Resources available for people with Parkinson’s

April is almost over, and all month people with Parkinson’s disease (PWP) and their care partners have been working to find ways to raise public awareness about the disease. Each year there are nearly 1 million people in the United States living with Parkinson’s disease and more than 10 million worldwide. Did you know that almost 100,000 of these individuals live in our state of Iowa? Chances are that someone you know has Parkinson’s, perhaps diagnosed, but also quite possibly not. National projections about the increase in the elderly population over 60 years of age brings with it an increase in the number of people affected by Parkinson’s disease, making it an important public health problem.

The prevalence of the disease is much greater than what has actually been diagnosed. Parkinson’s, like other neurological conditions, is an “equal opportunity disease.” It does not discriminate. No one cultural/ethnic group is exempt from it, as is no age group. Most people develop the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease sometime after the age of 50, but it can affect younger people as well. Approximately 10% of Parkinson’s diagnoses occur before age 50. These diagnoses are called Young Onset (or Early Onset) Parkinson’s disease. Perhaps one of the most recognizable faces of this form of PD is the actor and Parkinson’s activist, Michael J. Fox, founder of the MJ Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Understanding the causes of Parkinson’s disease involves a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research suggest that a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental exposures (such as pesticides and solvents) could very well contribute to the onset of the disease.

One of the most common motor symptoms of PD is tremors (a form of rhythmic shaking), stiffness or rigidity of muscles, and slowness of movement. While these more obvious motor systems are often the first significant things noticed, there are also many non-motor symptoms. These can include sleep problems, constipation, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, among others.

Once someone has been diagnosed with PD, it’s essential to focus on symptom improvement and maintaining an active, positive lifestyle. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, exploring various medication and treatment options, as well as building a supportive health care team are all ways to work to effectively delay the disease. Support groups, therapy, social activities, and other efforts that provide opportunities to talk about PD with others who understand what you are going through are invaluable tools in fighting back. Bringing these types of things into the life of a PWP can greatly enhance their quality of life.

Washington County is fortunate to have a variety of opportunities available to support PWP and their care partners. Two support groups, one here in Washington and another in Kalona, meet monthly and provide a forum for speakers and programs that educate and promote wellness, as well as serve as meaningful social connections. The Washington County YMCA offers Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) classes twice a week for 90 minutes, providing a time to work on strength, balance, and movement, not to mention an opportunity to share experiences with others who are also Parkinson’s Warriors! If you would like more information on any of these programs, see the contact information below: