Congratulations! Walt

>Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]>

>Subject: Parkinson residence

>Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 18:42:06 EST

>Dear PIEN readers,

>Let me introduce myself. I am Marge Moylan. I have Parkinson's which was

>diagnosed in 1986. I am 57 now, and have symptoms that go back to my late

>30s. I am a member of the Central New York Parkinson's Support Group, Inc.

>which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next month. Six of our

>members including me are serving on a steering committee at the Presbyterian

>Home of Central New York which is in the process of planning a wing which

>will be a residence for PWP.

>I know some of your are aware that the Presbyterian Home has opened this

>Parkinson wing. It seems to be a first. We can't find another like It.

>Currently the wing has about 6 residents with PD. It is a gradual changeover

>from an ordinary wing to the Parkinson's wing. At this point staff on that

>wing have had special training in caring for the Parkinson patient to be more

>sensitive to our needs. But down the road there will be a complete renovation

>of this wing to make it as Parkinson friendly as possible. What we are

>looking for right now are ideas, suggestions of specific things that should

>be included in the design of the rooms, hallways, and common areas that would

>make these suitable, accessible and useful for PWP. We need suggestions to

>pass on to our architect.

>We have talked about things like a place where we can sit up late to talk,

>read, watch TV because we have so much trouble sleeping, and things like

>lines at intervals that are part of the carpeting, to step over to break a

>freeze, and handrails on outdoor walkways. We've suggested an exercise room

>right on the unit in addition to the large rehab center, so that a PWP can go

>in on his "on" time to get some exercise when it's useful to him. These are

>the kinds of things we are looking for.

>If you have any ideas that you would think would make life in a residence

>such as this better for PWP, please let us know. You can e-mail suggestions

>We are about to enter the fundraising aspect of this project and need some con

>crete ideas about what we can do to be the biggest help to PWP.

>Thanks so much. Hope to hear from some of you.

>Marge Moylan

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