APDA Dr. Gilbert Hosts American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)

Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Palliative Care for Parkinson's Disease - Palliative care is a medical approach for those with complex illnesses, in which the focus is on maximizing quality of life. Contrary to popular belief, palliative care is not just for late-stage disease -- this approach can be applied at any stage of the disease, even at the time of diagnosis! However, it does become more important as the disease advances. Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have benefited from the palliative care approach from their physicians (and possibly not even realized it). When a treatment or therapy is added to improve quality of life, that is palliative care! Our special guest, Dr. Jori Fleisher, is a movement disorders physician with expertise in palliative care who will discuss how the palliative care approach can benefit people with PD and help improve your quality of life throughout the continuum of disease. You will learn about: What is palliative care and what are its benefits? When is a good time to start thinking about palliative care? How can you obtain palliative care services? What is the difference between palliative care and hospice? What is an advanced directive and how do you implement one?

Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Sleep Issues and Parkinson's Disease - Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience difficulties with their sleep. Insomnia, restless leg syndrome, frequent nighttime awakenings, excessive daytime sleepiness, and many others, are all common complaints for people with PD and these challenging problems can affect your quality of life. Our special guest Dr. Maria Ospina is a movement disorders physician who will discuss sleep and PD and offer tips to help you improve your sleep issues. In this episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts you’ll learn: the various sleep disorders that are associated with PD; potential treatments for the sleep difficulties of PD; the effects of PD medications on sleep; and, ways to overcome excessive daytime sleepiness.

Dr. Gilbert Hosts: A Discussion With Parkinson’s Care Partners - Being a care partner has its rewards and challenges. For the next episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts we will introduce you to Veronica, Greg and Mario – three exceptional individuals who are care partners to people with Parkinson’s disease. They have a range of experiences at different stages of the disease and are ready to share their stories and expertise with you. They will share their insights on: Planning for PD over the long term, Navigating the health care system, Raising a family when your partner has PD, Negotiating finances and employment, Taking care of the care partner, And whatever else is on YOUR mind!

Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Parkinson's Disease and the Gut with Dr. Ali Keshavarzian - Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience difficulties with their gastrointestinal tract. Constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, and nausea are all common and challenging problems that can cause considerable discomfort and affect your quality of life. Our special guest is a gastroenterologist with expertise in both the research and the clinical care of the GI disorders of Parkinson’s disease. In this episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts you’ll learn: the gastrointestinal symptoms that are common in PD; potential treatments for the GI symptoms of PD; the gut microbiome in PD; and, the effects of PD medications on the gut.

Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Decades with PD: "Ask me Anything!" with Alice, Dionne, JM and Pam - When facing a disease like Parkinson’s, it can help to talk with people who have “been there” - people who understand what it’s like to live every day with PD, who have already navigated some of the pitfalls and obstacles you’re wondering about, and who can share their honest advice and personal experiences. In this episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts we spoke to Alice, Dionne, JM, and Pam – four exceptional people who collectively have been living with PD for more than 60 years. They have varied careers and experiences shared their successes and challenges with PD. They shared their insights on: navigating PD over the long term, finances and employment, exercise, medication management, and deep brain stimulation

Dr. Gilbert Hosts: I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease - now what? - You’ve just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) – now what?!? Receiving a PD diagnosis can be confusing, overwhelming, and frightening, leaving you with many unanswered questions, or perhaps not even knowing what questions to ask in the first place. APDA is here to help. In this episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, speaks with Dr. Stephanie Bissonnette, Movement Disorders Specialist at Boston Medical Center in Boston, MA, about what you need to know when you are first diagnosed with PD so you can better understand your disease and take a proactive approach to your health care.