The Parkinson’s Protocol™ By Jodi Knapp Parkinson’s disease cannot be eliminated completely but its symptoms can be reduced, damages can be repaired and its progression can be delayed considerably by using various simple and natural things. In this eBook, a natural program to treat Parkinson’s disease is provided online. it includes 12 easy steps to repair your body and reduce the symptoms of this disease. The creator of this program has divided into four segments to cover a complete plan to treat this disease along with improving your health and life by knowing everything about this health problem. The main focus of this program is on boosting the levels of hormone in your brain by making e a few easy changes in your lifestyle, diet, and thoughts
What are the educational resources available for individuals with Parkinson’s disease in Australia?
In Australia, there are organizations that provide learning materials for people with Parkinson’s disease, families, and care providers. They are meant to help individuals live with the condition and improve their health. Among the resources worthy of mention are:
1. Parkinson’s Australia
Parkinson’s Information and Resources: Offers a range of publications, including fact sheets, guides, and resources for Parkinson’s disease. The subjects include diagnosis, treatment options, medications, symptom management, and living well with Parkinson’s.
Online Learning Modules: Parkinson’s Australia provides online materials and study resources to help both healthcare professionals and people with Parkinson’s better understand the condition.
Support Services: Offers access to support groups and local services across Australia.
Website
2. Fight Parkinson’s (previously Parkinson’s Victoria)
Education Webinars: Fight Parkinson’s offers webinars on various subjects, such as medication management, exercise programs, and caregiving.
Living Well with Parkinson’s Program: A seminar and workshop series to help individuals with Parkinson’s and their families cope with the disease.
Parkinson’s Caregiver Resources: Includes a long list of educational resources specifically for caregivers, such as emotional support, physical care, and coping with everyday problems.
Website
3. Parkinson’s NSW
Information Booklets: These provide concise, easy-to-follow information about living with Parkinson’s, including tips on medication, speech therapy, and managing motor and non-motor symptoms.
Education Sessions and Events: Parkinson’s NSW runs education events, including seminars and online information, to educate people about research and best practice in the management of Parkinson’s.
Exercise Programs: Parkinson’s NSW also holds a lot of importance to exercise and offers educational resources on how to engage in physical exercise conducive to people with Parkinson’s.
Website
4. Parkinson’s Queensland
Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse Educator Program: This is a personalized support and education programme by Parkinson’s nurse specialists. The programme delivers instruction on symptom management, disease course, and navigating treatments.
Digital Learning Modules: These modules are designed for healthcare professionals and focus on best practice in the management of Parkinson’s, offering in-depth learning on various facets of the disease.
Website
5. Shake It Up Australia Foundation
Research and Funding Initiatives: Although primarily engaged in funding research, the Shake It Up Australia Foundation also raises public awareness about the latest advances in Parkinson’s research.
Awareness Campaigns: They run campaigns to make people aware about Parkinson’s disease, its implications, and the need for more research grants.
Website
6. Young Onset Parkinson’s eXchange (YOPX)
YOPX Platform: For individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s early on, the YOPX provides educational resources, including details on work, relationships, and managing Parkinson’s when raising a family or having a career.
NDIS Resource Guide: YOPX offers assistance for individuals with Parkinson’s under the age of 65, assisting them with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) applications.
Website
7. Specialist Clinics for Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s Clinics in Hospitals: The majority of hospitals and clinics across Australia, even major cities, have specialist Parkinson’s clinics where individuals can access education, physical therapy, speech therapy, and mental health services.
Educational Sessions: The clinics typically organize group sessions between patients with Parkinson’s disease and their families to learn about disease progression, symptom management, and treatment available.
8. Government Resources
Health Direct: The Australian Government’s Health Direct website provides information on Parkinson’s disease, diagnosis, and treatment, and care planning.
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC): The NHMRC supports and provides information on research into Parkinson’s disease.
Website
These resources are designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s and their families learn about the disease, improve their well-being, and better manage the condition through education, support, and connection with others.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) can significantly impact an individual’s ability to engage in recreational and leisure activities in Australia because it affects movement, coordination, balance, and quality of life. But in the majority of patients with Parkinson’s disease, with appropriate adjustments or support, they are able to carry out their lives. The severity of impairment depends on the stage of the disease, severity of symptoms, and the general health and adaptability of the individual. Among the various ways Parkinson’s disease impacts leisure and recreative life is through its effects on physical activities:
1. Motor Symptoms Affecting Physical Activities
Difficulty with Balance and Coordination: Parkinson’s disease often leads to trouble with balance, coordination, and motor control, which makes physical activities like walking, dancing, swimming, or sports more challenging. For example, there can be a higher risk of falling, such as hiking or playing a sport (e.g., tennis or basketball).
Tremors and Stiffness: Tremors and stiffness in hands can impair activities requiring fine motor skills, e.g., drawing, painting, playing music, or knitting. Stiffness in the limbs can interfere with activities such as gardening or body exercises like Pilates or yoga.
Slowness of Movement: Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) can find it harder to perform activities requiring rapid or smooth movements, such as running, cycling, or sports. This can lead to frustration and can decrease the desire to continue with such activities.
2. Social and Psychological Impacts
Isolation: With increasing motor symptoms, persons with Parkinson’s disease may feel ashamed or embarrassed of their physical disability and withdraw socially and become isolated. It may be more difficult to participate in group activities like community affairs, recreational team sports, or social clubs.
Depression and Anxiety: There are also mental health problems related to Parkinson’s disease, such as depression and anxiety, which can make it harder for patients to be able to enjoy or engage in leisure activities. Cognitive impairment, such as memory loss or executive function deficits, can also limit a person’s ability to plan and execute leisure activities.
Fatigue: Fatigue occurs in many people with Parkinson’s disease, and it may be difficult to stay active and interested in recreational pursuits. Fatigue makes even the easiest activities, like a short walk or visiting friends, feel too much.
3. Impact on Specific Recreation Activities
Outdoor and Nature-Based Activities: Australia’s large natural environments—parks, forests, and beaches—have a lot of recreational activities. However, uneven land, stairs, or distances become challenging for those with Parkinson’s disease, rendering outdoor activities like hiking, gardening, or trips to parks marginally more strenuous. Equipment adaptations (for example, walker or wheelchair) can be used, but ground difficulties still become an issue.
Water-Based Activities: Swimming and water aerobics are beneficial for people with Parkinson’s disease since the buoyancy of water reduces the strain on joints and muscles, making movement easier. People with Parkinson’s disease may find it hard to enter and exit the pool, and they may need assistance or accessible facilities to participate.
Arts and Crafts: Parkinson’s disease can impact fine motor, which makes tasks like painting, writing, or knitting more challenging. However, adaptive tools for the task or greater pens, brushes, or assistive devices that make gripping easier can be employed in an effort to maintain these activities.
Adaptive Strategies for Participation: Activities like golf, tennis, and cycling can be more challenging with less motor control, stiffness, and balance. Adaptive sports activities like seated yoga, wheelchair sport, or special exercise classes designed for Parkinson’s patients have been developed to mitigate these challenges and provide opportunities for involvement.
4. Adaptive Strategies for Participation
Physical Therapy and Exercise Classes: Specific exercise programs in many fitness gyms and organizations for Parkinson’s disease in Australia are offered to maintain physical fitness. The program may include a variety of exercise like Tai Chi, boxing, or strength exercises, tailored specially to the maintenance of Parkinson’s disease symptoms (i.e., to improve strength, balance, and flexibility).
Parkinson’s-Specific Support Groups and Social Clubs: These provide individuals with Parkinson’s disease the opportunity to engage in social and recreational activities in a supportive environment. Support groups will typically organize outings, crafts, and social events that are Parkinson-sensitive to the challenges of individuals with Parkinson’s. Participation in these groups can reduce isolation and increase activity participation that otherwise seems overwhelming.
Adaptive Technology and Equipment: Patients with Parkinson’s disease can utilize adaptive equipment to make activities easier. They can utilize walking sticks, scooters, or modify bicycles for cycling, for example. Technical devices, such as smartwatches or programs, can be used to help patients with Parkinson’s monitor symptoms, schedule activities, and monitor body progress, causing them to pursue entertainment activities.
5. The Role of the Caregiver
Enabling Mobility and Participation: Caregivers assist individuals with Parkinson’s disease to engage in leisure activities. They may assist with mobility, escort people out on activities, or provide physical adaptations to allow participation safely.
Facilitating Social Interaction: Caregivers can also facilitate social interaction by encouraging participation in group activities or arranging recreational activities that are aligned with the individual with Parkinson’s interests. Achieving social connections can improve mental health and reduce loneliness.
6. Community Resources and Initiatives
National and Local Support Programs: National bodies like Parkinson’s Australia and local community Parkinson’s societies in Australia provide programs, workshops, and leisure activities specifically designed for people with Parkinson’s. These can be social functions, cooking classes, art therapy, or excursions, specially adapted for people with PD.
Government-Sponsored Programs: Some government programs may help provide recreational activities for people with disabilities, like people with Parkinson’s disease. For example, grants or reduced adaptive equipment or services can help make recreational activities more affordable.
Conclusion:
Parkinson’s disease can have a significant impact on leisure and recreational activities in Australia, especially as the disease progresses. With proper adjustments, resources, and assistance, however, the majority of patients with Parkinson’s can continue to be actively involved in activities they find meaningful. Therapeutic exercise programs, support groups, adaptive devices, and caregiver assistance are critical in facilitating individuals with Parkinson’s to have an active and engaging life. As awareness increases, more accessible recreational activities are being made available, enabling people with Parkinson’s disease to continue living well in their communities.
The Parkinson’s Protocol™ By Jodi Knapp Parkinson’s disease cannot be eliminated completely but its symptoms can be reduced, damages can be repaired and its progression can be delayed considerably by using various simple and natural things. In this eBook, a natural program to treat Parkinson’s disease is provided online. it includes 12 easy steps to repair your body and reduce the symptoms of this disease. The creator of this program has divided into four segments to cover a complete plan to treat this disease along with improving your health and life by knowing everything about this health problem. The main focus of this program is on boosting the levels of hormone in your brain by making e a few easy changes in your lifestyle, diet, and thoughts