CT News & Beyond

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 Chapter for more details toll-free at 1-877-282-7328.

Hamden Parkinson 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 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. Note that there are other fitness programs across the state. Call the Chapter toll-free at 1-877-282-7328 for more information.

All programs involve stretching, strengthening, etc. and are tailor-made for folks who are even in wheelchairs. (Caregivers / partners often are able to have an informal opportunity to meet while waiting for the person participating in the class.)

OTHER LOCATIONS

Fitness Classes:

• E. Hartford, Marcie at 860-568-6820, marciedwyer@sbcglobal.net
• Greenwich, Rhona at 203-869-4632, rhonabj@optonline.net
• Hamden, (Mondays 1 – 2:30 p.m.) Gladys at 203-288-0546, gladkt@hotmail.com
• Glastonbury (Monday and Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.) Eastern Rehab Network, 860-291-2789, www.easternrehab.net
• ***New in North Haven, Suzanne Sepe at 203-230-9606 / suzzysepe@sbcglobal.net
• Old Saybrook area, Tracy at 860-388-5881, tgodwin-randolph@lmhosp.org
• Shoreline, Jane Olson at 203-458-4259, jolson@vna-commh.org

Movement/Dance Classes:

• Middletown area (Dance), Laura Richling at 203-675-2930 / laura.richling@sbcglobal.net
  
• New London area (Dance), Rachel at 401-261-7062 / balaban.rachel@gmail.com
• New Haven Area (Dance), Arri Sendzimir at 203-624-5189 x 15 / arri@nmsmusicschool.org

Wellness Program

Just over the CT Border

• JCC in Springfield, MA
  Mondays & Thursdays 12;30 – 2 p.m.,
  Debra R. Ellis at 413-695-6069 / synergyrehabconsult@hotmail.com
• The Burke Rehabilitation Center, White Plains, NY, Balance & Fall Prevention with “Grace on the Floor” Catherine Kazienko at 1-888-234-4401 / info@graceonthefloor.com

APDA Parkinson's Rehab Resource Center
APDA's National Resource Center for Rehabilitation, based at Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, puts you in contact with a licensed physical therapist who can answer questions about exercise, provide information about programs in your area, and supply free educational materials about the benefits of exercise for people with PD. Call (toll-free): 1-888-606-1688

APDA National Young Onset Center
This Center, based in Illinois, focuses on developing programs that address the unique needs of young people with Parkinson’s, their family members, friends, and healthcare providers across the country. For more information call (toll-free): 1-877-223-3801 or visit www.youngparkinsons.org

For Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs reports new disability eligibility for veterans with Parkinson’s who served in Vietnam from 1962 to 1975 and those who were exposed to herbicides outside of Vietnam.
For more information, visit: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/benefits.asp

THE PROUD HANDS PROGRAM

“Proud Hands” is a compilation of personal photos and stories submitted by both people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to provide encouragement to the estimated more than 1 million Americans living with the disease.

The “Proud Hands” book features 28 inspirational stories of people from across the country and depicts the various activities they use to live well despite their illness. The coffee table book is a unique collection from people with diverse backgrounds and ages. These stories are intended to serve as a source of hope to others, in addition to creating awareness about the disease.
 
Like the people featured in “Proud Hands,” we encourage you to pen your story about living well with PD by visiting www.proudhandsbook.com Share your photos and stories about the activities you enjoy as a way to encourage others!

The book is available for a $15 donation through a partnership with Teva Neuroscience and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). All proceeds from the book go directly to the APDA. Visit apdaparkinson.org to learn more and get your copy.

To Make Charitable Donations

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