Local Support Groups For Parkinsons Disease
Thanks to the Internet, its relatively easy to find local support groups for Parkinsons disease. You can search Parkinsons disease support groups near me in Google with your Location Services switched on, and you should be directed to meetings in your area. Your doctor will also be able to give you information on local Parkinsons disease support groups, as well as the numbers to call if you have questions or need advice.
The American Parkinsons Disease Association has a useful tool for anyone trying to find support in their community, where you can search by zip code to find groups, classes and resources in your area.
Alternatively, you can search for online support groups for Parkinsons disease if you dont feel like meeting up in person. Online support groups can be a great help for those in the later stages of Parkinsons, where driving and getting around become increasingly difficult.
Some people with late-stage Parkinsons disease have difficulty with speech, while others find that tremors and dyskinesia make it difficult to type on a computer or smart device. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to Parkinsons support groups. It can be helpful to try a few different Parkinsons disease support groups to find out what works best for you.
Medicaid / Hcbs Waivers
Under Medicaid, some family members can be paid as caregivers.
Nursing Home CareHome and Community Based ServicesPCA / PCS Programs
PCA stands for Personal Care Assistance or Personal Care Attendant and PCS for Personal Care Services. These are regular Medicaid programs that will pay a caregiver to come to ones home and provide personal care such as assistance with the activities of daily living An especially attractive element of these programs is the fact that often times, the paid caregiver can be someone familiar to the individual with Parkinsons. Friends and certain family members can be hired as paid caregivers. The downside of PCA / PCS programs are that the hourly wage that caregivers receive is very low and this is an optional Medicaid benefit. This means not every state offers this option as part of their regular Medicaid programs. A list of states which do offer PCS can be found here. Be aware that this list is not exhaustive and if one does not see their state listed, they should also inquire with their state Medicaid office if such a program is available in their state.
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On behalf of our entire family, we should like to thank you for the wonderful care you gave to our father Howard in his home. Dad was particularly fond of Michael as a caregiver. It takes special people to work with those who are frail. Thank you again for your support and patience with all of us during a difficult time.
Jim, Carolyn, and John K, Albuquerque New Mexico
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Icipate In Clinical Trials
Clinical trials provide another avenue for getting needed medications, as well as providing an opportunity for people with PD to participate in research that can benefit the larger Parkinsons community. In a clinical trial, medications and basic healthcare monitoring are covered.
To find current PD trials, go to ClinicalTrials.gov or Fox Trial Finder on the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research website.
Vitamin B12 And Folate
Vitamin B12 is an antioxidant. It helps keep red blood cells and nerve cells healthy and helps produce DNA. Sources of vitamin B12 are typically red meat, chicken, sardines, eggs, fortified cereals and bread, and nutritional yeast.
Researchers discovered that patients with early-onset Parkinson’s disease had lower vitamin B12 levels, which reduced motor and cognitive functions. In some cases, taking a multivitamin that included vitamin B12 slowed the loss of those functions.
Folate is found in organ meats , yeast, and leafy green vegetables. Folate plays several roles in the body and brain.
Both B12 and folate are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid. High levels of homocysteine are seen in various cognitive disorders. Studies show that Parkinson’s disease patients taking levodopa for the condition are also more likely to have elevated homocysteine.
In one meta-data analysis, researchers investigated the correlations between cognitive function , homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease. They discovered that patients with cognitive dysfunction had high levels of homocysteine and lower levels of folate and vitamin B12.
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Volunteer To Help Out
Everyday responsibilities like shopping, cooking, and cleaning become much more difficult when you have a movement disorder. Sometimes people with Parkinsons need help with these and other tasks, but they may be too proud or embarrassed to ask for it. Step in and offer to run errands, prepare meals, drive to medical appointments, pick up medications at the drug store, and help with any other day-to-day tasks they have difficulty with on their own.
Medications For Parkinson’s Disease
After youve received a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease, your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the diseases progression at the time you were diagnosed. Current pharmaceutical treatments include:
- Levodopa is a primary treatment for movement, tremors, and stiffness. Levodopa helps nerve cells make dopamine. This medication is also taken with carbidopa so that levodopa can reach the brain and stop or reduce side effects from the drug, such as vomiting, nausea, and low blood pressure.
- Dopamine agonists mimic dopamine in the brain but are not as effective as levodopa in controlling symptoms like muscle movement and rigidity.
- Catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors block an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. They are taken with levodopa and slow the bodys ability to get rid of levodopa.
- MAO B inhibitors block monoamine oxidase B , a brain enzyme that breaks down dopamine. This allows dopamine to have longer-lasting effects.
- Anticholinergics aid in reducing tremors and muscle stiffness.
- Amantadine was first developed as an antiviral agent and can reduce involuntary movements caused by levodopa.
- Istradefylline is an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist. It is used for people taking carbidopa and levodopa but who experience off symptoms.
These drugs can have a variety of side effects. Be sure to discuss your medications with your doctor so you understand how and when to take them, what side effects may occur, and when to report any concerning side effects.
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Right At Homes Trained Care Experts Can Help
If you are one of the 1 million Americans with this chronic condition, you know that symptoms generally develop slowly over the years. Our goal is to be there for you as the disease progresses, providing as much or as little care as needed. Right at Homes specialized home care teams know just how to work with the muscle stiffness and tremors to help prevent frustration and falls. We also help individuals with Parkinsons disease stand strong with these beneficial caregiving services:
What Are Medicare’s Coverage Options
Medicare is offered through the federal government as a fee-for-service program, designed to provide affordable health insurance coverage to elderly and disabled Americans. Medicare has two parts: Part A and Part B .
Part A Medicare coverage includes:
- All normal hospital services
Part B Medicare benefits require that you pay a monthly premium. You must also be entitled to Part A benefits to receive Part B benefits.
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Stay Current On Parkinsons News In Canada
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Seek The Counsel Of A Social Security Attorney When Applying For Disability With Parkinson’s Disease
If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, the symptoms which prompted the diagnosis may also serve as the qualifications for Social Security Disability benefits.
With the amount of documentation necessary to prove the presence of these qualifying criteria, it would likely be in your best interests to have your case evaluated by a Social Security Disability attorney who may be able to help with your claim.
While the degree of impairment caused by these symptoms may seem obvious to you, having them sufficiently documented so their impact is adequately illustrated on paper is imperative to receiving a positive decision from the Social Security Administration.
Working in close collaboration with your healthcare providers, an experienced Social Security Disability attorney can be sure the proper documents are provided when your application is submitted so your benefits can begin as soon as possible.
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Does Parkinsons Disease Get Cured
Sadly, no. Crafts are encouraged to improve on some of the symptoms of Parkinsons Disease but not altogether remove them.
Parkinsons Disease is a debilitating disease that affects an individuals motor skills.
It may hamper an individual from engaging in physical activities in its advanced stages.
Crafts for Parkinsons patients are considered complementary therapies recommended to delay the progression of symptoms, making the individual feel that he has lost his sense of control.
These creative pursuits can significantly relieve the patient of emotional stress and encourage social interaction when done in groups.
All these benefits are meant to improve their physical and psychological well-being.
What are your favorite crafts for seniors who have Parkinsons? Please share below!
Resources
- 1. National Institute on Aging. Parkinsons Disease . National Institute on Aging. 2017. Available from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease#:~:text=Parkinson
- 2. Art Therapy to Improve Parkinsons Symptoms . ParkinsonsDisease.net. 2018. Available from: https://parkinsonsdisease.net/research-studies/art-therapy
- 3. Art Therapy for People Living with Parkinsons . Davis Phinney Foundation. 2017. Available from: https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/art-therapy/
- 4. Bae Y-S, Kim D-H. The Applied Effectiveness of Clay Art Therapy for Patients With Parkinsons Disease. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2018 23:2515690X1876594.
How Can The Nba Help
Having assisted thousands of Canadians in successfully claiming disability credits, The National Benefit Authority is Canadas largest disability tax service provider. Our experts can help determine your Disability Tax Credit eligibility, and walk you through your Canadian Disability Tax Credit application. Disability Tax Credit amounts vary on a case-by-case basis, but can be upwards of $50,000 per application!
Parkinsons is a disorder that needs constant attention due to its progressive nature time spent sifting through paperwork and research can be left to someone else. We can guide you through every step towards recovering your Parkinsons disease disability benefits, ensuring you and your family finds the support you need.
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Making Your Home Safe
As Parkinson’s progresses, a person with the condition experiences more mobility issues. They’ll need more assistance going about their day-to-day lives. Getting around their home safely might also become a little more challenging.
Here are a couple of things you can do to make your home safer for a person with Parkinson’s disease:
- Keep the floors clear: Any things that can easily be tripped over on the floors of your home, like electrical cords, should be kept away. Keep the usual path they take through the house as clear as possible.
- Install ramps when needed: At the later stages of Parkinson’s, a person’s mobility might become so restricted that they need a wheelchair. It’s essential to make your home wheelchair-friendly and accessible if this happens.
- Make your bathroom safer: Install grab bars around the tub and anti-slip mats in them if you have a bathtub. Also, keep personal hygiene products within easy reach to prevent them from slipping or falling over trying to reach for them.
What Benefits Can You Claim If You Have Parkinsons
There are a couple of benefits you can claim if you have Parkinsons, which are SSDI benefits and Medicare. The first being Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI.
SSDI benefits are one of the two programs that the Social Security Administration offers and it is for those who at one point were able to work, but can no longer work for at least 12 months because of a disability or a severe ailment like Parkinsons Disease.
In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, you need to be deemed disabled by the SSA and you need to have a sufficient amount of work credits.
Work credits are calculated by your age and how long you have worked. If you are SSDI benefits, under certain conditions, your family members like children under the age of 18 or your spouse.
The other benefit that you can claim if you have Parkinsons is Medicare. Medicare is a federal program for those with disabilities and for people 65 and over.
If you qualify for SSDI benefits with Parkinsons, you will also qualify for Medicare as well. You automatically get Medicare Part A and Part B after you get one of these:
- Disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months
- Certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months
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Stay On Top Of Insurance
If you were always the one who handled questions of insurance coverage, great but if not, you may want to familiarize yourself with the terms of your health insurance. Youll need to know details about if and to what extent your plan covers prescriptions, therapy sessions and other unexpected items.
How Long Does It Take To Get Disability For Parkinsons
Unfortunately, there is no clear answer on how long it will take you get to get disability benefits for Parkinsons.
After your initial application is complete, it will take the SSA around 3-5 months to get back to you with a decision regarding your claim.
The exact time varies depending on the time it takes for you to get all of your medical records and information over to the SSA to make a decision.
If the SSA denies your application, you are able to appeal the decision, but that will prolong the time it takes for you get disability for Parkinsons.
The more medical evidence and documentation you have to support your claim with Parkinsons, the shorter time it could take for you to get the benefits you deserve.
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Be Honest With Each Other
A trap some caregiver-patient partners can get into is one person becoming the nurse while the other is demoted to helpless patient. Thats not productive and can end up being harmful if, for example, the caregiver takes on responsibilities that the person with Parkinsons is perfectly capable of doing.
As a caregiver, try to start an open dialogue for tough conversations with your loved one where you come to an agreement about when the loved one truly needs help.
Do You Know About Other Organizations/systems That Provide Financial Help To People Living With Parkinsons
If so, please let us know about them in the comments. There are so many people out there who dont have access to the funds they need to take the medications that will truly help them live well with Parkinsons. We dont want anyone in that position so, if you have a story about how you received the help you needed, please leave a comment or email us at .
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Develop A Financial Plan
Dealing with a chronic illness is unpredictable, there is no way to know how you will feel or what you will be able to do days, months, or years from now. But, for your own security and that of your family, you need to plan ahead, and assume that Parkinson’s will lead to increasing disability. There are professional financial managers and medical lawyers that deal with financial planning for people with chronic illnesses. Ask your doctor for a referral, or speak with a national association or support group to find a reputable professional in this area.
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Other Tips For Caregivers
Arming yourself with the proper knowledge and preparing for the degenerating symptoms of the condition are the first and most essential steps for a caregiver taking care of a loved one with Parkinson’s disease.
Other tips that can make this challenging prospect a little more manageable include:
- Maintain a healthy diet: Maintaining a healthy diet for your loved ones is as important as ensuring they stay on their medication and treatment plan.
- Ask for help: Don’t feel like you have to take on all of the care alone. If you can afford it, you can hire assistance or reach out to other family and friends to help you with the care.
How Does The Disability Tax Credit Help
Based on the assortment of complications Parkinsons can lead to, as well as the challenges presented from the condition itself, the disorder is classified as a disability by the Canadian government. To help offset the costs of extra care or medical treatments, the Canada Revenue Agency provides disability tax benefits like the Canadian Disability Tax Credit for families coping with Parkinsons.
Despite disability tax refunds readily available for many eligible Canadians, unclaimed disability tax credits are all too common. The DTC application process is notoriously tricky to navigate, pushing people away from even submitting their T2201 form altogether.
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