Mi nombre es Claudia Flores. Llevo dos años trabajando como Promotora de Salud en el área de Chicago y sus suburbios. Nací y crecí en la ciudad de Chicago, en el área de Little Village.
Una de mis funciones principales como promotora es educar e informar a mi comunidad. Uno de mis roles es salir a nuestras comunidades para darles a conocer información importante, educarlos y ayudarles a aprender cómo vivir una vida más saludable.
Mi misión es educar y brindar herramientas a mi comunidad. Siempre busco seguir educándome y aprendiendo para poder presentar la información de manera clara y precisa. De esta forma, las personas pueden entender mejor y, al educarlas, les doy el poder para saber qué hacer y cómo enfrentar la enfermedad, así como compartir ese conocimiento con otros.
La enfermedad de Parkinson es una condición que tiene muchos mitos y muchas de nuestras comunidades no están bien informadas. Mi misión es educar y crear conciencia sobre los síntomas tempranos del Parkinson, para que estemos más alertas como comunidad. También busco que las personas sepan qué hacer, que tengan las herramientas necesarias y que podamos dar voz a la educación para futuras generaciones.
Get out and move with your community! Every dollar raised supports the Parkinson’s Foundation mission to make life better for people affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). At Moving Day Community Walks across the country, we’re fighting Parkinson’s and celebrating movement — proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms — and we’re doing it together. The Moving Day Community Walk Program is a complement to the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s. These walks are family-friendly and help the Foundation make life better for people with PD.
The Community Walk program offers volunteers an opportunity to organize a walk in their own community that does not have a Moving Day event. The program leverages the personal experiences and community leadership of passionate volunteers to promote Parkinson’s awareness and raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation.”
APDA Minnesota Chapter, Parkinson's Foundation, and the Udall Center at the University of Minnesota are the three leading organizations for Parkinson's disease advocacy in Minnesota.
The National Institute for Fitness and Sport in partnership with NuStep is raising awareness in senior living on the benefits of exercise for individuals living with Parkinson’s.
10 million people are living with Parkinson's disease worldwide. On April 9, 2026 we will step together to make a difference.
Join your senior living team, step solo, or start your own team as we all work toward our goal of 25,000,000 steps.
APDA Minnesota Chapter, Parkinson's Foundation, and the Udall Center at the University of Minnesota are the three leading organizations for Parkinson's disease advocacy in Minnesota.
Parkinson’s disease is one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders, impacting millions around the world. This April, in partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation, join us for the Million Meter Challenge! Whether you row, run, bike, or power-walk, every dollar raised helps bring us closer to a cure. Let’s move together, reach our goal, and make a difference for the future of Parkinson’s.
The Goal: 1 Million Meters per team (higher for biking)
Conversion Chart:
RUNNING - 62 MILES (100,000 METERS) POWER WALKING - 62 MILES (100,000 METERS) BIKING - 186 MILES (300,000 METERS)
The Mission: Raise $50,000 for Parkinson's research and support.
IN-PERSON EVENT
The Million Meter Challenge: Community in Motion
Date: Sunday, April 12 Location: The Sachs Center, Deerfield, IL Time: TBA
Join us for a day of empowerment, awareness, and movement! This full-body workout will be led by four expert instructors, designed to get the community moving while raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease. Make a difference, connect, sweat, and celebrate the power of community in motion! This event is for ages 13+.
APDA Minnesota Chapter, Parkinson's Foundation, and the Udall Center at the University of Minnesota are the three leading organizations for Parkinson's disease advocacy in Minnesota.
Orthostatic Hypotension in Parkinson’s Raises Long-Term Fall Risk
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) — a significant drop in blood pressure that occurs when you stand up — is one of the most common non-movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It can cause dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, and difficulty thinking, which can lead to falls. Generally, OH is also associated with cardiovascular problems (issues with the heart). Together, these risks highlight the importance of understanding how OH impacts health outcomes, especially in people with Parkinson’s.
A new nationwide study, published in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, explores the longer-term consequences for people with Parkinson’s who experience OH. The study was led by Hikaru Kamo, MD, PhD, a 2025 Melvin Yahr Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Research Award recipient. Dr. Kamo and his research team, based at the University of Florida’s Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, also included collaborators from the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Study Results
Using a nationwide insurance claims database, the research team analyzed records from 111,368 adults with Parkinson's disease, of whom 2,598 had a documented diagnosis of OH. After using statistical methods to account for differences between the two groups — such as age, other medical conditions and medications — the team found that people with Parkinson's and OH had a 35% higher chance of experiencing a fall over five years compared to those with Parkinson's alone. They also accumulated more total falls over time.
However, despite long-standing concerns that OH might put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, the study found no significant link between OH and major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke.
Among those with OH who were taking commonly prescribed medications for the condition, such as midodrine or fludrocortisone, fall risk was 34% higher compared to those not on these drugs, with no added cardiovascular benefit.
However, the study authors suggest that the most likely explanation is that people with more severe OH symptoms are more likely to be prescribed medication for the condition, and as a result are more likely to experience falls regardless of medication use. At this point, it should not be considered a cause-and-effect relationship until additional studies investigate further.
Overall, these findings were consistent across analyses, suggesting that OH in Parkinson's is more likely to lead to problems with falls compared to cardiovascular issues. Therefore, treatment for OH in Parkinson’s should place a strong emphasis on fall prevention.
Highlights
People with Parkinson's and OH had a 35% higher chance of experiencing a fall over five years compared to those with Parkinson's alone. They also accumulated more total falls over time.
Despite concerns that OH might strain the heart and blood vessels, the study found no significant link between OH and major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
Among those with OH, people taking common OH medications (such as midodrine or fludrocortisone) had a 34% higher fall risk compared to those not on these drugs, without any added cardiovascular benefit.
In people with Parkinson’s and OH, fall risk is the main safety concern compared to cardiovascular events.
What does this mean?
This study supports that orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson’s is more of a fall-risk issue instead of a cardiovascular one. While that is reassuring news on the heart-health side, it underscores the importance of addressing fall prevention as a top priority for people living with Parkinson's and OH.
This research also indicates that more studies are needed on the impact of OH medications. Current research suggests that OH medications primarily treat the symptoms of OH, rather than treating the underlying cause of the condition. While these results of this study show that fall risk is higher in people with Parkinson’s taking OH medication compared to those without medication, the authors suggest that this may be a misleading association. To determine a cause-and-effect relationship, further studies on this topic are needed.
How do these findings impact people with Parkinson’s right now?
Overall, the message to the Parkinson’s community is that OH should be viewed primarily as a mobility and safety issue rather than a heart problem. This study adds important evidence about the real-world impact of OH in Parkinson’s and points to the need for better fall-prevention strategies and further study of treatment approaches.
PD care should prioritize fall prevention strategies, regardless of OH status. For people with PD and care partners, this means greater emphasis on lifestyle approaches such as fall-prevention programs, physical therapy, balance training, home safety modifications and knowing if medications can increase fall risk.
If you experience OH symptoms — such as weakness, difficulty thinking, headaches and blurred or dimmed vision — discuss them with your doctor.
Learn More
The Parkinson’s Foundation believes in empowering the Parkinson’s community through education. Learn more about PD and orthostatic hypotension through our resources below, or by calling our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for answers to your Parkinson’s questions.
Sleep issues are common in Parkinson's disease, from nighttime interruptions to daytime sleepiness. This program explores the causes, symptoms, and impact of common sleep issues on both individuals with Parkinson's and care partners. Attendees will learn practical ways to improve sleep and know when to seek professional support.
Expert Speakers
TBD
This is an in-person program. Check-in, lunch, and resource fair begin at 10 am. Program starts at 10:45 a.m.
Parking: Parking is complimentary for program attendees. For driving directions, please click HERE.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required as lunch is provided. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their families and friends, medical providers/practitioners, and the community.
APDA Minnesota Chapter, Parkinson's Foundation, and the Udall Center at the University of Minnesota are the three leading organizations for Parkinson's disease advocacy in Minnesota.
Episode 188: Improving Safety and Parkinson’s Care in the Hospital
People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at a higher risk of being hospitalized and often face even greater challenges once admitted. Of the more than 1 million people living with PD in the US, nearly one third are hospitalized each year. During a hospital stay, they are more likely to receive the wrong medication, encounter missed or delayed dosages, receive medications known to worsen PD symptoms, experience limited mobility, and face a higher risk of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). These gaps in care can lead to avoidable complications, longer hospital stays, and worse overall health outcomes.
The Parkinson’s Foundation Hospital Care Initiative, launched in 2020, aims to eliminate preventable harm and promote higher quality PD inpatient care. Through this initiative, the Foundation provides hospitals with the opportunity for education, training, expertise, and the guidance necessary to improve hospital care for people with PD.
As a component of this work, the Parkinson’s Foundation Hospital Care Learning Collaborative was established to foster a peer-led group of hospitals, emergency departments, and health systems committed to improving care for people with PD. This national network of hospital and clinical leaders share best practices and lessons learned from national experts to enhance care before, during, and after hospitalization.
In this episode, we speak with Rebecca Miller, an associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry, and a person living with young-onset Parkinson’s. She is joined by Leslie Pelton, a senior program officer with the John A. Hartford Foundation. Together, they do a deep dive into why hospital safety is especially critical for people with Parkinson’s and highlight ongoing efforts to advance safer care, including initiatives such as the Age-Friendly Health Systems and the 4Ms framework.
During the episode, Leslie mentions the 4Ms Worksheet and My Health Checklist as additional tools for preparing for a hospital visit.
Released: March 6, 2026
Rebecca (Becca) Miller, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She received her masters and doctorate from Long Island University, Brooklyn, and currently works as Director of Peer Support at the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven, CT. Becca was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease at age 39 after living with undiagnosed symptoms for 10 years prior. She has served as a delegate and spoken on YOPD and parenting at the World Parkinson Congress in Portland, OR and Kyoto, Japan. She had DBS surgery in 2021 and currently lives in New Haven, CT, with her teenage daughter.
Leslie J. Pelton, MPA, is a senior program officer at The John A. Hartford Foundation. She is an outcome-oriented leader who catalyzes innovation in health systems and transforms passion into impactful action. She brings more than twenty years of experience partnering with health care leaders to transform how care is delivered and has brought these talents to the improvement of health and health care of older adults and their family caregivers in community, health care practices, hospitals and nursing home-based care. Leslie is a nationally recognized leader in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement improving the health and health care of older adults across the US.
As a movement disorders specialist, one issue that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often bring up to Sneha Mantri, MD, during office visits is stigma. Stigma stems from stereotypes and lack of understanding that can lead to judgment, delayed diagnosis, isolation and feelings of shame for people with Parkinson’s and chronic diseases.
In our latest Neuro Talk, Dr. Mantri, Chief Medical Officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation, highlights the stigma that can accompany living with Parkinson’s and how it is being researched. Dr. Mantri and the Parkinson’s Foundation believe that combatting stigma through education, storytelling and awareness efforts can help the greater PD community. Dr. Mantri highlights what stigma looks like for people with PD, research findings surrounding stigma and ways to combat it.
What is stigma?
Stigma is when a person or group is judged or treated unfairly because of a negative belief or stereotype about them. Stigma is associated with stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and exclusion. Experiencing stigma can significantly impact the lives of people living with Parkinson’s and care partners.
What does stigma look like for people with Parkinson’s?
Stigma around Parkinson’s often begins with misunderstanding. Stereotypes ignore the reality that people of all backgrounds — men and women — live with PD. Visible symptoms like tremors, freezing of gait or speech issues can be misread as intoxication or aging, rather than signs of a complex neurological condition. These reactions can be hurtful and isolating.
Many people with Parkinson’s internalize stigma, leading to delaying treatment, hiding symptoms or their diagnosis out of embarrassment or shame. In the workplace, stigma can fuel fear of being seen as less capable (learn more about employment with Parkinson’s). It can also show up as fear of becoming a burden to loved ones. Acknowledging these experiences is a critical step toward breaking down stigma.
Research Findings Surrounding PD and stigma
Stigma worsens quality of life for people with Parkinson’s. Researching stigma is critical, as bringing academic attention to the topic is critical to addressing it. Research has found that stigma:
Shapes the PD experience.
Contributes to social anxiety, isolation, hesitation to seek medical care, loneliness and emotional distress.
Misconceptions and bias lead to people with Parkinson’s being stereotyped, devalued or even avoided. This, and worsening symptoms over time, can lead to self-stigma, impacting self-esteem and depression.
Many people with Parkinson’s have experienced a form of stigma.
Stigma can take many forms. Felt stigma is when someone believes others see them negatively.
Care partners may experience affiliated stigma, facing bias because they are connected to a person with Parkinson’s.
For doctors and healthcare professionals, understanding stigma’s impact can help them respond with greater empathy and more proactive care strategies. This is crucial people with Parkinson’s and care partners, who often experience their own forms of stress and social isolation.
Ways to Combat Stigma
One of the most powerful ways to reduce stigma is through education and staying connected. The Parkinson’s Foundation works to share information about Parkinson’s to help spread awareness and knowledge, breaking down the misconceptions that fuel stigma. Explore Parkinson’s Foundation resources now.
“As a movement disorders specialist, I talk to patients about stigma. Research shows that practicing narrative medicine — using a patient’s story to guide care — helps their care team address the issues that matter most to them. This approach can strengthen independence and reduce stigma.” – Dr. Mantri
Personal stories (including My PD Stories), humanize Parkinson’s and highlight resilience. While community engagement — through events like Moving Day, support groups or exercise classes — helps people feel less alone and build connection.
Everyone can play a role in reducing stigma by knowing the signs of Parkinson’s, volunteering or sharing information to raise awareness.
Join the University of Southern California (USC), together with the Parkinson’s Foundation, for “Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease,” a free educational symposium for people with Parkinson's and care partners.
Hear from USC speakers about therapeutics, surgical updates, non-motor symptoms, and lifestyle in Parkinson's. There will be Q&A discussions after each panel conversation. Please submit your questions with your registration.
Attendance is free, but registration is required and seating is limited.
In partnership with Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence.
APDA Minnesota Chapter, Parkinson's Foundation, and the Udall Center at the University of Minnesota are the three leading organizations for Parkinson's disease advocacy in Minnesota.
After living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) for 14 years, I find the most hope in connecting with people who are newly diagnosed. Which leads me to my own story with Parkinson’s.
Early on after being diagnosed, a series of kidney stones landed me in the hospital. Some of the nursing staff had no clue as to the importance of PD medication and wanted to take my medication away. I used the Parkinson’s Foundation Hospital Safety Guide to get medication management under control and have been connected to the Parkinson’s Foundation ever since.
Look for Bob and Deb in our new PSA aiming to help people find real answers to their Parkinson’s questions.
When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, my movement disorders specialist (MDS) told me that PD is not like falling off a cliff. ‘You don’t go from no symptoms to a plethora of symptoms overnight,’ he said. After that appointment, I realized that the way doctors deliver news can quickly impact my depression and mood from one day to the next. So began my committed efforts to better my own mental health with mindfulness.
Learning to cope with Parkinson’s is an active endeavor for me and Deb, my amazing wife and care partner. Since day one we have been committed to finding ways to get involved with the PD community. We quickly found Moving Day Chicago, where our team, Martini Shakers, blended humor with PD and allowed us to build a support network I never anticipated.
I was hesitant to share my diagnosis with everyone, but my friends and business associates supported me through Moving Day. We ended up hosting fun martini parties and raising $60,000 through our team, but what was most amazing was how people showed up and continued to spur my fight, after Moving Day.
The Power of Mindset
My mindset, mindfulness and support team, have shaped our experience with Parkinson’s.
I love to talk to people when they are first diagnosed because it’s so important to talk about mindset. Their mindset is going to change how they deal with Parkinson’s. The first opportunity to start healing from PD is at diagnosis. Being involved socially, being in support groups, all of it works hand in hand. I don’t think one works without the other.
When it comes to Parkinson’s, it seems like a lot people with Parkinson’s isolate themselves and that’s something they don’t need to do, especially when the Parkinson’s Foundation is there to support them.
The Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline (1-800-4PD-INFO) has always been there for me. It can be a support system and helps you find local resources such as exercise classes, support groups and events. They can also help you find a movement disorders specialist, which is essential to everyone with Parkinson’s.
Actively Managing Parkinson’s
My care team is an instrumental part of my support network. I go to Northwestern University Movement Disorders Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, where I feel I have some of the best care available.
I think everyone with PD should see a doctor who knows Parkinson’s. When I talk to people who are new to Parkinson’s, my first question is if they are seeing a neurologist or movement disorders specialist. That can make the difference, as these doctors know the medicine, therapies and what’s happening in PD research.
Over the years, my care team has guided me from medication adjustments to deep brain stimulation (DBS), which I recently underwent. DBS changed my life. The procedure is hard to promote to people, as being conscious for the procedure is tough, but I would do it again.
To keep a positive mindset and keep anxiety at bay, I also exercise and attend PD events. Parkinson’s means you have time to adjust your life as your disease progresses. If I gave in to all the stress that comes along with it, I feel I would progress quicker. I’m able to look at things through mindfulness.
Answering PD Questions & Advice
My questions about living with Parkinson’s have changed over the last 14 years. Those first few years I had a ton of questions, mostly for my neurologist: do I really need these medications? Are there other treatments? Can I work?
But over time, my questions morphed to What exercises help my symptoms? How can I find more people with PD? How can I get involved with the Parkinson’s Foundation?
Today, I barely ask questions about Parkinson’s and focus on staying positive. Deb and I have really worked to adapt to Parkinson’s, together. But that didn’t come without surprises. After years, Deb told me she didn’t know how to talk to me about her fears because it might take away from my positivity. With this disease, people with PD can tend to neglect their caregivers and children, but for me, all my support comes from the people around me so it’s important to have these conversations.
Parkinson’s has made me more adaptable. I used to say that Parkinson’s will not define me, but the joke’s on me. I’ve written a book, given a Ted Talk, volunteered, speak about Parkinson’s and even appear in the Parkinson’s Foundation PSA. I talk about Parkinson’s all the time — it has become my identify, and I’m thankful for that.
Deb’s PD Story
Since the moment of Bob’s diagnosis, we have chosen to remain optimistic and positive. Parkinson's disease is progressive and affects each individual differently. We accepted the diagnosis; we couldn't change that but have always reacted with hope. It is our attitude that we can control.
I am a middle school instructional assistant, and I work with special education students. Every day, these students face challenges and we always try new ways to encourage and support them. This outlook has guided my experience in how I can support my husband, Bob.
Together we brainstorm different strategies to stay successful in everyday life. It's these successes and positive beliefs that give me courage and keep me happy and hopeful.
From the onset of Bob’s Parkinson’s, we got involved. We participated in many Moving Day walks as a team (Martini Shakers) and as volunteers. We hosted our own fundraisers, we attended the World Parkinson Congress, where Bob spoke with Dr. Okun, the Parkinson’s Foundation National Medical Advisor, and we continue to talk with others facing challenges with Parkinson's.
All of this inspires me and keeps me going. I truly believe making the choice to be positive and optimistic has been the key to my husband's success, and mine as a care partner in this journey.
