Our friends at the Division of Movement Disorders cordially invite you to the First Symposium on the Non-Motor Aspects of Parkinson's Disease. While motor aspects of PD are being better controlled pharmacologically and with deep brain stimulation, the cognitive, psychiatric and autonomic aspects are quite challenging to treat. Experts in the field will discuss each of the aspects and current management approaches.

The Symposium will be held at the Rudd Heart & Lung Building on Monday, December 7, 2009 from 12:30-5pm. The program is free, but you must RSVP. You can call the Division of Movement Disorders: 582-7654, or you may contact us and we'll be happy to mail you a flier for this event that includes a registration form.

"When Muhammad Ali and I married, he had already been diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome. Later that diagnosis was changed to Parkinson's disease...

Looking back, I wish I'd had a better understanding of the disease as well as the role of the caregiver. I have since learned a lot about caregiving that, had I known years ago, would have made life easier for me and my husband." Read Lonnie Ali's 10 Best Tips for Caregiving!

Dealing with dementia or Alzheimer's? You may wish to attend the Southeast Alzheimer's Caregiver Group at Southeast Christian Church on Thursday, November 19th at 1pm (Fellowship Hall). The guest speaker will be Ron Loughry, who will speak with his usual wit and wisdom on this topic: "Holidays: Opportunities and Challenges--Celebrate or Disintegrate."

Looking for unique holiday gifts? The MUSCL Senior Wellness Center in Schnitzelburg is opening a Christmas gift shop on Monday, December 7th at 9am (after that, the shop will be open during December on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from noon-2pm). Many of the items available are hand-crafted, and all proceeds support the work of the Center. For more information: 634-3221.

Curious about Tai Chi? Tai Chi improves balance and flexibility and is a lot of fun too! Highlands Community Ministries Senior Services invites YOU to a free demonstration on Tuesday, December 8th from 10a-Noon at St. Paul United Methodist Church (Social Hall; 2000 Douglas Blvd). Refreshments will be served. For more info, please call 459-0132.

We have many requests from folks asking for information on alternative therapies to help PD or to live better, in general, with PD. Have you tried or know someone who's tried alternative therapies that have helped? Have you used an assistance dog for PD, had acupuncture, tried Trager or Reiki therapies, done qigong massage or tried a supplement that has helped you? We're compiling information about what folks have tried that they feel helped them. Remember: discuss any therapies, exercise plans, changes to diet and nutritional supplements with your doctor BEFORE starting!

Diane Wellings shared this with us last week. "I've used Shaklee products off and on for years, (about 30). I won't go into all the reasons why I didn't stay on them all of the time, because that would take another page!

"When Shaklee introduced the new Vivix, that has resveratrol, I was very interested. As I read a testimony from a person who stated that their tremors were gone after using the Vivix for 90 days, I became even more excited. I've not used Vivix for 90 days, yet, but already I've noticed a huge difference. I am calm for the first time in a long time. I still have some slight tremors, but they seem to be diminishing as time goes by.

"I failed to tell you that the neurologist diagnosed me with the "onset" of Parkinson's. Then, after another MRI, and me telling him about my experience with the Shaklee products, he changed my diagnosis to "Parkinsonism." He asked me if I wanted to start any medication and I told him no. I'm excited to be a "guinea pig" with this wonderful product and let as many people out there know that they can see for themselves. And in time, my hope is that I will no longer have these symptoms." Diane Wellings

You can learn more about Vivix here. Please note that Diane is a Shaklee distributor and the statements on the Shaklee website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

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Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine report that genes that influence the onset age of Parkinson's disease have been identified. "...the findings highlight the importance of continuing the study of onset age of PD that could provide insight into the disease mechanisms and processes for delaying onset with implications for novel treatments."

Meanwhile, Harvard researchers have finished a study that pointed toward higher concentrations of a natural antioxidant in the body slowing the progression of PD in patients with early stages of the illness.

And here's a feel-good story that we just love, a woman who--through knitting for others--noticed an improvement in her symptoms!