Aging Well in Oregon

This program is a collaboration between Oregon’s seniors, disease advocacy organizations, and the healthcare community to provide an opportunity to enhance awareness of senior health topics and chronic illness management frequently seen in long-term care communities. We invite you to use the resources introduced through this program and utilize the links below to help you train staff and improve care of your residents living with the highlighted chronic diseases.

Current Focus Topic: PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Parkinson's disease is one of a larger group of neurological conditions called motor system disorders. It was first described as "the shaking palsy" in 1817 by British doctor James Parkinson. In Parkinson's patients, 80 percent or more of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain are damaged, dead, or otherwise degenerated. This causes the nerve cells to fire wildly, leaving patients unable to control their movements. Symptoms usually show up in one or more of four ways:

• Tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face

• Rigidity, or stiffness of limbs and trunk

• Slowness of movement

• Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.

PARKINSON’S RESOURCES

1. TIP SHEET: Caring for Residents With Parkinson’s (posted 7/21/08) (PDF)

2. Parkinson’s Education Webinar

3. Critical Info for Caring for Parkinson’s Resident (PDF)

4. PD Medications: Timing is Critical (PDF)

Aging Well In Oregon - A Collaboration Between:

Long Term Care Quality Improvement Links