Parkinson’s disease affects millions worldwide and can be a debilitating condition, but it won’t stop us from putting a spring in our step during Parkinson’s Week. This annual event aims to raise awareness of the disease, offer support to those affected by it, and encourage everyone to get active and stay healthy. So, let’s take a positive approach to Parkinson’s and embrace the opportunities to learn, connect, and move our bodies during this important week. Whether you’re living with Parkinson’s, caring for someone who is, or just curious to learn more, there’s no better time to get involved than now. Let’s put pep in our step and make a difference!
‘A Pep in Your Step for Parkinson’s’ is the theme of this year’s Parkinson’s Awareness Week in Ireland, organized by the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland (PAI). Running from April 11-16, the campaign aims to shed light on Parkinson’s disease, provide information about treatments and support services for clinicians and patients, and increase awareness about the condition. Parkinson’s nurse specialist at PAI, Lisa Wynne, reported a lack of knowledge among the general medical community about Parkinson’s due to a lack of education or awareness in college. Many healthcare professionals seeking knowledge about Parkinson’s call her and her team. A majority of patient calls inquiring about the disease are related to queries on medication and psychological issues. Optimizing medication and addressing psychological needs are critical components of the care that patients need, according to Lisa.
A University College Cork research, supported by PAI and published in the Irish Medical Times (IMT) in February, revealed delays for patients with Parkinson’s in accessing diagnostic services, with almost 43% seeing their specialist once a year or less. In addition, staffing shortages hamper access to necessary medical attention that patients need. The Neurological Alliance of Ireland launched a campaign to enhance access to nursing specialists, which resulted in the creation of 23 new neurology nurse specialist posts for the Irish healthcare system, including six posts for Parkinson’s. The Deep Brain Stimulation National Service, located in Dublin’s Beaumont and Mater hospitals, provides DBS surgery to complex Parkinson’s patients who are resistant to medications. The surgery involves the implantation of an electrode into the brain, which is turned on six weeks after surgery. Accessing the necessary treatment in the UK or even farther afield is the only option for Parkinson’s patients in some cases.
Parkinson’s Awareness Week includes several virtual events that will dive into Parkinson’s disease and women, mindfulness, yoga, and exercise. An online video call with patients to answer their questions is also planned. The week will conclude with the PAI’s national conference on April 15th. The conference will address recent research into exercise and Parkinson’s Disease, the potential benefits of aquatic therapy in managing disease symptoms, the impact of speech and language therapy for Parkinson’s patients, the importance of gut health, and personal experiences with early onset Parkinson’s Disease. Clinicians and the public can attend the virtual conference by visiting parkinsons.eventxlive.com on Saturday, April 15th, at 2:00 pm. Links to other events during the week will be made accessible via parkinsons.ie.
The theme of the week, ‘A Pep in Your Step,’ reflects the idea of increasing education among people about different activities they can incorporate into their lives to help with Parkinson’s. For some people, it means focusing on exercise, while others require support from peers with similar experiences. The goal of Parkinson’s Awareness Week in Ireland is to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease and provide support to clinicians and patients.
Let’s take this opportunity to put some pep in our step and celebrate Parkinson’s Week. It’s a time to raise awareness, promote understanding, and support those living with Parkinson’s disease. Together, we can help create a world where Parkinson’s is no longer a burden on individuals or their families. So let’s keep pushing, keep walking, and keep advocating for Parkinson’s research and treatment. Remember, every step we take brings us closer to a brighter, healthier future for all.
