The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) is launching a limited-series podcast beginning Wednesday, May 6, 2020, designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners navigate their way through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the series, part of MJFF’s ongoing Parkinson’s Podcast, listeners will learn about a variety of important aspects of the coronavirus pandemic that may merit specific consideration by people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones. The series will offer practical advice on topics including:

  • How to make the most of telemedicine appointments with your movement disorder specialist
  • Best practices to plan for ongoing DBS care
  • Tips for socially isolating when you need in-home care
  • Opportunities to participate in Parkinson’s research from home
  • The benefits of mindfulness and physical exercise in combating depression and isolation

“Whether you are 37 or 73, living through a pandemic of this scale is new for all of us — and navigating the Parkinson’s journey adds another layer of challenge. Our Foundation is committed to helping people with Parkinson’s live their best lives with the disease through a wide range of engagement opportunities. Connecting with the worldwide PD community through a limited series podcast allows us to provide credible, accurate and up-to-date information, while offering advice, insight and hope,” says Rachel Dolhun, MD, Vice President of Medical Communications and a board-certified movement disorder specialist neurologist, in a media release.

Each episode of the podcast will feature Dolhun and an expert guest. It will be hosted by Larry Gifford. Diagnosed at 45, Gifford sits on the MJFF Patient Council. He is the host of the award-winning Curiouscast podcast When Life Gives You Parkinson’s and is the National Director of Talk Radio for Corus Entertainment in Canada.

“I’m honored to be a part of this important project. Parkinson’s is already a very lonely disease. Add self-isolation and social distancing to it, and it’s a recipe for feeling disconnected, anxious and depressed,” Gifford shares, in the release. “The podcast is an accessible and intimate way to help bring our community together, ask and answer questions, sort fact from fiction and provide the important information they need to remain healthy and active during this time.”

The podcast is available every other Wednesday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and michaeljfox.org/podcasts.

[Source(s): The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PR Newswire]