Caregiving takes many forms — from spouses, family members and friends providing daily, hands-on care, to those supporting from a distance to individuals managing care responsibilities on their own. No matter the circumstance, every caregiver plays an important role. This year, the Parkinson’s Foundation is highlighting the diverse experiences of caregivers within the Parkinson’s disease community and beyond with our theme: Real Care. Anywhere.
In this episode, we speak with CJ Polkinghorne and Nikki Logan, care partners for their spouses living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease. They share their stories of navigating the day-to-day challenges of caregiving, while remembering to celebrate the victories along the way. They emphasize the importance of communicating their needs and recognizing when it’s time to take a step back and care for themselves. They also reflect on learning to adjust expectations -- not only for their loved ones, but for themselves as well.
Released: November 25, 2025
Nikki is 40 years old and originally from New Jersey. She moved to Camden, ME at an early age of 3 with her amazing parents and older brother. They own a wine, cheese, candy, and flower shop. She grew up knowing more about high-end wine than any 15-year-old should know!
She moved to Portland, ME about 20 years ago and went to cosmetology school and makeup artistry. She worked in the corporate world for over 14 years, then moved into a whole new career and has been working with a plastic surgeon for the past 3 years. She has been with her husband for 12 years and married for 5 this NYE. He is her absolute everything, and she couldn't imagine life without him in it every single day.
CJ Polkinghorne is a Project Manager at USC and a graduate student pursuing his master’s in Museum Studies. Alongside his work as producer and co-host of the Bruh Meets World podcast, CJ is the founder of the James–Polkinghorne Queer Night Culture Collection. He and his husband, Rex, met in 2018 and married in 2023.
Since Rex’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, CJ has stepped into the role of caretaker /spouse, navigating the realities of young-onset Parkinson’s with compassion, advocacy, and humor. They live in the Hollywood Hills with their Am Staff, Logan.
We want to thank this episode’s podcast sponsor, Amneal, for supporting our mission.
La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) sigue siendo una condición con muchas incógnitas, pero la investigación constante nos está ayudando a cerrar estas brechas en el conocimiento. En los últimos años, se han logrado importantes avances en las terapias diseñadas no sólo para el manejo de los síntomas motores y no motores, sino también para frenar el avance de la enfermedad. Este programa explorará los últimos hallazgos en la investigación de la EP y tratamientos innovadores.
10 a.m. hora del Pacífico (California) 11 a.m. hora de la Montaña (Colorado, Arizona y Nuevo México) 12 p.m. hora del Centro (Texas y Ciudad de México) 1 p.m. hora del Este (Nueva York, Peru y Colombia) 2 p.m. hora de Venezuela 3 p.m. hora de Chile y Argentina 7 p.m. hora de España
*Por favor, verifica su zonas horarias.*
Presentadora
Dra. Natalie Diaz
Trastornos del movimiento, Neurología
Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
A dynamic, high-energy circuit combining aerobic activity with lower-body strength and power. Participants will move through stations designed to challenge endurance, build strength, and enhance functional mobility. This session focuses on improving cardiovascular fitness, explosive movement, and high amplitude training, all while maintaining accessibility and safety for people of varying abilities.
Instructors
Bethany Althaus, PT, DPT, NCS, PWR! Moves
Director of Clinical Excellence at Maine Strong Balance Centers
Anna Chornyak, PT, LSVT, PWR! Moves
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
What do Shakespeare, opera, and pickleball have in common? Join Kurt Brungardt for an engaging, playful session that trains your brain, body, and spirit. Through a mix of movement, vocal exercises, and expressive activities, participants will explore voice, speech, expression, and balance in ways that awaken confidence, presence, and joy.
No acting, singing, or fitness experience is required—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore. This session blends creativity and physicality, offering a unique opportunity to connect with your body, strengthen your voice, and have fun along the way.
Speaker
Kurt Brungardt
Writer, Director, Teacher, and Personal trainer
Shakespeare for Parkinson's
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
Episodio 35: Envejecer juntos en casa: Apoyo a aliados en el cuidado y familias
Noviembre es el Mes Nacional de Cuidadores Familiares, una época para honrar a quienes cuidan desinteresadamente de sus seres queridos. Este año, la Parkinson's Foundation destaca las diversas experiencias de los cuidadores dentro de la comunidad de la enfermedad de Parkinson y más allá con nuestro tema: Cuidado real. En cualquier lugar.
Cuidar de una persona con Parkinson significa prestar mucha atención, no sólo a los síntomas y las necesidades de su ser querido, sino también a su propio bienestar. Formar un equipo de apoyo, ya sea apoyándose en la familia, los vecinos o los amigos, crea una base sólida para que tenga el mejor apoyo a lo largo de su recorrido como cuidador.
En este episodio, hablamos con Joanna Fitzgibbons, investigadora de Colorado University, dedicada a la comunidad de aliados en el cuidado. Nos cuenta cómo el valor cultural de "cuidar de los suyos" a veces puede hacer que sea difícil pedir ayuda. Ese orgullo, aunque profundamente arraigado en el cuidado y el propósito, puede llevar al cansancio y el agotamiento. Nos recuerda que nunca es demasiado pronto para hablar de recursos y crear un plan de cuidados antes de que se presente una crisis.
Durante el episodio, Joanna mencionó el Conversation Project, un recurso en línea que ofrece orientación acerca de cómo entablar conversaciones difíciles con la familia y abogar por uno mismo ante el equipo de atención médica. Incluiremos un enlace aquí.
Publicado: 4 de noviembre de 2025
Joanna Fitzgibbons es Asistente Profesional Senior de Investigación y Especialista en Evaluación en el Campus Médico Anschutz de Colorado University. Con más de ocho años de experiencia en investigación, ha contribuido a múltiples estudios comunitarios centrados en las disparidades de salud, la demencia, el cuidado de personas con demencia y la evaluación de programas.
En la actualidad, Joanna trabaja como coordinadora de proyecto para un estudio acerca del cuidado de personas con demencia llamado Caregiver VOICE, que se centra en dar prioridad a las perspectivas de los cuidadores hispanos y latinos en relación con la calidad y la satisfacción de los cuidados de demencia que reciben sus seres queridos.
Joanna tiene un máster en Ciencias Sociomédicas por la Mailman School of Public Health de Columbia University, donde estudió los factores sociales, culturales, psicológicos y económicos que influyen en los resultados de salud. Su trabajo está impulsado por la pasión por atender las disparidades de salud, impulsar la investigación sobre la demencia y mejorar las metodologías de evaluación para apoyar a las poblaciones que envejecen.
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Tanto si recién conoce la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) como si ha sido aliado en el cuidado por mucho tiempo, esta guía está diseñada para usted.
La guía se organiza en torno a cinco claves para el bienestar del cuidador con estrategias que le ayudarán a:
Crear su equipo de apoyo.
Equilibrar los cuidados diarios con el autocuidado.
Reforzar la dinámica de las relaciones.
Trabajar en equipo para manejar la EP.
Planificar para el futuro.
Además de consejos prácticos, encontrará perspectivas alentadoras de otros cuidadores, actividades, hojas de trabajo y recursos importantes para ayudarle en su recorrido.
3 Essential Resources for 3 Different Kinds of Care Partners
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor care partners. This year, the Parkinson’s Foundation is highlighting the diverse experiences of caregiving with our theme, “Real Care. Anywhere.”
Care partners are essential members of the care teamfor people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the way they provide care and support can look different — from sharing a home with someone who has PD to providing care from afar to managing PD alone — caregiving is not one-size-fits-all. We are proud to provide support for all types of care partners. Here are essential resources for three different kinds of care partners:
Everyday Care Partner
An everyday care partner lives with someone who has PD and offers daily support. This can include setting up and attending appointments, helping with medications and navigating day-to-day challenges.
Whether you have been a care partner for a while or are just starting to navigate Parkinson’s disease, this guide is designed for you. It includes practical tips about things like building a support network and planning for the future, along with insights from other care partners and activities and worksheets to support your journey.
It can be hard to find balance as a care partner, but it is important to remember to care for yourself as well. These tips can help you prevent caregiver burnout, manage stress and build a support system.
3. Find a Parkinson’s support group near you.
In addition to providing a comfortable environment for asking questions and sharing experiences, support groups can lead to lasting friendships. Some groups are for care partners only, while others include care partners and people with PD. Contact our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) to find one near you.
Caring From Afar
Some care partners live away from their loved onesand offer support from a distance. This type of caregiving can include managing logistics for everyday care, finding ways to coordinate tasks virtually or providing emotional support through regular phone calls and visits.
You will be better able to provide support if you have a basic understanding of PD. Our PD Library is filled with resources to help you learn more about Parkinson’s, being a care partner and managing daily activities and long-term plans.
If you are the primary care partner and live away from your loved one, consider hiring someone to help you manage day-to-day care needs. From utilizing your network to finding in-home care providers, know that there are many options available to help you assist your loved one from afar.
Connect with other people with PD and care partners in each of your areas, learn about events and learn more about living well with Parkinson’s together, from a distance.
Solo Care Partner
Many with Parkinson’s care for themselves. This often-overlooked group acts as their own care partner, managing schedules, medications and wellness routines on their own.
The PD Solo Network is a virtual network for people with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance. This community meets monthly to share ideas, review resources and build relationships.
Ensure your home is safe and easily accessible. This checklist will help you determine if anything about your home or lifestyle should be adapted to help you live well with Parkinson’s.
Call or emailthe Parkinson's Foundation Helpline 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for answers to your Parkinson’s disease (PD) questions. Our Helpline is answered by PD information specialists who are skilled in providing the right information at the right time.
Real Care Starts Here
No matter what caregiving looks like for you, the Parkinson’s Foundation is here to help.
Planning for the future can feel daunting—but it’s one of the most meaningful ways to care for yourself and your loved ones. In this session, we’ll break down the basics of financial and estate planning in clear, practical terms. Learn how to protect your assets, make informed choices, and create a plan that reflects your values and priorities.
Whether you’re just getting started or revisiting your plans, you’ll walk away with the tools and confidence to move forward with peace of mind.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
Expert Briefing: Steady Steps - Improving Gait and Balance in Parkinson's Disease
October 15, 2025
Gait and balance issues are common challenges for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), increasing the risk of falls and impacting mobility and independence. This program provides a comprehensive exploration of the factors that contribute to gait and balance difficulties in PD, such as muscle rigidity, postural instability, and coordination challenges.
Power Over Parkinson’s is a workout designed to help manage the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. Join us for both seated and standing exercises that will improve stability, power and gait function. Gain strength and confidence in managing Parkinson’s challenges!
Instructors
Trish Froehlich, NAFC* (Coach)
Cindy Rosato, NAFC* (Coach)
Mark (PD Student)
*NAFC = National Association of Fitness Certifications
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
