According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative condition. It affects 1-1.5 million people in the U.S. and is often associated with a variety of symptoms, including tremor, stiffness, movement disorders and balance impairments.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains that nerve cells control muscle movement with a brain chemical called dopamine. For individuals with Parkinson’s disease, the cells that generally produce dopamine are slowly destroyed. This makes it difficult or impossible to send message between the brain and the muscles, leading to a loss of muscle function that worsens over time. While it is most common in men and women over the age of 50, Parkinson’s can occur in younger adults and (though rarely) in children. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but treatment aims to control symptoms.
Griffin Associated Support Group for People with Parkinson’s (GRASPP) invites individuals with Parkinson’s disease, family members and caregivers to a group discussion on Monday, August 6, at 12:00 pm in the Center for Cancer Care, 1st Floor Conference Room, 350 Seymour Avenue, Derby CT.
Staff from the Rehabilitation Services Department of Griffin Hospital will be discussing strategies for living with Parkinson’s disease in effort to conserve energy, maximize function and improve quality of life. They will also offer specific tips to assist with common daily tasks such as dressing, cooking, shopping, and doing housework.
For more information, please (203) 732-7445.