COVID-19 & PARKINSON’S DISEASE
The safety, health and well-being of our Parkinson community across Canada are of utmost importance to Parkinson Canada and we continue to monitor developments. During this global outbreak of COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus), we are implementing proactive ways to help manage the risk and reduce potential spread of this disease to those most vulnerable. We have developed a RESOURCE PAGE which includes online exercises and conversations with health professionals.
*NEW* – We introduced a web tool – The Zendesk widget, a virtual concierge, now available from any page of the website (see the red box on the lower left of the screen online at www.parkinson.ca ). Ask us about anything — you are not alone. Or call our toll free line at 1-800-565-3000
*FaceBookLive* – on April 1st we offered a live chat with Dr. David Grimes lead author of the Canadian Guideline for Parkinson Disease and a renowned neurologist. Over 500 people participated and asked questions, live. The recording is available on our Facebook page – join us on Parkinson Canada’s Facebook Page for future broadcasts. Watch a recording of the webinar on YouTube
April is Parkinson Awareness Month — and pour CEO, Karen Lee, recorded a message to commemorate Dr. James Parkinson’s birthday on April 11th, also celebrated as World Parkinson Day
April 7th was National Carepartner Day and Parkinson Canada offered 3 podcasts about the lives of caregivers – presented in partnership with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Societies.
National Volunteer Appreciation Week happens April 19 – 26 — remember to thank those wonderful volunteers caring for all of us in this unusual time.
Take care – be safe and be healthy.
Parkinson Canada is a founding partner, investing and collaborating with leading researchers from across Canada to create the Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN).
C-OPN will bring together Canada’s best in Parkinson’s research and will give them a platform to share information and make new connections. The network will give investigators access to unprecedented data and will support large-scale, multidisciplinary projects that would not be possible at a single research site. This initiative will build on and benefit from the existing and highly successful model of the Quebec Parkinson Network (QPN), which is currently helping to run over 45 studies in 22 centres and has over 1200 patients registered. To read more, visit www.parkinson.ca/canadian-open-parkinson-network-funding-begins-collaboration-platform-to-accelerate-parkinsons-disease-research-and-knowledge/ Look for news on the official launch later this year.
Canadian Guideline for Parkinson Disease 2nd Edition
The Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that the Guideline made it into the Top 25 articles of 2019 and finished 6th overall with 17,209 views on their site last year. It is also in 11th place as the top article of all time!
The guideline includes 97 recommendations based on the best published evidence in five sections to guide healthcare professionals in clinical practice:
- Communication (including families and caregivers)
- Diagnosis and progression
- Treatment
- Non-motor features
- Palliative care
Parkinson Canada provides education and resources to health professionals to help improve outcomes for their patients. Download the new Guideline at www.ParkinsonClinicalGuidelines.ca or contact education@parkinson.ca for questions related to your specific area of practice.