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Parkinson's Disease: The Facts

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder that worsens over time
50,000-60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and nearly one million people in the United States have Parkinson's Disease
The cause is unknown, and there's no cure
April is National Parkinson's Awareness Month, and April 11th is World Parkinson's Disease Day

The following organizations offer information and resources to patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals relating to Parkinson's Disease:

Parkinson's Disease Organizations

National Parkinson's Foundation

The National Parkinson's Foundation website has materials for patients, caregivers and professionals. Article libraries, forums, stories and white papers are just a few of the resources available on this site.

Parkinson's Disease Foundation

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation's website has webinars and information on research initiatives, understanding Parkinson's, living with Parkinson's and getting involved.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research

The Michael J. Fox Foundation website focuses on providing information on living with Parkinson's and research opportunities. His optimistic message grows from his own experience with Parkinson's.

American Parkinson Disease Association

The American Parkinson Disease Association is dedicated to its mission to "Ease the Burden - Find the Cure." With local chapters across the United States, it continues to research, raise awareness and serve patients.

Practical Advice And Help For Caregivers

Well Spouse Association

The Well Spouse Association is a member driven organization with events and support groups for caregivers. It's focus is supporting and educating the patient's spouse.

Caregiver Action Network

From the network's website, "The Caregiver Action Network is the nation's leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age."

Products To Aid Parkinson Patients

DME Supply Group - Aids To Daily Living

Patient's with Parkinson's can find it difficult to do the most routine tasks such as putting on socks or zipping up a coat. The aids to daily living section of the DME Supply Group website has products that can help. Reachers, steady write pens, large handled utensils, non-slip socks, and dressing aids make it possible for Parkinson's patients to thrive in their home.

What Do You Think?

Do you have a favorite Parkinson's Disease website to share? Please leave a comment. Photo by Ralph Zuranski

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Monday, May 16, 2011

10 Tips to help those with Parkinsins Disease

Dealing with Parkinson's Deisease is never easy. We have compiled 10 tips to assist a caregiver helping someone with Parkinson's.

Velcro shoes are easier to manage than shoe laces that need to be tied. Another option is to have elastic shoe laces that just stretch and don't need to be tied, even less work than velcro.

Car seats made out of leather or vinyl are easier to slide in and out on. If you have cloth seats, you may want to consider putting a large plastic garbage bag on the seat, or buying a swivel seat. Swivel seats are portable, lightweight and allow 360 degrees of movement. Also nice to have incase of any incontinence issues.

Apply for a handicapped parking permit. Gives your loved one less chance of falling. This will make outings more enjoyable as you will be allowed to park closer to stores, malls, restaurants, etc. Your loved one won’t be worn out from walking across a parking lot and ready to go home before you get to the store.

Recliners and other chairs may be difficult to get out of for Parkinson's patients. Raising them 4 to 8 inches depending on the user’s height, or replacing them with an electric lift chair can make getting up easier. Medicare may cover the cost of the motor for an electric lift chair, with a doctor’s order. However, they will not cover the full cost of the chair, so check into this before you buy.

Elastic waist pants are easier to get on than pants with zippers, snaps and buttons. At this stage we're not that worried about style.

Weighted utensils help to stabilize tremulous hands. DME Supply Group has a weighted fork for around $13.

Plate guards help tremulous hands easily scoop food onto utensils without the food spilling off the plate.

Cups are available that make drinking easier by allowing users to drink with little or no shoulder flexion, wrist extension or head/neck movement. You may also consider cups with lids and straws to prevent spilling. Your local dollar store usualy has a 100 pack of bendable straws for only $1.

If using a walker, a 4-wheeled walker, also known as a rollator will offer better stability and turn easier than a NO-wheeled walker. Large wheels with swivel casters and hand brakes provide the most stability. Standard walkers that have to be picked up to move forward are not usually recommended as they can cause a loss of balance. Check with your physical therapist before purchasing any walker.

Explore the numerous a personal emergency response systems on the market. If your loved one has difficulty speaking loudly, have them get one where they just push a button that plays a recorded message to 911 if you're not there. Their are also ones that require the user to push a button at certain intervals. If they don't it sets the alarm off also.

Labels: elastic shoe laces, parkinson's disease, parkinsons tips, weighted utensils

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