American Parkinson Disease Association, Washington Programs
We empower patients and families touched by Parkinson’s by providing education and access to resources through our Information and Referral Center. We support education programs for patients, their families, and healthcare providers, including the annual HOPE Conference. Our quarterly newsletter, website, and literature keeps the community informed with trustworthy and current information.
We believe building a strong sense of community helps the battle with the disease. Social support, mental health, and physical activity are critical to coping with Parkinson’s disease and managing its impact on quality of life. Concentrating on activities that bring patients together around common interests, we fund yoga, dance, and singing classes statewide that are designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s. We also strive to strengthen the support group network by offering trainings for leaders and providing trained, professional facilitators to lead groups. We fund individual counseling for people who are in need of help.
We understand the importance of independence and mobility, aspects of daily life that we all take for granted until taken away by Parkinson’s disease. Our most popular program, the Taxi Voucher program, provides transportation assistance to people with the disease who can no longer drive. Participation in this program has doubled over the past year.
We value the families and caregivers affected by Parkinson’s, and understand the importance of support systems. Our Caregiver’s Day Off program allows caregivers time away to renew and revitalize themselves, without concern for their loved one’s care.
Finally, we believe we must have the ultimate goal in mind: understanding the causes and developing treatments that stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease. We are committed to putting dollars directly towards Parkinson’s research in Washington State. We have funded the Washington State Parkinson Disease Registry since it began in 2007, in addition to other local research studies, all working to propel research forward.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Both our Taxi Voucher Program and our Caregiver's Day Off are successful and popular programs. Since they began a few years ago, demand has increased every year for these programs. In the past year, participation has doubled.