Parkinson’s Awareness Week

National Parkinson’s Awareness Week – 3 to 9 September – focuses on the quality use of medicines theme Get it on Time.

“This campaign is designed to highlight the importance of people with Parkinson’s taking their medication on time, every time whether in hospital, respite or nursing homes, or at home in the community” said Parkinson’s Australia chief executive officer, Bruce Shaw.

“When a person with Parkinson’s doesn’t get their medication on time, they may suddenly not be able to move, get out of bed or walk down the corridor, even though they had been capable of doing so earlier. Also, sleep can become disturbed, bowel and kidney function and digestion can be affected and anxiety and mood swings can also be triggered.

“The first phase of the campaign is to raise awareness among health professionals and the general public as to why people with Parkinson’s need their medication on time and to increase their understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” Mr Shaw said.

As part of this, local Parkinson’s associations will be asking pharmacies, health clinics, doctors’ and other health professionals’ surgeries, hospitals, respite centres and residential aged care facilities to display and distribute Get it on Time posters, leaflets and brochures.

Parkinson’s disease (Pd) is a chronic and progressive disease with substantial disability. Although Parkinson’s is second only to dementia as the most common chronic neurological condition, for a range of reasons Parkinson’s is largely an unknown – or at least not publicly visible – condition.

“Generally speaking, we still do not know what causes or triggers Pd. There is no current cure for Parkinson’s. It is a progressive disorder whose impact reaches far beyond the clinical signs and symptoms exhibited by those afflicted. It not only places severe burden on the individual, but also on their family, friends, work place and society,” said Mr Shaw.

“Don Chipp’s sad but brave death in the week before National Parkinson’s Awareness Week has brought attention to some of the issues confronting people with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Australia was honoured and grateful to Don’s family for requesting that donations be made to Parkinson’s Australia in lieu of flowers at his funeral.” said Mr Shaw. “Don Chipp’s personal commitment to bring the needs of people with Parkinson’s to public attention was important for Australia.”