Page 18 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2021 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

PARKINSON'S DISEASE

What You Should Know

by Jo Bidwell

ore than one million people disease with symptoms worsening A monthly support group is
in the United States suffer over time, but it is important to held the first Wednesday of each
Mfrom Parkinson’s disease. remember that it affects everyone month at 2:00 p.m. at Coulter Road
That is more than suffer from ALS, differently. The most common Baptist Church. There, interested
MS, and Huntington’s combined, symptom of Parkinson’s is a resting people have the opportunity to
and every year, 60,000 more people tremor, but it also causes rigidity interact with patients, caregivers
are diagnosed with this devastating (stiffness), problems with balance and and professionals. Speakers offer
disease. walking, and slowness of physical information about the disease and
movement, as well as thinking. other topics of interest to those who
Parkinson’s is no respecter of Additionally, it causes a litany of suffer from Parkinson’s or care for
persons. It affects men and women, secondary symptoms from other someone who does. The group also
rich and poor, old and young, and motor symptoms (changes in posture, offers a care givers support group
every ethnic group. Chances are handwriting, speech and swallowing, and an exercise class monthly.
great that you know someone, etc.) to depression, anxiety, pain, and
perhaps a neighbor, a friend from cognition; the list goes on and on.
church, a coworker or even a family If you would like to learn more
member who suffers daily from this Currently, there is no cure for about Amarillo Area Parkinson
disease that slowly and methodically Parkinson’s disease, but ongoing Society and how they can help
alters their life. research has led to numerous you, please contact Judy Cates
medications and surgical procedures 806-367-0953, or Southwest
People often think of Parkinson’s as that are now available to treat the Parkinson Society at 806-725-
an “old person’s disease”, and, while symptoms of the disease. 0941 or visit our website –
the average age of onset is 60 (hardly www.swparkinson.org or find
old today), the youngest person There is hope! The Amarillo Area us on Facebook!
ever diagnosed was only four. Many Parkinson’s Society, an affiliated
people today are diagnosed below support group of Southwest
the age of 40; some in the Panhandle Parkinson
area are in their teens and twenties. Society, is here
to help! For over
Parkinson’s disease is a brain twenty years, this
disorder that affects the cells which group of your
produce a brain chemical known neighbors and
as dopamine. This chemical is friends have been
involved in movement in the entire assisting those in
body. It is estimated that 50-70 % of the Amarillo area
these dopamine-producing cells are who are suffering
lost before any symptoms appear. from Parkinson’s
Normally, it is a slowly progressing disease.

18 Amarillo Senior Link