The Welfare Visitor is happy to help anyone with Parkinson’s Disease. There is no obligation to join the society. The service is free. She can help you to learn about Parkinson’s Disease, tell you about what other services are available and what benefits you could apply for. She is also happy just to sit and talk to you or your family.

Parkinson’s Disease Society – United Kingdom
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road,
London,
SW1V 1EJ

TEL 0171 931 8080
FAX 0171 233 9908

Helpline open Monday to Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm 0171 233 5373

The Society’s helpline is run by the Care Services Manager and manned by dedicated volunteers who offer a "listening ear" to anyone with Parkinson’s or their families who need to talk to someone, safe in the knowledge that their call is confidential and the person listening understands Parkinson’s.

The Society’s mission is the conquest of Parkinson’s Disease and the alleviation of suffering and distress it causes, through effective research, education, welfare and communication.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Parkinson’s disease is named after Dr. James Parkinson (1755 – 1824) the London doctor whose essay on "the Shaking Palsy", was published in 1817. James Parkinson established the condition as a clinical entity and his essay continues to be recognised through the world as a classic description of the condition.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder affecting learned voluntary movements such as walking, talking, writing and swallowing. There are three main symptoms: tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia (slowness of movement). However not everyone will experience all three symptoms. Parkinson’s results from the loss of a chemical messenger in the mid-brain. The cause is as yet unidentified and there is no known cure. Parkinson’s is not inherited nor is it contagious.

The incidence of Parkinson’s is approximately 1:500 in the general population, rising to 1:100 over the age of 65 and 1:50 over the age of 80. A little recognised fact is that 1:20 people are diagnosed are aged under 40. There are more than 120,000 people with Parkinson’s in the United Kingdom today and it is common in all parts of the world.

The main treatment for Parkinson’s is drug therapy. Because no two people with Parkinson’s are exactly alike, the drug treatment has to be tailored to the individual and the timing of the medication is as important as the dosage. With the optimum drug treatment, life expectancy for Parkinson’s is normal. Surgical techniques are also being researched. Management plays a very important part in the care of people with Parkinson’s and professions such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy have an important role to play.

Help for carers is also vitally important.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE SOCIETY
The Parkinson’s Disease Society was founded in 1969 by Miss Mali Jenkins. Her sister had Parkinson’s. It is a registered charity existing to help all people with Parkinson’s, their families and friends.

Most of the Society’s income is derived from voluntary donations, bequests and fund raising activities. The Society operates a membership scheme but it is important to note that the Society exists to help all people with Parkinson’s and their families. It makes no distinction between members and non members in terms of the help that it offers.

THE LONDON OFFICE
The London Office co-ordinates, develops and administrates the Society’s national work in the areas of research, welfare, education, information and public relations.

The Care Services Department responds to the needs of people with Parkinson’s and their relatives and aims to improve the quality of their lives. Care services staff can provide support and advice on practical and emotional issues such as councelling, benefits and finance, driving, equipment and residential and respite care.

Information is available on all aspects of Parkinson’s, catering for the newly diagnosed, the more advanced Parkinsonian, their relatives, and for professionals involved in the care of people with Parkinson’s. The Society also publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Parkinson.

Medical research is funded by the Society in many different university departments and research institutions in the United Kingdom and at the Society’s Brain Research Centre at the Institute of Neurology in London. This research concentrates on trying to find a cure for Parkinson’s and discovering new and improved treatments. Welfare projects are also funded, aimed at establishing models of good practice and improving services for people with Parkinson’s and their families.

The Fundraising Department is concerned with developing national fundraising strategies, including an annual prize draw.

The Public Relations section is responsible for raising awareness of Parkinson’s and the Society including media relations, advertising, and Parkinson’s Awareness Week every April.

SCOTTISH RESOURCE
Forsyth House, Lomond Court, Castle Business Park, Stirling. FK9 4TU
Tel: 01786 433811 Fax: 01786 431811 e-mail: pds.scotland@parkinsons.org.uk
 

The Area Officers encourage the setting up of branches or self-help groups to meet local needs, support branches in their activities and encourage links with other branches and the Society as a whole. They are also involved in welfare, education, information and fundraising work within their area.

THE BRANCHES
The Society has over 200 branches all over the country. They are run by volunteers, often people who have Parkinson’s and their families. Each branch is different in the help which they offer, but generally they provide opportunities for mutual support and social activities through monthly meetings, as well as providing practical help at a local level. Some branches also have welfare visitors who can advise on welfare facilities locally and those available through the London office. They visit branch members and other people with Parkinson’s. The branches are also involved in fundraising and public awareness.

Further information on the activities of the local branch can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary of the branch or from the Area Officer.

 There is a special interest group for younger people with PD and the London or Stirling offices can give more details

BOOKLET
An introductory booklet is available from the Society. 38p in stamps would be greatly appreciated.

DONATIONS
Cheques/Postal orders should be made payable to the Parkinson’s Disease Society.
Covenant forms are also available.
Information on legacies can also be provided.

VOLUNTEERS
Information on volunteering is available.
Volunteer Drivers are always welcome and services may only mean driving once a month to take members to meetings between Wick and Thurso.