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Dear Marilyn, The National Parkinson's Foundation has opened up at Parkinson's center in Fort Lauderdale and one in Palm Beach The one in Ft. Lauderdale is at the north Ridge Medical center and the number is 954-938-4800. The one in Palm Beach is at St. Mary's medical center and the numberr is 561-840-6112. These are staffed with movement disorder specialists hand picked by Dr. Abraham Lieberman, the director of the NPF in Miami. I dont think you could go too wrong contacting one of these centers and I think your dad would get more specialized help that it sounds like he needs. NPF has many free publications that will help you and your dad learn about alot of things you are asking about. Hope this helps. I am scheduled to go to the center in Jacksonville on Tues. and the folks I have talked to there seem very knowledgeable and helpful. They stress the need for communication between patient and doctor by phone or whatever. This was a big issue for me as I went to Emory Univ. in Atlanta, one of the best, but they will not return a phone call with a question. It was a 3 hour drive each way and I couldnt just drop everything and blow a whole day just to ask a question or two. Best of luck and let us know how things work out for you and your dad. Jennifer Smith Marilyn Gang wrote: > Thank you ALL for such warm messages, both on and offlist. > I don't usually act like such a whiney kid but something made > me speak up that way. I'll respond off list to some of you before > the end of this weekend. > > It's been 6 weeks since I've really come to grips with Dad's situation. > He's had PD for 2 years but does not talk about it, discuss it, ask > questions on it. Some of this is good, as one does not give in to things, > but again, there needs to be balance, to share pitfalls as well as > triumphs with ones children. > > So it was not until my visit with him last month that I saw and finally > started to understand what was going on with him, came home and started > researching, asking questions. > > And I am determined to help him, to help him in ways I know how and > realize that they must be matched with what he would want and accept and allow. > > In saying the above, Dad is in Boca Raton, Florida. > He is seeing a neurologist, and, from what I've been told, it would be > a good idea if he were checked out by a specialist. He also says the > medication does not seem to make a difference, he thinks he is improving > but he is not sure. (I'm not sure either.) He has not been told about > the timing, nor about protein influence, etc. > > - Should a specialist be a neurologist? AND a gerontologist? > (if yes to a gerontologist, what advantage does that bring?) > > - Has anyone had any experience, and therefore any recommendations > with the centers in Fort Lauderdale and/or West Palm Beach? comments? > What do these centers do for you? > > I would fly down there to go with him to any evaluations and help him > get started with anything he needs to do. Do you think this this help? > > - Any recommendations for doctors in Area Code 561? > > I have found 2 support groups nearby and will tell him about them. > I hope he goes. > > Thank y'all for being there and for being so responsive. > > Wishing you a beautiful day. > > - Marilyn - > > Marilyn Gang [log in to unmask] Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Ars Longa - Vita Brevis Art is Long - Life is short :(:) )