Raising Awareness for Parkinson’s in Brighton, Hove & Shoreham

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 Brighton, Hove & Shoreham.

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, 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 Brighton, Hove and Shoreham area?

Dance For Parkinson’s 

Wednesday 10:30 –12:15

£5 per class, tea and coffee included

All abilities, including seated

Address: Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton BN2 1RL

Contact: Lynn for more info/booking [email protected]/07939 040014

Shoreham Parkinson’s Cafe

First Thursday of the month 10.30 – 12:00

Free apart from refreshments.

Address: The Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5EG Contact: Alastair Jack for more info/booking on [email protected]/0344 225 9848

Brighton and Hove Group Social Meeting

First Tuesday of the month from 10:15 – 13:30

Free coffee mornings run alongside physio led exercise classes. Drop-in runs term time only.

Address: The Sportsman Pub, Withdean Sports Complex, Brighton, BN1 5JD

Contact: Paul Stockwell on 07952 299085 or email [email protected]

Physio led exercise class

Weekly every Tuesday from 09:15 until 14:15

£5 per session. 55-minute-long, group physio exercise sessions for people with Parkinson’s. 

Address: Withdean Sports Complex, Brighton, BN1 5JD

Contact: Paul Stockwell 07952 299085 or email [email protected]