World Parkinson Congress Portland, Oregon

Press Release – Parkinson’s New Zealand

Global recognition for New Zealand’s patient-centred service for people living with Parkinson’s
21 September 2016

Parkinson’s New Zealand’s Chief Executive Deirdre O’Sullivan was invited to speak at the 2016 World Parkinson Congress (WPC) in Portland, Oregon. Deirdre said:

“I was pleased to be asked to present on our Parkinson’s Community Educator Service. Parkinson’s New Zealand is now an acknowledged leader in promoting the use of interdisciplinary care and our model of care attracts interest worldwide.

“Providing our Parkinson’s Community Educator Service is one of Parkinson’s New Zealand’s core activities. Our Parkinson’s Community Educators provide vital services to people living with Parkinson’s. They visit people with Parkinson’s in their own homes and support them, their carers and families. Our one-of-a-kind service ensures people with Parkinson’s have the tools they need to manage their condition and maintain their independence as long as possible.”

Deirdre was invited to speak about Parkinson’s New Zealand’s Community Educator Service as part of a leadership forum at the WPC. The aim of the leadership forum at the WPC is to provide an opportunity for leaders from Parkinson’s organisations to focus on building a global community for people living with Parkinson’s.

Deirdre said, “Our Parkinson’s Community Educators are available wherever you live in New Zealand. There is no cost for this service. We provide a quality clinical service where health and disability services do not or cannot.”

The Fourth World Parkinson Congress is being held 20-23 September. The Congress is a unique and exciting gathering that brings together physicians, neuroscientists, a broad range of other health professionals, caregivers and people living with Parkinson’s. Guest speakers will come from 60 countries to share information on care models, latest research and living with Parkinson’s.

About Parkinson’s

· One in every 500 New Zealanders has Parkinson’s – around 10,000 people.

· People with Parkinson’s tend not to refer to themselves as ‘sufferers’, opting for a more positive ‘people living with Parkinson’s’.

· Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that occurs when insufficient quantities of the chemical dopamine are produced by the brain

· A large number of people with Parkinson’s are aged over 65, however the average age of diagnosis is 59, and many New Zealanders are diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s in their thirties and forties.

· The main motor symptoms of Parkinson’s are:

· Tremor (shaking)

· Stiffness and rigidity

· Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)

· Other symptoms can include changes in mood and anxiety, poor balance and altered speech

About Parkinson’s New Zealand

· Parkinson’s New Zealand is a national not-for-profit with 20 divisions and branches throughout the country and 32 Community Educators who work with people with Parkinson’s as part of multi-disciplinary teams

· Contact details for Parkinson’s Community Educators are available on www.parkinsons.org.nz or by phoning 04 801 8850 or 0800 473 463.

· Parkinson’s New Zealand is a community based, non-profit organisation, registered with the Charities Commission and reliant on funding from grants, bequests and donations.

About The Fourth World Parkinson Congress

· The Fourth World Parkinson Congress is being held in Portland, Oregon 20-23 September. This congress brings together physicians, scientists, allied health professionals, caregivers and people with Parkinson’s to share information on care models, latest research and living daily with Parkinson’s.

ENDS

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