Parkinsons Disease Information Elder Law

Some Information About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease. It has affected all kinds of people. Pope John Paul II. Michael J. Fox. Even Hitler. But you don’t need to be advanced in age or even genetically predisposed to suffer from Parkinson’s Disease. It’s not inherited. And it’s not just confined to seniors. But most people tend to suffer in isolation due to the embarrassment it causes.

Parkinson’s Disease (or “PD”) is a chronic neurological condition named after Dr. James Parkinson, a London physician who discovered it in 1817 (he coined it “Shaking Palsy”). It is also progressive. PD affects cells in the brain, which causes a reduction in a vital chemical known as “dopamine.” This decrease leads to the classic signs we see in PD sufferers.

Granted, tremors (“the shakes”) are the most visible symptoms of PD. But they are not the only ones. PD affects all types of motor skills, from movement, balance, speech and even important bodily, life-sustaining functions such as breathing and swallowing. According to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, other signs include:

  • Resting tremor on one side of the body
  • Generalized slowness of movement
  • Stiffness of limbs (or rigidity)
  • Gait or balance problems
  • Small, cramped handwriting
  • Lack of arm swing on the affected side
  • Decreased facial expression
  • Lowered voice volume
  • Feelings of depression or anxiety
  • Episodes of feeling paralyzed or stuck in place
  • Slight foot drag on the affected side
  • Increase in dandruff or oily skin
  • Less frequent blinking and swallowing
  • And many others

    • We have clients who are suffering from PARKINSON’S, and someone in Your Family may also be suffering from this disease. When a firm diagnosis has been made, people naturally begin to wonder, “What can I do?”

    “Is it going to get worse?” and, “Where can we get help?” Then a sense of panic sets in when the discussion turns to: “Who is going to take care of me… or Mom… or Dad?” “How much is it all going to cost? and “Where do we go from here?” “What are the legal and planning issues we should prepare for?”

    I am attorney, and the problems you might not be aware of go beyond the difficulty of carrying out everyday activities. A disability can cripple more than your body… it can also cripple your financial well-being.

    To help you in this regard, I have prepared a booklet entitled “9 Steps to Peace of Mind for the Parkinson’s Family.” If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this booklet, please e-mail to us or call our office.