Six Signals That a Senior’s Caregiving Needs are Changing

Depression is not the only sign to look for during holiday visits to older relatives. Here are some other red flags from the 2007 Adult Caregiving Show Me Guide, a free publication that provides extensive and easy-to-read information, advice and support for individuals and families faced with the often overwhelming challenge of providing caregiving services to aging or disabled adults.

What are some warning signs that my loved one’s caregiving needs are changing?

* Changing relationships with others or withdrawal from social interactions
* Unusual behavior, such as being overly quiet, loud or agitated
* Neglecting personal care, including hygiene and nutrition
* Signs of forgetfulness such as piles of newspapers, unopened mail and scorched pans
* Mismanaging finances, not paying bills or making unusual purchases
* Not keeping up with household chores.

What can adult caregivers do when warning signs appear?     continued...

Treating Advanced Parkinson's: New Research Points To Serotonin

Science Daily - For most people with Parkinson's disease, the only relief from the tremors, rigidity and impaired movement associated with the progressive loss of their motor skills is a drug called L-DOPA. But as the disease progresses, L-DOPA can cause prominent side effects that counteract its effectiveness.

Now, Rockefeller University's Paul Greengard and colleagues in Sweden provide evidence that serotonin, a well-studied neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sexuality and sleep, also plays a crucial role in Parkinson's disease. Using a mouse model of the disease, Greengard's team shows that side effects associated with repeated L-DOPA treatment can be blocked by manipulating a specific serotonin receptor. The finding, reported recently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition online, points to a new target for developing treatments for this disorder, which is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's.     continued...

PRC Receives Donation to Help Fund Next “Powerful Tools” Caregivers Class

The Parkinson’s Resource Center was presented with a nice donation from the Suburbanite Group of Spokane to be used towards another “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” class.

 The club was organized over 40 years ago to assist children and now branches out to assist other organizations.  They have always given away all of the money they raise and this year chose to give their Christmas event money to local charities that represented illnesses that their family members suffered from. They do a number of fundraisers throughout the year and distribute the funds three times a year.

If anyone else would like to support an upcoming “Powerful Tools” class or any other services we provide, please call our office at (509) 473-2490 or you may donate online or download a donation form.

The Suburbanites next event is their Spring Luncheon, style show and silent auction in April.  If you’re interested in attending, call Elinor Johnson at 509-928-2322 to purchase tickets.

We are grateful to the Suburbanites for their generous donation.

Upcoming Telehealth Meetings

For our March meeting we will have Dr. Steve Setter, PharmD to speak to us about Medications. He will share some of the complications that arise with Parkinson’s medications as well as how to maximize the results of their effectiveness.

In April we will have Dr. Monique Giroux, who is a Movement Disorder Specialist, speaking to us from Seattle. 

If your community is not yet on the network please give E'lise a call at 509-473-2490 or email us at center@spokaneparkinsons.org and we'll see if we can add your community as well. For a list of all our participating communities, go to the Telehealth Schedule.

Come join us for the free meetings at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center at 711 S. Cowley, Rm. 200 at 2:00.  There will be time for questions and answers following the presentations.

Washington Parkinson's Disease Registry

Just say WPDR!!!We are excited to announce that the Washington Parkinson's Disease Registry (WPDR) will begin operations in May 2007.  The idea of a statewide database of individuals with Parkinson's disease interested in research studies has existed for some time.  It wasn't until the collaborative efforts and financial support from the Washington Chapter of the APDA, Northwest Collaborative Care, Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, and the University of Washington Department of Neurology that this exciting resource for the Parkinson's community came to fruition. The following, in a question-answer format, will help you gain a better understanding of the Washington Parkinson's Disease Registry. Remember, just say WPDR!!!  continued..

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