>From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Exercise Important For People With Parkinson's
>Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 22:05:05 -0800
>
>Exercise Important For People With Parkinson's
>Thursday, 28 October 2004, 4:16 pm
>Press Release: Parkinsons New Zealand
>28 October 2004
>
>Exercise important for people with Parkinson's
>
>We all know the importance of making exercise part of everyday
>living. For people with Parkinson's disease exercise is a strategic
>component, helping to improve body strength and muscle tone, and
>slowing the progression of the condition. As well as improving
>general health and well-being, exercise seems to improve the body's
>response to dopamine - a component of most Parkinson's medications.
>
>"People with Parkinson's are advised to get around 20 to 30 minutes
>of exercise each day," said Parkinson's New Zealand National Director
>Deirdre O'Sullivan. "Stretching exercises are particularly
>beneficial."
>
>Research has shown that exercise can significantly reduce falls, a
>common problem for people with Parkinson's. Strength, flexibility and
>balance exercises will decrease the risk of falling. Exercises to
>build strength and flexibility are part of an exercise booklet and
>poster produced by Parkinson's New Zealand as part of this year's
>Parkinson's Awareness Week theme Keep moving, keep fit. Awareness
>Week is runs from 1 to 7 November.
>
>Parkinsons New Zealand is the only organisation that provides
>support, education and information to people with Parkinsonism
>conditions, their families, carers and health professionals.
>Parkinsons New Zealand has divisions and support groups throughout
>New Zealand. The divisions are run by volunteers and employ 35
>professional Field Officers who visit people in their homes providing
>information and education, act as advocates arranging extra
>assistance where needed, as well as co-ordinating exercise classes
>and social activities.
>
>The organisation also has a special interest group called Upbeat for
>people with young onset Parkinson's.
>
>Parkinson's affects 1 person in every 500 - over 8,000 New
>Zealanders.
>"While being more common in those over 65, the condition also affects
>people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s," said Ms O'Sullivan. "As we live
>longer it means more people in the community will be living with
>Parkinson's or will know someone who is affected."
>
>Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive condition which occurs
>when insufficient quantities of the chemical dopamine are produced by
>the brain. This causes many changes in the body's ability to initiate
>movement and can affect balance and coordination. Symptoms vary in
>individuals but the main ones are tremor, slowness of movement and
>rigidity.
>
>Learning to pace yourself, prioritising goals and making timely use
>of physical, occupational and speech therapy can be beneficial.
>
>Exercise can make all the difference to how you enjoy life; maintain
>mobility and independence. Maintaining a positive attitude is one of
>the healthiest things you can do in life, particularly for those
>people living with Parkinson's.
>
>Although there is no cure yet, with support, encouragement and a
>positive attitude people with Parkinson's can lead active lives for
>many years. The main form of treatment is medication, and there's a
>lot of research going on both in New Zealand and overseas to find a
>cure.
>
>Living with Parkinson's can be difficult for people with Parkinson's,
>their families and carers. Ms O'Sullivan said, "Imagine not being
>able to smile at a friend or hug your child, and permanently feeling
>exhausted. Imagine visibly shaking and being unable to pick up a cup
>of coffee. This is what life with Parkinson's can be like some days."
>
>People with Parkinson's continue to think the same way, but can be
>slow to react, have difficulty communicating and can appear
>unresponsive. A lack of understanding from people around them often
>adds to the distress.
>
>Parkinsons New Zealand would like people to think before commenting
>when someone is holding up a queue or doesn't respond to a question -
>"perhaps that person has Parkinson's".
>
>There are things that people with Parkinson's can do to dramatically
>increase their quality of life by making some practices part of their
>daily routine. Ms O'Sullivan said, "Regular exercise, being part of a
>support group, maintaining a healthy diet and having accurate
>information about Parkinson's are just some of the things people
>might consider.
>
>"Working together with our Parkinson's Field Officers and divisions
>people can ensure that they are managing their condition in the best
>possible way."
>
>SOURCE: Scoop Media - 27-Oct-2004
>http://tinyurl.com/587ac
>
>* * *
>
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Good Afternoon,
I am a student of Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts. I
am in the Occupational Therapy Program. I joined your listserve to learn
from your experiences in order to write a paper for my Language Module
class.  More importantly, I chose PD to study, to help in supporting a
wonderful gentleman from Rhode Island in my role as support staff, for an
agengy called Living in Fufilling Environments, LIFE, Inc.. I would like to
thank you all for the experience of sharing your thoughts, struggles, and
words of wisdom. I would like to use some of this info in my paper & hope it
will be all right for me to quote some of the statements that should not be
broken down.
Many thanks, Maria Lombardo OTA/s

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