Parkinson's UK Farnborough and District Branch
No-one should have to face Parkinson's alone
The Tech Guide is new and, as the name suggests, has listings and some reviews of “devices [eg wearable devices or gadgets] and apps that could improve your quality of life, so you can make more confident decisions about using technology to manage your health and lifestyle”
(Wording and image taken from the Parkinson’s UK website)
Click here to go to the Tech Guide
It is frequently updated, so worth having a look at from time to time.
For our October meeting we were privileged to welcome Katherine Fletcher, who leads the research communication team at National Office. She gave a wide-ranging talk about progress in tackling Parkinson’s. You can find out more about research by clicking here
Attendance Allowance is paid if you are over State Pension age and need support in your daily life because of a long-term physical or mental health condition. It is NOT about payment to a carer or helper who comes into your home to support you; you are entitled to it whether or not you have help from an external agency. You can apply for it whatever your income or savings are.
Don’t be put off by the length of the application form – 30 pages! And always remember to record about your bad days when you are filling this in, rather than your best days (though it may need to be one of your better days to embark on this!)
The link below is to a factsheet from an organisation called Independent Age. It explains who can get Attendance Allowance and how to apply.
You can use this link to download the actual form.
It would also be helpful to download the Notes document – only 12 pages (!), with a very useful list on page 3 saying what you need to have ready before you start
I know the application process sounds rather gruesome but please don’t be too put off by it. Perhaps working with someone to help would make it seem more manageable.
Parkinson’s UK has a wide range of booklets and shorter pamphlets of information. These are all free to order.
You can see the range of items they have by clicking here for their catalogue.
Carers UK run twice weekly online meet-ups. If you haven’t tried one yet, they’d love to see you there. On Mondays at 3pm they hold “Care for a Cuppa”, which is an opportunity for you to take a short break and share your experiences with other carers from across the UK.
They run Share and Learn sessions, where they invite external guests to facilitate sessions on many topics, from carer wellbeing to creative writing and music.
To register for one or more of their online meet-ups, click here
Carers UK have a wide range of information on their website. If you have never been there, it is worth looking at. Click here to visit it.
Join the Research Support Network of Parkinson’s UK. More details at https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/get-involved-research. As a member you will receive notifications, usually via email, about opportunities to take part in research projects. These vary from detailed clinical trials of new treatment techniques to simple on-line surveys. You can even play a role in helping to develop research projects and deciding which projects should get funding.
This is a great way to keep up to date with research – and to play your part in making that research successful!
Talking products is the name of a company based in Romsey which sells products, such as pill boxes for which you can record a brief message as reminders. They target their uses at people with dementia though some of the products could be useful for other people too.
Here is a link to their website
The following was first posted in 2016 but surprisingly it is still correct. The card does cost just £20 for a year.
You can get a Disability Railcard for £20 which entitles you to 30% off rail travel for yourself and a travelling companion if you are in receipt of a Personal Independence Allowance, a Disability Living Allowance or an Attendance Allowance. More details and information about how to apply at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
“Disability Equipment Service aims to be a ‘one stop shop’ service for disability equipment. They say “We are not trying to compete with anyone, but to provide an easy to use central website that gives organisations and individuals a convenient way to buy or sell disability equipment.” www.disabilityequipmentservice.co.uk