Raising Awareness for Parkinson’s in Eastbourne & Hailsham

This week is Parkinson’s Awareness Week (10th – 17th April) and we are supporting Parkinson’s UK to help raise awareness of the disease and assist those who have been diagnosed to find the right support locally across Eastbourne and Hailsham.

What is Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years. The main symptoms include:

• Involuntary shaking of some parts of the body
• Slow movement
• Stiff/inflexible muscles

A person with Parkinson’s disease can also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms. This can include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Problems with sleep
• Problems with balance making a fall more likely
• Loss of sense of smell

Did you know?

Home Instead and Parkinson’s UK have partnered up to create a bespoke training programme for Home Instead Care Professionals. This comprehensive training programme ensures our Care Pros have the knowledge and are upskilled to provide essential care to those living with Parkinson’s who want to stay at home. You can read more about our partnership with Parkinson’s UK here.

Our Senior Care Professional, Rachel, who assists Home Instead’s more complex clients,  explains how we help our clients who have Parkinson’s to live safely and comfortably in their own homes:

Any Care Professional that is working with someone who has Parkinson’s will be introduced in shadowing shifts. They will observe another Care Professional who is familiar with that client and help them carry out tasks to see how the visit runs. The care plan for clients with Parkinson’s is very detailed so Care Professionals will have read that before the visit. Many will also have specific Parkinson’s training.

Sometimes we work and liaise with outside agencies as some people require that extra help. For example, if someone with Parkinson’s has difficulty with their speech, we have a speech and language therapist to come and assist them. Some have a specialist Parkinson’s nurse which is a really great resource; particularly when it comes to medication. A Parkinson’s nurse will try to get things back on an even keel by adjusting medication levels. Occupational Therapists are another great resource for people with Parkinson’s as they might need more aids around the house, so we are constantly in touch with the OT’s in our local area.

If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, what local groups might be useful for you in the Eastbourne & Hailsham?

Eastbourne Group Social Meeting

Contact the group to find out more about when and where the next meeting is

Offering information, friendship and support to all people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers at our monthly social meetings. Each meeting has different entertainment. 

Contact: Huw Farmer by emailing [email protected]

Eastbourne Singing Group

First Wednesday of the month 10.00 – 12:00

£1 a week to cover hall hire plus £13 per calendar month for the tuition (approx £17 per month)

Address: Saint Agnes Catholic Church, Eastbourne, 22 Whitley Road, Eastbourne, BN22 8NQ

Contact: Veronika Lees on 07952 881267 or email [email protected] to book.

Flexercise

Weekly every Thursday from 14:30 until 15:30

£6 a session. National community-based exercises by a teacher experienced with Parkinson’s needs.

Address: Kings Church Eastbourne, 27 Edison Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6PT

Contact: Margaret Cutting on 01323 769 603 or email [email protected]