Lincoln County Healthcare Registered Dietitian Ann Boe will discuss nutrition for people with Parkinson’s at the November 7 meeting of the Lincoln County Parkinson’s Disease Support Group.

The Lincoln County group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. at Chase Point Assisted Living on the Miles Campus of LincolnHealth in Damariscotta. People with Parkinson’s disease as well as their caregivers and loved ones are invited to attend.

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking (tremors) and difficulty with walking, movement and coordination. The condition can make it difficult or impossible to drive, use a computer or communicate clearly.

Boe said people with Parkinson’s face a number of specific issues when it comes to nutrition, including how certain foods will interact with their medications.

Some Parkinson’s medications, for example, are not as effective if taken about the same time that protein is eaten.

At the same time, however, nausea can be a problem if medications are taken on an empty stomach. And people with Parkinson’s also need to maintain a healthy amount of protein in their diet to minimize the loss of lean muscle, which can lead to a worsening of symptoms.

Following her presentation, Boe will take questions.

Started about a year ago, the therapy group is run by and for people with Parkinson’s to offer people with the condition the chance to share information and talk about their experience.

Jennifer Bryce, a speech therapist at Lincoln County Healthcare who works with people with Parkinson’s to help them increase the volume and clarity of their speech, said it is important that people learn about the resources in their own community that can help them improve and maintain their quality of life.

As a therapist, Bryce helps people with Parkinson’s disease increase the volume and clarity of their speech. But while there are many therapies that can offer real benefits, she said some questions can only be answered by others who are also struggling with the disease.

“I think it helps people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to know what questions to ask and what other resources are available,” said Bryce.

For more information, please call Jennifer Bryce at 207-633-1864 or email jennifer.bryce@lchcare.org.