caregivers who have help and support for themselves are more likely to remain healthy

and capable over time to sustain potentially long-term care needs.

Written by Jessica Dankanich MS OTR/L