A national program to help Parkinson’s patients is coming to St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center for those who attend an upcoming support group meeting.
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 in the St. Dominic Room on the basement level at St. Rose. It is free and open to anyone with concerns about Parkinson’s disease.
The National Parkinson Foundation Heartland has donated Aware in Care kits, which can be used to protect Parkinson’s patients before, during and after a hospital visit, Tom Bauer, M.D., said.
The Aware in Care kit includes a hospital action plan, ID bracelet, medical alert card, medication form, fact sheet, reminder documents and magnet.
“We appreciate this donation from the area chapter of the national foundation,” said Dr. Bauer, whose medical practice is at St. Rose’s Great Bend Internists. “This can be invaluable to patients and families.
“A recent study indicates that three out of four Parkinson’s patients don’t receive medications on time when they are in the hospital,” he added, citing information from the foundation. “The kit will help doctors and nurses alleviate this concern.”
But this is not the only issue, Dr. Bauer elaborated. The kits are just as valuable when patients are at home or traveling.
“For example, if a patient develops pneumonia, Parkinson’s issues can be set aside as the pneumonia becomes the main concern,” he noted. “The Aware in Care kits remind patients and caregivers to properly treat Parkinson’s every day.”
Dr. Bauer and two caregivers are organizing the meeting, the third for this new St. Rose support group.
Participants will share in the camaraderie of those who understand their situation and hear from St. Rose’s Rehab Services about recommended exercises.
“These meetings are important for the physical and emotional aspects of the disease,” Dr. Bauer said. “We encourage attendance not only by patients but also their caregivers. The group can provide a wealth of support for both.”
Parkinson’s is a brain and nerve disease that is chronic and progressive. It affects nerve cells in the brain that normally produce dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals between areas in the brain.
For more information, contact Connie Rathbun, group facilitator, by calling 620-792-6457.