Page 3295 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 September 1993
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A.C.T. HEALTH PROVIDES A BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES WHICH, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRIVATE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDE MANAGEMENT OF THE DISEASE AND ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE PERSON DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSONS DISEASE.
PLANNING FOR LONG TERM PROGRESSION AND DISABILITY IS BEST DEVELOPED FROM EARLY STAGES, DRAWING UPON THE ABOVE RESOURCES.
TREATMENT WITH ANTI PARKINSONIAN DRUGS IS THE PRIMARY METHOD OF MANAGING THE SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSONS DISEASE.
DRUG THERAPY CAN BE EFFECTIVE AND LONG LASTING AND ENABLES MANY DISABLED PATIENTS TO REGAIN A SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF MOTOR FUNCTION. HOWEVER RESPONSE TO MEDICATION IS LESS EFFECTIVE OVER AN EXTENDED TIME.
A CRUCIAL ASPECT OF MANAGING CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSONS DISEASE AND THEIR FAMILIES IS HELPING THEM TO COPE WITH THE DIAGNOSIS EMOTIONALLY AS WELL AS MEDICALLY.
UNDERSTANDABLY PEOPLE FREQUENTLY DENY THE DIAGNOSIS. OR UNREALISTICALLY HOPE FOR A CURE. THE NATURAL RESPONSE OF FEAR AND ANXIETY MAY BE CONSIDERABLY EXACERBATED IF THEY ARE NOT WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE DISEASE.
PEOPLE MAY NEED HELP AND SUPPORT IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF CHANGING SELF IMAGE AND SELF ESTEEM, EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS, A SHIFT OF ROLES WITHIN THE FAMILY, AND CARE GIVING DECISIONS.
THERE ARE CLEAR BENEFITS FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE IN MAINTAINING SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND INDEPENDENCE. THIS WILL HELP TO FACILITATE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT AND DELAY SYMPTOMATIC PROGRESSION.
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