Parkinson’s disease support group sets up in Strathmore

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

A Parkinson’s disease support group is being set up in Strathmore.
The Parkinson Association of Alberta is forming the support group in response to a request from a couple of people who approached the association.
“When we move into new regions, we start with a support group,” said Chad King, client service coordinator with the association, who spoke to Strathmore town council on Jan. 23. “We start with a support group when there’s enough individuals that we could see a benefit from for supporting the community, so inviting all the smaller communities outside of Strathmore. When the numbers get higher, that’s when we start doing exercise programs in the community, or we do cognitive classes or educational presentations and things like that.”
The Parkinson Association of Alberta currently has nearly 50 support groups throughout the province. In the Calgary region alone, there are currently 12 groups, and once the Strathmore group is up and running, that will make it 13 groups in total for the region.
“Our purpose is to ease the burden through advocacy, education, client services and finding a cure through research,” said King. “And our vision is a brighter future for Albertans living with Parkinson’s today (and) a world without Parkinson’s tomorrow.”
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects approximately 10,000 to 12,000 individuals in Alberta alone. It’s the second most prevalent neurological condition behind Alzheimer’s disease and the statistics are said to double by 2030 of those incidents of Parkinson’s.
“That’s why we’re trying to reach every small community that we can and let them know there are available resources for them,” said King.
The Parkinson Association of Alberta offers supportive counselling in their office, in a community, in a home or over the phone. They provide support groups, such as the one being set up in Strathmore. They provide movement, social, educational and arts programming, and information and referrals to community supports. They have in-service community awareness programs, a Parkinson’s disease help line, a peer-to-peer program, and “aware in care” kits.
“All of our services are available to people with Parkinson’s and their spouses, families and care partners,” said King.
The new support group is at Hope Community Church on the first Thursday of every month at 1:30 p.m.