Mar 15 - Mark Church, James Medical, will discuss and demonstrate products and ideas for assistive devices, helps, as well as any new developments.
Apr 19 - Dr. Nancy Jackson, IPFW, will share results of the IPFW-Philharmonic-FWPSG Music Study recently concluded.
May 17 - Doctors Ronald and Tasha Williams, neuropsychologists, will return to discuss care giving for dementia, with an emphasis on Alzheimer's.
Jun 21 - Caring and Sharing
February Meeting
A special “Thanks” to Aimee Stir, OT at the Ft. Wayne Rehabilitation Hospital for her presentation on the “Older Driver”. She presented lots of valuable tips for us.
Driving is very important to all of us, whether we do it ourselves or have someone drive us from place to place. It is a convenient skill that we hate to lose.
In order to keep driving, we need to maintain the following skills: Visual, spatial skills, information processing, good judgment, good decision making, rapid reaction time, and good problem solving skills. Parkinson’s disease affects one’s ability to maintain these skills. A 2002 study directly links PD and the potential for car accidents. All of the PWP’s had been involved in accidents. Iowa University studies suggest PWP’s are much more likely to make errors in judgment, and they have more difficulty in unfamiliar territory, and make more safety errors. Multiple studies have been done and PWP’s always fair poorly in those studies.
When you feel that your spouse needs to “give up the keys”, there are five things you should do: Speak frankly to your spouse, consult with your adult children, consult with friends and other family members, talk with your physician, and consider a driving evaluation.
A formal evaluation requires a physician’s order, and it evaluates vision, musculoskeletal function, cognition, reaction time, attention, and processing. Then after the clinical evaluation, you get behind the wheel for your driving test depending upon the test results there are several recommendations range from continuing normal driving, to stopping completely….
Self-evaluation is always a great place to start. Do several things, including but not limited to:
· Do I use my turn signals?
· Do I wear a seat belt?
· Do I know the law?
· Am I bothered by busy intersections?
· Is merging into traffic difficult?
· Do I react differently now/
· How do I drive when upset?
· Are my thoughts wandering?
· Can I see well at night?
· Do my medications affect my driving?
· Are my “warnings and/or tickets “on the rise?
There are several transportation options:
Allen County Council on Aging – 424-2012
Citilink – 432-546
CTN – 420-3280
Gibson Mobility – 493-8070
JJR Mobility – 432-2486
Royal Transportation – 456-2311
St. Vincent DePaul Care Van – 46-3561
Various Taxi Services.
OTHER REFERENCES
www.councilonseniorservices.org
www.seniordrivingAAA.com
www.parkinson.org
Cancelations
When the city of Fort Wayne declares a “Level Two” emergency, Turnstone will close and all Parkinson’s Support Group activities will be cancelled until the emergency is lifted. This includes the monthly evening meeting, exercise, caregiver’s and speech classes.
In the event there is no “Level Two” emergency, but it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel the monthly evening meeting, the following media will be contacted:
• WOWO Radio – 1190 AM
• WANE-TV – Ch 15
• WPTA-TV – Ch 21
When Turnstone is open, exercise, caregiver’s and speech classes will meet, but you are urged to use your best judgment before you venture out into the weather.
A Note from Dan Spangler
In keeping with next month’s program from James Medical, I thought this article on the GaitAid device was timel
MediGait Announces: GaitAid Device for Parkinson's Disease Shows Significant Step-initiation Improvement in New Trial Study
PRWeb - Disorders of posture and gait are a major source of functional disability in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). These problems often respond poorly to treatment with anti-parkinsonian medications as well as other interventions such as deep brain stimulation surgery.
The disturbance of gait initiation, referred to as start hesitation, is common in patients with Parkinson's disease and is linked with akinesia, or a lack of spontaneous movement and the prolonged time it takes to initiate a movement such as stepping.
The study by the department of Physical Therapy and Neurology at the Georgia Health Sciences University, published in the Dec. 2011 issue of the Journal of Novel Physiotherapies, included 47 patients with varying degree of Parkinson's disease. 21 patients were classified as moderately-severe while 26 were early stage not yet showing gait symptoms. The patients walked with a "closed-loop" cueing device called the GaitAid by MediGait.
Taken from the Feb 12 Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation newsletter
TIPS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER:
There’s No Place Like Home-------For Growing Old
Tips from the NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
"The stairs are getting so hard to climb."
"Since my wife died, I just open a can of soup for dinner."
"I've lived here 40 years. No other place will seem like home."
WHAT DO I DO FIRST?
Planning ahead us hard because you never know how your needs might change. But, the first step is to think about the kinds of help you might want in the future, Talk to your doctor about how these health problems could make it hard for someone to get around or take care of him-or-herself in the future. Help getting dressed in the morning, fixing a meal, or remembering to take medicine may be all you need to stay in your own home.
WHAT KINDS OF HELP CAN I GET?
You can get almost any type of help you want in your home--often for a cost. The following lost includes some common things people need. You can get more information on many of these services from your local Area Agency on Aging, local and state offices on aging or social services, or nearby senior center.
PERSONAL CARE: Is bathing, washing your hair, or dressing getting harder to do? Maybe a relative or friend could help. Or, you could hire a trained aide for a short time each day.
HOMEMAKING: Do you need help with chores like housecleaning, yard work, grocery shipping, or laundry? Some grocery stores and drug stores will take your order over the phone and bring the items to your home. There are cleaning services you can hire, or maybe someone you know has a housekeeper to suggest. Some housekeepers will help with laundry. And some drycleaners will pick up and deliver your clothes.
MEALS: Worried that you might not be eating nutritious meals or tired of eating alone? Sometimes you could share cooking with a friend or have a potluck dinner with a group of friends. Find out if meals are served at a nearby senior center, church, or synagogue. Eating out may give you a chance to visit with others. Also, meal delivery programs bring hot meals into your home.
MONEY MANAGEMENT: Do you worry about paying bills late or not at all? Are health insurance claim forms confusing? Maybe you can get help with these tasks. Ask a trusted relative to lend a hand. Volunteers, financial counselors, or geriatric care managers can also help. Just make sure you get the referral from a trustworthy source, like your local Area Agency on Aging. If you are familiar with computers, you could pay your bills online.
If you are signing up for Federal benefits for the first time, you must choose either electronic direct deposit or a special debit card. Go to www.godirect.org or call 1-800-333-1795, or stop by your bank, credit union, or Social Security Administration office to start the process.
Be careful to avoid money scams. NEVER give your Social Security number, credit card account numbers, or bank account numbers to someone on the phone (unless you place the call). Always check all bills, including utility bills, for charges you do not recognize. Even though you might not need it now, think about giving someone you trust permission to discuss your bills with creditors or your Social Security or Medicare benefits with those agencies. Or, you could give overall permission to handle a variety of legal matters for you in the form of a durable power of attorney.
"Durable" means the permission remains in effect if you cannot make decisions yourself, but you can change the power of attorney or cancel it at any time.
HEALTH CARE: Do you forget to take your medicines? There are devices available to remind you when it is time for your next does. Special pill boxes allow you or someone else to set out your pills for an entire week. Have you just gotten out of the hospital and still need nursing care at home for a short time? The hospital discharge planner can help you make arrangements, and Medicare might pay for a home health aide to your home.
If you can't remember what the doctor told you to do, try to have someone go to your doctor visits with you. Ask them to write down everything you are to do, or if you area by yourself, ask the doctor to put all recommendations in writing.
PRODUCTS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER: Is it getting harder to turn a door knob or put on your socks? Devices are available to make activities you do during the day easier, The Department of Education's website, www.abledata.com, has information on more than 30,000 assistive-technology products designed to make it easier for people to do things for themselves. If you can't use a computer call 1-800- 227-0216 to learn more.
GETTING AROUND---AT HOME AND IN TOWN: Are you having trouble walking? Perhaps a walker would help. If you need more, think about getting an electric chair or scooter. These are sometimes covered by Medicare.
SAFETY: Are you worried about crime in your neighborhood, physical abuse, or losing money as a result of a scam? Talk to the staff at your local Area Agency on Aging. Do you live alone, and are you afraid of becoming sick with no one to help? You might want to get an emergency alert system. You just push a special button that you wear, and emergency medical personnel are called. A monthly fee is charged.
HOUSING: Would a few changes make your home easier and safer to live in? Think about things like a ramp at the front door, grab bars in the tub or shower, non-skid floors, more comfortable handles on doors or faucets, and better insulation. Sound expensive? You might be able to get help paying for these changes. Check with your local or State Area Agency on Aging, State housing finance agency, welfare department, community development groups, or the Federal Government.
ELDERCARE LOCATOR PROGRAM: Through the Eldercare Locator, the Administration on Aging provides information on many different services in older people. The Eldercare Locater can give you the number of your local Area Agency on Aging. To use this service call 1-800-677-1116, or go to www.eldercare.gov on the internet.
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST? An important part of planning is thinking about how you are going to pay for the help you need. Some things you want may cost a lot. Others may be free. Some may be covered by Medicare, private insurance, Medicaid, or long-term care insurance. Some may not. Check with your insurance provider(s). There is a chance that paying for just a few services out of pocket could cost less in the long run than moving into an independent living, assisted living, of long term care facility. And you will still have your wish of still living on your own.
Once you have thought about which services you will need, you can find out about Federal, State, and local government benefits at www.govbenefits.gov. If you can't get to a computer. Call 1-800-333-4636 for the same kind of help.
Are you eligible for veteran’s benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs? The VA sometimes provides medical care in your home. In some areas they also offer homemaker/home health aide services, adult day health care, and hospice. You can learn more by going to www.va.gov or calling the VA Health Care Benefits number at 1-877-222-8387 or contacting the VA medical center nearest you.
Ed's note: The key concept in this article is to PLAN AHEAD. Father Time is no respecter of individuals or couples, and he has a tendency to sneak up on the unsuspecting. Many of us could benefit by taking a good look at our own situation.
If you have ideas to share with our readers on this general topic, or others, please submit them to Ed Gatke. Today's TIPS are courtesy of the National Institute On Aging
CAREGIVERS' CORNER—
Maintaining Emotional Intimacy When Your Loved One IS Ill
In our culture, when we discuss intimacy, many people think immediately of sexuality. While sex may be a part of an intimate relationship, it in no way encompasses it. When we think of intimacy as only sex it makes it difficult to focus on the other really satisfying parts of human relationships.
Development of truly intimate relationships is difficult during times of good health and general well
being. When someone is chronically or terminally ill, and is being provided physical care, they can
find it very difficult to ask to have their emotional needs met also. Caregivers are often overwhelmed and may have difficulties verbalizing their own emotional and physical needs. There may be feelings of guilt and shame attached to having any physical or emotional needs.
The primary concern of caregivers remains how to keep their relationship with their loved one at a level that provides emotional intimacy. In counseling sessions we advise our clients to remember the 3 A's:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Good communication is the key to acknowledging your loved one. Remember, in order to communicate effectively you need to: accept your differences, listen to each other’s opinions, and not close the door on painful subjects--including the wants and desires of the caregiver. If your loved one is terminally ill, they may want to discuss their feelings about death. We would encourage you, as the caregiver, to be prepared for the inevitable and invite discussion whenever possible. As the caregiver, acknowledge the person's feelings--be supportive of their view of the
situation. Be careful not to take the attitude that "I know what is best" or, "Do what I say."
ATTENTION
Paying attention to someone involves a lot more than monitoring his or her physical wellbeing. You can let a person know that you are paying attention by listening attentively, making good eye contact and by being aware of "non-verbal" communication, including how the person holds their body, tension, and lack of eye contact.
AFFECTION
Emotional intimacy can be maintained through the simplest of physical gestures. A kiss on the cheek or forehead, coupled with a warm smile, a back rub, brushing the patient's hair, or just saying "I love you". In an intimate relationship, both parties have to maintain a balance between closeness and separateness. This allows people to maintain their individuality and a sense of intimacy. The caregiver and patient can sustain a quality of intimacy similar to what they had prior to the illness. Having a healthy respect for the situation "the other finds themselves in" is crucial to all relationships!
As the caregiver, you have emotional needs that your loved one cannot always meet due to their illness. You need to recognize that having your own needs does not take away from the wonderful relationship you have had or may still have with your loved one. They are a sign of your own "humanness". Care-givers need to maintain a network of outside support by keeping relationships with family members and friends who can provide the acknowledgement, attention and affection that is still needed and well deserved. Taking care of these emotional needs will allow you to be focused on your loved one with a relaxed, positive, loving attitude.
By: Rose M. Schreiber of TODAY'S CAREGIVER
A New Study for Cognitive Abilities
Indiana Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences is conducting research and looking for participants.
PURPOSE – Understand and describe the relationship between cognitive abilities like memory, reasoning, and reading comprehension in adults with Parkinson's
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED – Adults who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's, who have neither suffered any brain damage, nor have been diagnosed with a neurological disease, can see and hear fairly well, and are native speakers of English.
STUDY PARTICIPATION INVOLVES – 3 to 4 hours of participation spread across two sessions.
Completing short language, memory, and problem solving tasks that include speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
BENEFITS INCLUDE – Information concerning participant's current cognitive and communicative skills. When applicable, suggestions to help participants compensated for cognitive or communicative problems.
It is possible if we get enough participants, the researchers will come to Fort Wayne to conduct their research. If you have further questions contact: Stefanie Rutledge at (812)855-0666 or srrutled@indiana.edu
We will be asking for participants after the first of the year so we can participate in the spring of 2012.
Parkinson’s Disease Expert Briefings
THE Parkinson’s Disease Foundation announces its newest series of PD ExpertBriefings, free interactive educational seminars designed for people living with Parkinson’s, family members, and healthcare professionals. The seminars are available by telephone or on line and run through June 2012.
To join a PDExpertBriefing call (800) 457-6676, visit www.pdf.org, or email info@pdf.org. Pre-registration is recommended. Telephone participants will receive an event-specific telephone number which differs from the one above.
ExpertBriefings Schedule
A Closer Look at Anxiety and Depression in Parkinson’s
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
Faculty: Laura Marsh, MD
Michael DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Parkinson’s Medications Today and Tomorrow
Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
Faculty: Cynthia L. Comella, MD, FAAN
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Understanding the Progression in Parkinson’s
Tuesday, June 26, 2011, 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
Faculty: Ronald F. Pfeiffer, MD
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis ,TN
This series has been made possible by an educational grant from Teva Neuroscience. The article isd reprinted from the October 2011 issue of the Central Ohio Parkinson’s News.
Participants Needed for PD Study on Exercise
Participants with Parkinson's disease are needed for a research study at the University of Indianapolis (Krannert School of Physical Therapy). The study is investigating long-term changes in hand strength, mobility, balance, and quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease who exercise, and those who do not exercise. The study will help us to better understand the effects of exercise on the progression of Parkinson's disease. You must be able to travel to the University of Indianapolis for research sessions over a span of two years. Contact Dr. Stephanie Combs, PT, Phd, NCS, 317-788-3523. or email at scombs@uindy.edu if you are interested.
New Image Scan Helps Correctly Identify
Parkinson's Disease
wisn.com - New medical advancements are making tests for Parkinson's disease more reliable.
More than one million Americans are currently living with Parkinson's. The condition causes tremors, balance problems and speech issues.
Doctors often use physical examines to test for it, but 40 percent of Parkinson's patients are undiagnosed, and at least 10 percent who are diagnosed don't really have it.
A new image test called DaTscan is giving doctors a better chance of getting it right.
Doctors inject patients with a tracer then scan the brain for dopamine -- a chemical that Parkinson's patients lack.
"This is a game-changer. It's going to lead to earlier diagnosis and clearer diagnosis for patients with tremor," said Dr. Louise Thomson of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
An earlier diagnosis means patients can start treatments sooner and potentially slow down symptom development.
There is some debate about the effectiveness of DaTscan.
Some doctors said a negative test does not provide enough evidence to rule out Parkinson's completely.
Taken from the northwest Parkinson’s foundation newsletter
IPhone Application May Help Monitor Parkinson's Disease
Researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) have developed a novel iPhone application that may enable persons with Parkinson's disease and certain other neurological conditions to use the ubiquitous devices to collect data on hand and arm tremors and relay the
results to medical personnel.
The researchers believe the application could replace subjective tests now used to assess the severity of tremors, while potentially allowing more frequent patient monitoring without costly visits to medical facilities.
The program - known as iTrem - could be offered later this year by the App Store, an Apple Inc. website that sells iPhone applications. But iTrem will first undergo a clinical study at Emory University and must receive any required approvals from the Food and Drug Administration.
"We expect iTrem to be a very useful tool for patients and their caregivers," said Brian Parise, a research scientist who is principal investigator for the project along with Robert Delano, another GTRI research scientist. "And as a downloadable application, it also promises to be convenient and cost-effective."
iTrem utilizes the iPhone's built-in accelerometer to collect data on a patient in his or her home or office. The application directly tracks tremor information currently, and in the future will use simple puzzle games to record tremor data, which will then be processed and transmitted.
The researchers expect the clinical trial to show that data gathered by the program would allow physicians to remotely monitor the degree of disability, progression and medication response among patients with tremor-related conditions. In addition, iTrem offers a social component that allows people to share stories, pictures and data.
The program known as iTrem could be offered later this year by the App Store, an Apple Inc. website that sells iPhone applications. But iTrem will first undergo a clinical study at Emory University and must receive any required approvals from the Food and Drug Administration.
"We expect iTrem to be a very useful tool for patients and their caregivers," said Brian Parise, a research scientist who is principal investigator for the project along with Robert Delano, another GTRI research scientist. "And as a downloadable application, it also promises to be convenient and cost-effective."
iTrem utilizes the iPhone's built-in accelerometer to collect data on a patient in his or her home or office. The application directly tracks tremor information currently, and in the future will use simple puzzle games to record tremor data, which will then be processed and transmitted.
The researchers expect the clinical trial to show that data gathered by the program would allow physicians to remotely monitor the degree of disability, progression and medication response among patients with tremor-related conditions. In addition, iTrem offers a social component that allows people to share stories, pictures and data.
iTrem's developers are working with the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) to form a startup company based on iTrem and future applications that might take advantage of iPhone capabilities. ATDC is a startup accelerator based at Georgia Tech that helps Georgia entrepreneurs launch and build successful technology companies.
The GTRI team plans ongoing development of iTrem's interface, based on responses from doctors and patients. They're also investigating other consumer technologies with diagnostic potential, including the tiny gyroscopes now available in some cellular phones.
Future developments will include the addition of several other Parkinson's related tests and investigation of gait analysis in a joint effort with the University of South Florida and the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, Fla. Additional developments may utilize the phone for detecting and analyzing dyskinesia, a movement disorder.
More than 10 million people in the U.S. have tremor-related disease, including Parkinson's, essential tremor and multiple sclerosis, Delano said. Data collected by iTrem could enhance research on tremor disorders, in addition to supporting treatment for current patients, he added.
Most current measurement techniques used by doctors are subjective and are performed infrequently, Delano said. Complex diagnostic procedures such as electroencephalography and electromyography are objective and thorough, but are rarely performed because they're lengthy, expensive and require a clinical setting. The result is that little data about tremor has been available to track the effectiveness of medication and therapy over time.
By contrast, he said, the ease of gathering tremor data with iTrem could help lead to a significant expansion of research in this area, as a wealth of objective data is collected and analyzed.
"Even factoring in the cost of an iPhone, using iTrem is likely to be more convenient and less expensive for patients than office visits, and the data are accurate and abundant," Delano said.
A clinical study involving iTrem use is expected to start soon at Emory University's Movement Disorder Clinic. The study will be led by Dr. Stewart Factor, a researcher in the field of Parkinson's disease at the Emory School of Medicine.
The GTRI development team presented a paper on iTrem in January at the 2011 International Conference on Health Informatics.
Delano explained that the development of iTrem was linked to his own diagnosis with Parkinson's disease several years ago. He eventually became frustrated with the subjective approaches commonplace in the characterizing of patient tremor symptoms.
"Currently, doctors observe tremor during office visits and rate it on a subjective scale of zero to four. That approach seemed outdated to me, considering all the technology now available," Delano said. "My wife Heather, who's an engineer, remarked that maybe that we could try putting some accelerometers on my arm. That made me think of the accelerometer in the iPhone and here we are."
Source: Georgia Institute of Technology
taken from medicalnewstoday.com
