Carers Have Your Say

"Carers Virtual 2020"

Carers WA has invited all carers to participate in the Carers Australia Virtual 2020, a mock 2020 Summit - online rather than face to face.

The topic Parkinson's Australia is promoting for the Virtual 2020 is the Carer Impact Statement (CIS). Parkinson's Australia is calling on the Federal Government to design a CIS which would be a tool designed to provide Federal government departments the ability to measure downstream costs and savings in relation to carers and the economic burden of caring for people living with Parkinson's and other chronic illnesses.

To ensure this recommendation becomes a top priority we are asking you to go online and support this initiative at http://www.carers2020.com.au/assessing.php.

Comments must be made by end of August and following the summit, a report will be delivered to the Government during

Carers Week, 19 - 25 October 2008.

Parkinson's Awareness Week

1 - 7 September 2008

• Would you like to help raise awareness of Parkinson's? Join us on Friday 5 September for our "Shake a Tin" Street Appeal. Phone 9346 7373 to register your interest.

• The Parkinson's seminar for the Newly Diagnosed will be on Saturday 6 September 2008. Guest Speakers include Neurologist - Dr. Rick Stell and Parkinson's Nurse Specialist - Janet Doherty. People diagnosed with Parkinson's over the past five years are invited to attend. Families and friends are also welcome.

   

• Would you like to plan an event during Parkinson's Awareness Week to help raise funds for people living with Parkinson's? We have "Party for Parkinson's" packs available to help you host your own event. Phone 9346 7373 to order your pack.

Parkinson's Art Therapy Class - Update

With support from the Ionic Lodge, Parkinson's WA are looking to introduce an Art Therapy program designed specially for people with Parkinson's. It will be similar to programs successfully in the ACT and Victoria, as well as overseas.

The program will provide a relaxing fun session that have proved to be beneficial to many through increased self confidence through a sense of achievement, as well as improving quality of life.

The emphasis of the Art Therapy program will be on self-expression and creative painting. Experience or skill in art is not a pre-requisite. Participants join to develop a new interest and to revive their enjoyment of creative art in a welcoming friendly environment. Parkinson's WA will be appointing an appropriately trained Art Tutor to conduct the course with assistance from a few volunteers.

Canberra Artist, Nancy Tingey brought the concept of an Art Therapy program to Australia after completing a Churchill Fellowship Scholarship in 1996. It was awarded for her to develop her understanding on how art works as a therapy for people with Parkinson's.

At this point, it is envisaged that the sessions would be run regularly either on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and we are seeking expressions of interest from people with Parkinson's as to a level of interest they would have for the Art Therapy program. If you are interested in joining the course or would like further information on this program, please contact the Parkinson's WA office on 9346 7373.

Parkinson's and Driving Update

As of 17 March 2008, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) has introduced mandatory reporting of certain medical conditions including Parkinson's. It is now an offence not to notify the DPI of your medical condition. The penalty for this is $500.00. Notifying the DPI does not necessarily mean that you will lose your driver's licence. For further information, contact the DPI on 1300 852 722. Parkinson's WA has a 'Parkinson's Disease and Driving' brochure available also. If you would like a brochure, please contact the PWA office on (08) 9346 7373.

WHAT'S ON

NEW

The Tulip Story

Click here to read about the origin of the Parkinson's tulip.

Guidelines for Nursing Practice in Caring for People with Parkinson's

Guidelines for Physiotherapy Practice in Caring for People with Parkinson's

Parkinson's Information Sheets Numbers 1 to 6

Acknowledgements

The photos of tulips and wildflowers shown on various pages have been kindly donated by Tony Lush and Stan Contrades.

Disclaimer

Parkinson's Western Australia Inc has endeavoured to ensure that the information on this web-site is accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or inaccuracies in respect to the information contained in the material provided by Parkinson's Western Australia Inc. Nor is the provision of material by Parkinson's Western Australia Inc to be construed as any representation that there is no other material or information available in relation to the information provided.

Further, Parkinson's Western Australia Inc. accepts no responsibility for persons who may rely upon this information for whatever purposes.