CT
News
FYI
RESPITE CARE AND LIFELINE GRANTS
The Connecticut Chapter recognizes the need for supportive services throughout the Parkinson community including programs such as respite care and emergency response systems. Respite care, quite simply, is the offer of caregiver relief from the constant physical and emotional demands of assisting the person with Parkinson’s disease in the home. The Chapter is offering in-home respite care grants to any interested caregivers. With Griswold Special Care, an agency that specializes in quality companionship, personal care, and homemaking services, a fee schedule has been established. These costs will be partially subsidized by the Connecticut Chapter.
Lifeline is a personal response service that provides friendly, caring support, allowing older adults to get immediate assistance in a medical emergency or when help is needed. Since 1974, Lifeline has helped millions of older adults and those who are physically challenged to live at home with full confidence. Their families and health care providers have peace of mind knowing that the Lifeline service will summon appropriate help when needed. The Chapter is covering half the monthly cost of this service for individuals.
Both the respite and the Lifeline grants are available statewide. If you are interested in either of these programs, please call the I & R Center for more details at 203-789-3936 or toll-free at 1-877-282-7328. Email is ddiaz@srhs.org.
 PD FITNESS PROGRAM
A specially designed gentle fitness program for people with PD is currently being offered at Christ Lutheran Church, 600 Shepard Avenue, Hamden, minutes from Hamden Plaza and Route 10/Whitney Avenue.
The winter/early spring program is currently running until 4/21. Hours are 1 - 2:30 p.m. A late spring/early summer 6 week session will run from May 12 - June 23 (with the exception of Memorial Day 5/26).
The instructor is Marie Koch, M.S., P.T. of Quinnipiac University’s Dept. of Physical Therapy. Patients with varying levels of abilities are invited to attend. This cost is $5.00 per session.
The program involves stretching, strengthening, etc. and is tailor-made for folks who are even in wheelchairs. (Caregivers / partners are able to sit in an adjacent room and have an informal opportunity to meet and chat while waiting for the person participating in the class.)
Questions or to find the location of
other CT Parkinson Fitness Programs:
Call Gladys at the Chapter 203-288-0546 or email gladkt@hotmail.com
PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP
ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES LIVE AT HOME
Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the opening of a pilot program intended at helping adults with disabilities avoid expensive and confining nursing facility care by living in the community with cost-effective support services. The new Connecticut Home Care Program for Disabled will use homemakers, visiting nurses and home health aides, and other key services to bring up to 50 people with neurological disabilities out of nursing homes or prevent them from being institutionalized in the first place. The program will target a relatively underserved age group -- adults 18 to 64 with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or other neurological degenerative diseases that cause them to need professional help in managing services to keep them independent…Funded with $720,000 in state dollars, the new program will target adults with neurological disabilities who do not currently qualify for Medicaid programs…Referrals will be accepted at 1-800-445-5394 (toll-free); choose option 4. (in part from CT Elderly Service, October 2007)
THE OLEY FOUNDATION
Since 1983, The Oley Foundation has been enriching the lives of those requiring home intravenous and tube feedings through education, outreach, and networking. If a person with PD is receiving "enteral nutrition" (formula delivered through a tube into the stomach or intestinal tract), he or she can contact the foundation at 1-800-776-OLEY or visit them on the web at www.oley.org.
"FIGHT FOR MORE"
Valeant Pharmaceuticals announced the national "Fight for More" campaign designed to help people with PD and the millions of people caring for them get the support, education, and resources they need. Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammed Ali, has been her husband's primary caregiver for over 20 years. She wants to share her unique insights through this program. To receive caregiver tips, raise research money, and learn about treatment options, visit www.FightForMore.com
CONNECTICUT CHAPTER COOKBOOK
In 1986, the APDA/Connecticut Chapter published a cookbook that became a best seller! Up until recently, folks were still trying to buy the book that was long ago sold out. The Chapter Board felt it was time to once again collect recipes from our talented Parkinson community. A phenomenal effort was put forth by a volunteer committee with resulting in a lovely 125-page cookbook. These have been on sale since the fall and there are still some available for purchase (cost: $10.00 / book). To order, call the Chapter at 203-288-0546 or email gladkt@hotmail.com
"STEADY STRIDES FOR PARKINSON" BRACELETS STILL AVAILABLE
Many of you are already wearing the blue PD bracelets. These “Steady Strides for Parkinson” bracelets were a sell-out so the Chapter is re-stocking its supply. The bracelets cost $1.00 a piece. You may order them by mailing a check to: CC/APDA, 27 Allendale Drive, North Haven, CT 06473. For orders of 6 or more, please include an extra $2.00 for postage.
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