Right at Home of Ann Arbor Supports Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Encourages Movement

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - April 6, 2014 - PRLog -- As part of April’s annual Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Americans are invited to participate in fun and educational events across the country to help fight Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disease often associated with tremors, slow or uncontrolled movement, and impaired balance. Approximately 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s, and 50,000 to 60,000 new Parkinson’s cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.

April 11 is designated World’s Parkinson’s Day when people across the globe are encouraged to better understand the disease and be advocates for Parkinson’s patients and their families. In America, Moving Day^® events help celebrate movement’s pivotal role in treating Parkinson’s and symbolizing hope and progress in fighting the disorder. Moving Day is sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), one of the leaders in Parkinson’s cutting-edge research, advancement of clinical care, education and outreach. Moving Day unites families, friends and communities in spotlighting Parkinson’s on a national level and raising funds to support care and research initiatives to beat the neurodegenerative brain disorder.

A champion of helping NPF fighting Parkinson’s disease, Right at Home of Ann Arbor works to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and provides an extra hand to loved ones caring for anyone dealing with limitations of the troublesome disease.

In spreading the word about Parkinson’s and finding a cure, people in Ann Arbor Michigan are challenged to join the cause in a variety of ways. Participation any time of year includes spending time with someone who has Parkinson’s; volunteering for a local chapter event; participating in a local fundraiser; joining a local support group or starting your own; and starting a daily exercise routine. Research shows that in addition to advanced medications, movement and exercise help slow the disease’s progression and are central to maintaining balance and mobility in people with Parkinson’s.

Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s gives individuals the best possibility for healthier living. Initial warning signs of Parkinson’s disease include:

- Tremor or shaking

- Small handwriting

- Trouble sleeping

- Trouble moving or walking

- Constipation

- A soft or low voice

- Masked or serious-look face

- Dizziness or fainting

- Stooping or hunching over

Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease is encouraged to see a doctor to help diagnose the illness and rule out other possible symptom causes. The muscle-movement disease is not fatal itself, but the Centers for Disease Control lists Parkinson’s complications as the 14th leading cause of death in America. Currently, there is no cure for this neurodegenerative brain disease, and cases are expected to rise significantly worldwide in the next 20 years as the aging population increases.

Research specialists worldwide continue to study and improve diagnosis and treatment options with the aim to someday cure the nervous system disorder. For information about Parkinson’s disease, Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Moving Day events, visit www.parkinson.org or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).

About Right at Home

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers home healthcare and companionship and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with franchise offices located in 42 states nationwide and throughout the world. For more information on Right at Home, read the Right at Home caregiving blog at http://www.rightathome.net/blog.

About Right at Home of Ann Arbor

The Ann Arbor Michigan office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, Inc., providing senior care to the communities of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Belleville, Plymouth, Chelsea, Dearborn, Canton, Dexter, and beyond. For more information, contact Right at Home of Ann Arbor at http://www.rightathome.net/washtenaw or by phone at (734) 971-5000.