For the 8,000 to 10,000 people and their families in and around Tucson who are living with Parkinson’s disease — and the many people who are undiagnosed — this walk is for you.
“We want to bring the community together to celebrate how we are working together and make them aware of the foundation’s plethora of resources,” said Robin Rhea, Advancement Director of the Southwest Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “We bring all of these resources to one location so people can see what is available including information about diagnosis and research; support; exercise; home care; hospice care and more.”
The foundation is dedicated to improving quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure.
Rhea said the foundation’s resources can vastly improve quality of life for patients with the progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and other bodily functions. The wide-ranging symptoms are known for making the disease difficult to diagnose. Historically diagnosis relied on medical history, a neurological exam and ruling out other conditions, but clinical diagnosis methods are improving, according to Rhea.
People are also reading…
“There are now two medically clinical ways to diagnose Parkinson’s: a DAT Scan, which checks dopamine cells in the brain (the scan will show reduced activity of dopamine transporters in those with Parkinson’s) ... and there is SYN-One skin biopsy test now that is showing a high percentage of accuracy,” said Rhea.
Providing education and outreach about the importance of exercise in maintaining balance, mobility and cognitive skills for Parkinson’s patients is also vital, according to Rhea.
“Any sort of movement that exercise that gets the heart rate up for 2.5 hours per week helps alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. At the event, we will have demonstrations by PWR! Moves Gym of exercises that have been proven to work,” said Rhea.
Attendees can also access information and testing for PD GENEration, a global study by the Parkinson’s Foundation that provides genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, the event offers information about support initiatives for caregivers provided by the foundation.
“There are millions of unpaid caregivers who care for people with chronic illnesses and they don’t get respite or time away. We want to be there for them. We provide a care partner guide and resources that can help,” Rhea said.
