Parkinson Support
by Barbara Fradkin, Aging Life Care Professional
Q: I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Who besides my doctor can I talk to about this?
A: I am a co-facilitator of the Parkinson Support Group at One Senior Place.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer’s. Its development is different in every individual. If you have a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, others in a support group can be a vital part of your care team.
Management of Parkinson’s can be complicated, including challenges in diagnosis, medications, hospitalization, nutrition and exercise. Great information is available at www.Parkinson.org/newlydiagnosed and www.michaeljfox.org. While there is no cure, there is help and hope.
Experts agree that exercise is crucial to maintaining good balance and preventing falls. Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR) is one of the ways you can exercise and maintain your strength. This physical therapy is available through Aquatic Health and Rehab in Viera. Rock Steady Boxing is another form of exercise that is gaining in popularity among Parkinson’s patients. Fun and challenging, Rock Steady Boxing is offered at Advance Fitness in Melbourne and T’Ville Uppercut in Titusville.
Healthcare providers realize that your needs for care and support go beyond symptom management. Treatment should also address your physical, social and emotional needs. Fortunately, there are now a number of Parkinson’s resource groups in Brevard, coordinating services and information for everyone in our 76-mile long county. There are meetings conducted at One Senior Place in Viera, the Central Brevard Public Library in Cocoa and Advance Fitness in Melbourne.
Remember: Support comes in different forms, and there are many resources available! Consider joining a support group with others who are on the same journey. You are not alone. Give me a call at One Senior Place at 321-751-6771 for more information — and consider joining us on Thursday, November 3rd from 11 AM to 2 PM for a Parkinson’s Educational Symposium at the Center for Collaboration in Rockledge.
One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Questions for this column are answered by professionals in nursing, social work, care management and in-home care. Send questions to askOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com, call 321-751-6771 or visit The Experts in Aging at OneSeniorPlace.com. Barbara Fradkin is a Social Worker, Certified Care Manager and the Director of One Senior Place, Viera.
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