Care home residents hold Parkinson’s awareness event

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Chater Lodge care home in Ketton held a Parkinson’s Awareness event.

James Parkinson was a neurologist, geologist, scientist and activist who was born on 11 April 1755, he died on 21 December 1824.  Parkinson’s Awareness Week is a global call to action to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease and promote a greater understanding of the condition and how it can affect a person.

The staff, residents and the wider community spent time with Elizabeth Knowles and Margaret Berrisford from Stamford Parkinson’s group taught us about how Parkinson’s disease can affect different parts of the brain and the body causing involuntary movements or rigidity in muscles which can then ‘freeze up’ and not work.  Residents and staff also learned about the possible psychological impact of the medication used to treat disease which can cause compulsive behaviours and depression in some people.  It can also be linked to a reduced sense of smell, impaired vision and attention deficit disorder. The Stamford Parkinson group meet the first Tuesday of every month.

General Manager, Zoe Postgate, said “Parkinson’s affects a lot of older people and some of our residents are living with the disease so it was important for us to mark the week.  We have all learned a great deal about the effects of Parkinson’s and have a greater understanding of how varied and unpredictable the symptoms can be.”

Chater Lodge is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Chater Lodge provides residential care, respite care and Dementia care