Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Parenting & Parkinson's

Parenting with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can add a layer of complexity to the already challenging job of raising kids. On this episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, we introduced you to people who are navigating the unique challenges of parenting with PD. Helena and her adult son Alex, Hiro and his teenage daughter Hanna, and John, who is the father of two toddlers. They have a range of experiences and joined us to share their insights, stories, and expertise with you. We encourage you to watch the whole episode, but for your convenience, you can jump to any of the questions we asked each guest by using the timestamps below. They shared their insights on: Telling your kids about your PD diagnosis What it’s like to help a parent with PD Talking to your friends about a parent with PD Accepting help from your children Planning for the future And more! 7:03 Hiro, how did you tell your teenage children that you had Parkinson’s disease? 09:28 Hanna, what do you remember about when you were 13 and your Dad told you that he has PD? 10:28 Helena, what is your advice about accepting help from your adult children? 11:42 Alex, as an adult child of someone with PD, can you comment on what it feels like to see that your Mom needs your help? 12:41 John, how will you explain your condition to your children as they get older? What do you think they understand at the point when they are very small? 13:50 Hiro, have you considered genetic testing to help inform your teenage children about their risk of PD? 15:42 Hanna, how does your Dad’s PD affect your life now that you are 17? Do you ever have to explain the situation to your friends? 17:07 Helena, have you ever worried that your adult children have inherited a gene for PD? 19:34 Alex, as an adult child of someone with PD, what are your thoughts on genetic testing for PD? 20:31 John, let’s say PD is interfering in your day, how do you explain this to your small children? 21:38 Alex, tell us about your video game fundraiser for APDA 22:38 Helena, do your adult children participate in your health care? Do they go to doctor’s appointments with you? 23:38 Hanna, how can I better engage my aloof 15 year old with my husband who has PD? 25:07 Hiro, Helena and John - How do you plan for the future with your children in mind? 28:57 What is boxing for PD? 30:46 Alex, how can an adult child share information about PD with their parent? 32:56 John, you are in a movie in which your character has PD. Tell us more about this! 35:05 Hanna, my 14 year old is acting like my mother - how do I change that dynamic? 38:20 Hiro, Helena and John - How old were each of you when you were diagnosed and what do you do for exercise? Let's Stay Connected 1) SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to stay informed about other APDA videos. 2) Turn On YouTube Notifications to get alerts whenever we go live or upload new content. 3) Connect with APDA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn at @APDAparkinsons.