Parkinson’s Disease

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Posted on 04/17/2013 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Personal HealthApril is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and AARP is happy to have The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research as a guest contributor. Check back throughout the month of April as the Foundation shares insight into the Parkinson’s research landscape, advice on living with Parkinson’s and shares next steps on what individuals can do to speed a cure. Learn more about Michael J. Fox and his return to television as he graces the cover of AARP the Magazine this month. …

In Going Public, Valerie Harper Is in Good Company

Posted on 03/11/2013 by | Who's News | Comments

Bulletin Today | Entertainment | Your LifeActress Valerie Harper’s March 11 appearance on the Today show to discuss her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer made her the latest celebrity to go on television to talk about a personal life-and-death health challenge. There was a time the famous tended to keep quiet about serious illnesses behind a protective cocoon of press agents, limousines with tinted windows and mansion walls. Often fans found out about their conditions through terse press releases asking for privacy, or though hints picked …

Medicare Settlement Helps Those With Chronic Conditions

Posted on 10/25/2012 by | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | Home & Family | Personal HealthThousands of Medicare recipients with chronic conditions — such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis  and brain injury —  may soon have an easier time getting badly needed home-health care, nursing care and therapy. That’s because of a settlement in a nationwide class action suit that removes the requirement that patients getting these services must show “improvement” in their condition.  This guideline shift, reported yesterday,  would mean these services would be covered for Medicare recipients who need them to maintain a …

The Chemist Who Made Possible Medications That Help Millions

Posted on 06/19/2012 by | Who's News | Comments

Bulletin Today | LegacyIf you take L-dopa for Parkinson’s disease, use a beta blocker for high blood pressure or angina, or even just pop a couple of ibuprofen once in a while when your knees or hips are sore, you owe William S. Knowles a debt of gratitude. As an organic chemist for St. Louis-based Monsanto Company, Knowles, who passed away last week at age 95, led a research effort from 1968 to 1972 to develop the process that would ultimately allow Monsanto to …

Latinos: Keeping your Brain Healthy

Posted on 04/13/2012 by | Washington D.C. | Comments

Personal HealthAs many people out there, one of my biggest fears as a Latina is to reach my golden years and not being able to enjoy them alongside my family because of a neurodegenerative condition like Parkinson’s disease. Regrettably, we are not trained to be on the look out for early signs of Parkinson’s disease like tremors or shaking. To keep us on our tiptoes, Congress has declared April as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month.” Our community faces a big threat: A recent …

Tackling Concussions

Posted on 10/27/2011 by | Before I Forget | Comments

Personal HealthGood news for football moms…and football dads…and football grandparents…and anyone who watches football…and, well, anyone who cares about human life and scientific research. (There must be a category you fit into.) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, at first in denial about the link between player’s repeated concussions and degenerative cognitive function or Alzheimer’s later in life, has made a laudable 180-degree turnaround. He is now a vocal champion for the safety of his players: “There is no issue of greater importance …

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