Newnan Parkinson’s Support Group receives briefing from the Parkinson’s Foundation | News

Schultz led off by handing out copies of the Parkinson’s Foundation’s newest publication titled “Hospital Safety Guide: Your Step-by-Step Resource for Better Parkinson’s Care in the Hospital”.

The 67-page booklet addresses a major concern for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Parkinson’s Disease symptoms may worsen during a hospital stay, mainly for two reasons: PD-specific medications are not given according to the strictly prescribed manner and times, and the patient does not get enough movement opportunities, according to the booklet.

The guide sparked a discussion, with several members sharing their negative experiences with hospital personnel not cooperating with the scheduling of medications and inadequate movement opportunities.

Later, Schultz updated the group on one of the Foundation’s major research initiatives: PD GENEration. This national initiative provides genetic testing of clinically relevant Parkinson’s genes and genetic counseling, at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Doctors who treat PD and many people with PD know that there is not one typical form of the disease. One thing that may affect its symptoms and course is a person’s genetic makeup, according to Schultz.

The different genes that are risk factors for PD and the variations between them may determine how the disease presents, progresses, and responds to treatments.

“Obviously, this is a complicated…