KIRKLAND, WA − April is National Parkinson’s Awareness Month and the team at the Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center at the Evergreen Neuroscience Institute has several informative community events available.
“This is a great chance for us to reinforce the idea that people with Parkinson’s can do welland live a good quality of life,” said Dr. Monique Giroux, medical director of the Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center.
Sample activities scheduled include:
Meet the Experts Box Luncheon
April 18, 2008
12:00p.m. - 12:30p.m.
Tan Zone at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
Cost: Free
Physicians, psychologist and physical, occupational and speech therapists will be on hand to discuss the team approach to your treatment at the Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center. Lunch provided.
Interactive Teleconference: Featuring Dr. Giroux
April 21, 2008
2:00p.m. – 3:30p.m.
Tan 134 at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
The Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center is a viewing site for live, interactive educational talks to a network of communities in the Northwest. Listen as Dr. Giroux discusses comprehensive care and how Parkinson’s patients can improve their quality of life.
Parkinson's Caregiver Support Group
April 28, 2008
12:30p.m. – 2:00p.m.
Tan 134 at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
Cost: Free
This confidential support group provides a comfortable environment for bringing up the issues, concerns and emotions that many face while providing care for a loved one with Parkinson's Disease. (Ongoing – meets fourth Monday of each month.)
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center is located in Kirkland at 12040 NE 128th Street and parking is free. Driving directions are available at www.evergreenhealthcare.org. To register or for more information about these events, call the Evergreen Healthline at 425.899.3000.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that increases in severity over time. In Parkinson's disease, neurons (nerve cells) of the brain area known as the substantianigra are primarily affected. When these neurons degenerate, the brain's ability to generate body movements is disrupted. Signs and symptoms characteristic of Parkinson's disease can include tremors, rigidity, lack of movement or loss of spontaneous movement and problems walking and posture.
While there are no treatments capable of slowing or arresting the progression of Parkinson’s disease, there are treatments that can very effectively relieve the symptoms, especially in the early years. Such treatments include medication, surgery, and physical therapy.
About the Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center
The Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center at Evergreen Neuroscience Institute is named after former Washington Governor Booth Gardner, who himself is living with Parkinson’s disease. The center seeks to improve the quality of life for patients and their families through comprehensive and compassionate care. The center offers treatment for Parkinson's disease, Dystonia, Tremors, Ataxia, MSA, Tourette's, Restless Legs Syndrome, Huntington's, CBGD, and PSP. The Evergreen Neuroscience Institute is part of Evergreen Healthcare, a health care system based at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland.
Note to editors – Physician interviews, photo opportunities and Center tours available.
Contact: Janette Cline, Media Coordinator, 206.419.6468