Alan Alda makes sure to stay active in quarantine to help stave off his Parkinson’s symptoms.
The 84-year-old “M*A*S*H” star, who is at the highest risk for contracting COVID-19 given his age and underlying health conditions, relies on exercise to keep him strong despite his battles.
“I began to exercise. A lot of people hear they have Parkinson’s and get depressed and panicky and don’t do anything, just hoping it’ll go away,” he told AARP magazine. “It’s not going to, but you can hold off the worst symptoms.”
He continued, “Movement helps: walking, biking, treadmills. But also specific things: I move to music a lot. I take boxing lessons from a guy trained in Parkinson’s therapy. I do a full workout specifically designed for this disease. It’s not the end of the world when you get this diagnosis.”
While quarantining with his wife, Arlene, at their home on Long Island, the couple have been going on socially distanced walks with their friends to keep moving.
“I’m having a good time, under the circumstances,” he said.
Alda announced in July 2018 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system. There is no cure for it.