For most people living with Parkinson’s disease, planning becomes more important than ever. Even small tasks, like taking a shower or getting dressed, can take much longer than they used to. Liberato A. Fusco, PhD (Libby), a Boston-based management consultant and career coach, takes planning several steps farther – and he wants to help people with Parkinson’s do the same.

Libby has designed a seminar series called No Regrets that helps create a life plan for senior citizens, people with Parkinson’s disease or anyone with a need for direction.

“I developed it primarily for people 55 and above, to help them figure out how they want to move forward with their life in the future,” says Libby. “When you’re 65 years, you might have 15 years left. How can you plan for that future. For individuals with Parkinson’s, they have a unique set of issues, but the methodology is the same.”

In one seminar, Libby asked participants to bring in photographs of themselves from different stages in their lives, and then think about the transitions into and out of those stages. Then, you can start thinking about what your next transition, or transitions, might be.

He also suggests taking a look at the people closest to you, and also estimating what kinds of transitions those people will be experiencing in 10 to 15 years.

Libby has made several career transitions himself, starting as a clinical psychologist, and moving into management consulting and coaching 15 years later.  In 2004, Libby was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and he’s excited to focus the next part of his career on helping the PD community plan ahead and make the most of their lives.

He’s planning on presenting his seminar in the Boston area soon, but the meantime, his best piece of advice for people with Parkinson’s disease is to embrace change when you need to, even as the disease and the medications that go with it create more and more challenges.

For example, Libby recently ran into an acquaintance who also has Parkinson’s disease but was on a medication regiment that was very different from Libby’s. When Libby suggested the friend give Libby’s combination a try, the man said he was uncomfortable making changes. Libby talked with his neurologist about his friend’s combo anyway, and when he shared what he said with his friend, the friend decided to speak with his own neurologist.

 “It also helps to be part of a larger group, whether it’s the Foundation itself or a support group,” advises Libby. Helping people learn how they’ll want to live their life, share ideas on what they’ve done, and find some of the things they’d like to change.