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PSCKY
Call us!502.426.0888
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Dear Friends:
This e-news is chock-full of interesting info! Enjoy! But first, I'd like to start by asking for help. We need to borrow a number of items for our Denim & Diamonds Gala Celebration on Friday. Here's what we need:
- Easels
- Extension cords
- Golf Umbrellas (just in case it rains, which of course, it won't!)
- Plastic display boxes (2) or stands for basketballs
- Items that evoke the beach or the ocean
- Items that evoke baseball
All items should be clearly labeled with your name so we can return them to you. If you can help, please let Jinn know what you have and whether you can bring them to the PSCKY by Thursday of this week. Thanks!
 Several folks asked me about the therapies I went to observe in Lexington on Friday at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. Here's some more information! I was privileged to see PT Karen Rodgers make a "toe spreader" to combat dystonia and clawing. The toe spreader is used under a sock (which holds it in place) and generally is good for 6 months to a year. Foot dystonia is frequently observed in people with Parkinson's disease. It is characterized by an abnormal involuntary movement which is very uncomfortable (difficult to walk) and painful for the person with dystonia. You can view pictures and more information about this highly-customized device here.
 I also was able to see a Louisville person with PD take therapy with the Lokomat gait training device. The Lokomat is a robot-assisted treadmill therapy. The Lokomat system utilizes high quality computer controlled motors (drives) which are integrated in the gait orthosis at each hip and knee joint. Force transducers at the joints accurately measure the interaction between the patient and the Lokomat. The drives are precisely synchronized with the speed of the treadmill. This sensitive system assures a precise match between the speed of the gait orthosis and the treadmill. You can view pictures and more information about the Lokomat here. There is also a short video on our Facebook page, and it will give you an idea of what the device looks like in motion. My especial thanks to Beverly for allowing me to observe her therapies on Friday, and to Cardinal Hill therapists Jessica and Karen for allowing me to ask questions and take pictures.
If either of these therapies interests you, you may contact Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, Center for Outpatient Services/Physical Therapy at 859-367-7125. The Lokomat therapy requires a doctor's referral (referral number is 859-367-7121) and is covered by insurance.
I mentioned clinical trials of Rotigotine (Neupro) at last week's Lunch & Learn. Here's a link to a trial that is listed as recruiting participants. And although this trial is listed as "ongoing" but not recruiting participants, it might be worth a look.
We're getting ready to do another round of "Ask the Expert". Now is a GREAT time to send your questions about PD to us so that we can pose the questions to therapists and doctors with both Frazier Rehab Institute and Norton Neuroscience Institute. Please send your questions to me. Thank you!
If you're planning to attend our Denim & Diamonds Celebration (and fundraiser!) on
June 4th from 6:30-11pm at Historic Locust Grove, please make your
reservations NOW! Remember, if you're a person with Parkinson's disease
involved with our groups or activities, we'd like to invite you and a
guest to attend at a half-price rate of $100 for each ticket. Just
mention "Support Group rate" when you make your reservation by phone
(502-426-0888), or online. It's a great time, and we'd really like to see you
there! If you would like to come but truly can't afford a ticket, please let Jinn know. We have a few seats that have been donated by a generous benefactor, and we'd be happy to have you!
So many new people are joining our e-news list that I want to remind you that you can view archived copies of past newsletters right here! A helpful tip if you're looking for a certain topic: go to "Edit" and then "Find" in the tool bar at the top of your web browser, and then type in the key word of the information you're looking for.
We send our heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Joel Alderson Gwinn, who passed away on May 22nd, and to our friend Jo Ann Clark, whose sister Janett Hock passed away on May 10th.
Wishing you well this week,
Jinn Fuller Renfro
Executive Director
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MORE ON REDUCING TOXINS IN YOUR LIFE
 Happy Memorial Day! As I unpack my white shoes, I reflect that it's the
start of "sun season". Last week, someone with the Walking & Hiking
group asked me what sunscreen is best
for someone looking to limit their exposure to toxins & noxious
chemicals. Well, a little research revealed this fascinating report from the Environmental Working Group
on which sunscreens have the most and the least hazardous ingredients.
Check it out! In fact, if you want to limit your exposure to
toxic chemicals, you might appreciate EWG's site "Skin Deep"--a comprehensive database of personal care products and the chemicals they contain. I was particularly surprised by how many chemicals NOT on the packaging label many items
contain, particularly perfumes. "The average fragrance product
tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Among them are chemicals associated with hormone
disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not
been assessed for safety in personal care products." Our thanks to John Moody for the information on EWG and its databases. You might also learn from the excerpts from an interview with Dr. Charles Benbrook on " How to Avoid Pesticides." |
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LET'S DANCE! NEW SESSIONS STARTING! REGISTER NOW!
Our popular "Let's Dance" support group will resume with new sessions from Tuesday, June 8th-Tuesday, July 27th. The group will meet on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30am at Dance Louisville. Please call 502-426-0888 to register or email us! |
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FATIGUE, SLEEP DISORDERS & PD: JUNE 1st at 1pm
Learn the latest in PD research and care, straight from the experts. Mark you calendars now for the PD ExpertBriefing on Fatigue, Sleep Disorders and PD on Tuesday, June 1st at 1pm. The web-based seminar can be attended on line or by phone. Learn more about symptoms and how to cope. (Interesting, PSCKY's June Lunch & Learn will also be on this topic! Great minds think alike!) |
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WEBCAST: WHAT NEW THERAPIES ARE COMING FOR PD?
Mark your calendars now! The Parkinson's Action Network is hosting an interactive webcast, "Emerging Therapies--From Microscope to Marketplace" on June 24th from 2-4pm. The webcast will discuss issues affecting the development of new therapies for PD. Jackie Hunt Christensen will give an insider's view of clinical trials and how they help the entire community. Don't miss it! Visit this link & sign up for PAN's mailing list to receive reminders & access to the webcast. |
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THERAPY SERVICES IN SOUTHERN INDIANA
 With over 20 area
locations, Frazier Rehab Institute has multiple locations to suit your needs,
including multiple sites in Southern Indiana.
Frazier Rehab has three
outpatient rehab facilities - in Corydon, Clarksville
and Jeffersonville
- and also co-owns Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital (SIRH) which also has three
locations. SIRH has multiple services
targeted specifically for Parkinson patients.
These services include: Inpatient services to assist in whatever level of care you
need. Intensive
therapy, medical management and rehab nursing staff work together with the
patient and family to assist the patient in achieving their optimum
functional outcome. The goal is to
be discharged safely home returning for outpatient therapy sessions. LSVT Big®, an intensive
outpatient exercise program for those individuals with Parkinson's disease
and other neurological conditions. The goal of LSVT Big is to teach
patients a new way of moving in everyday life so that common movements
provide continuous exercise. This program uses the philosophy that larger
amplitude, whole body, functional movements will train the individual
for carryover of faster walking
with bigger steps, improved balance and increased trunk rotation. LSVT Loud® , an intensive
outpatient speech therapy program designed to improve vocal loudness by
stimulating the muscles of the voice box (larynx). Exercises progress through a hierarchy
of challenge focused on the single goal of having the patient speak
loudly. The treatment improves the muscles of the respiratory system, the
laryngeal system, and the oral motor system resulting in improved speech
intelligibility. By strengthening the muscle systems, the patient may also
see benefit in improved swallowing function.
The outpatient facilities in Clarksville, Corydon
and Jeffersonville
provide basic physical, occupational and speech rehab. Facility features include but are not limited
to: Large open gym with state-of-the-art equipment Modalities to reduce pain and swelling and promote muscle
re-education including: Traction, Ultrasound, Electrical stimulation, Moist heat, Ice and paraffin,
Therapists with specialty training in manual therapy,
Functional Capacity Evaluations and Functional Job Analysis
Team members are eager to hear from you and begin
developing an individualized treatment plan.
You may contact the facility of your choice at the numbers below:
Frazier
Rehab Clarksville: (812) 218-6590 - Frazier
Rehab Corydon: (812) 738-4942
Frazier
Rehab Jeffersonville: (812) 282-4257 - Southern
Indiana Rehab Hospital:(812)
941-6134
Southern
Indiana Rehab Hospital Hunter Station: (812) 246-2981
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KNOW SOMEONE WHO'S A UofL FAN? LOOK AT THIS!
 Know someone who's a UofL Football Fan? Want to help PSCKY? We're blessed to be hosting a private reception with University of Louisville's new head football coach Charlie Strong on Thursday, June 17th from 6-7:30pm. All proceeds benefit PSCKY. Drinks and delicious hors d'oeuvres will be served. Live music by Bobby J, too! This is a chance to get up close and personal with Coach Strong. Tickets are $125. Call Jinn at 502-426-0888 to reserve a place, or tell a friend! |
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TOP TIPS FOR SUMMER TRAVEL
Our friend Debbie Buckler shared these tips for summer travel with us from " The Fearless Caregiver." Thanks, Debbie! - If you're flying, arrive at the airport earlier than usual to compensate for movement difficulties that might arise as you navigate security checkpoints and allow for last-minute gate changes by the airlines.
- Double-check your meds to make sure that you have more than you'll need for the trip. If you're stranded for a few days at your destination (or an airport!) before you can return home, having extra meds isn't just handy--it's a necessity!
- If you can't bring extra meds, check to see if your pharmacy is available in the town where you're traveling. Make sure you have enough refills in case you need to pick one up while you're away.
- Keep emergency numbers stored in more than one place; having them in the suitcase only can cause a problem if your luggage travels on without you. If possible, carry a small bag with extra meds and emergency info (including your doctors' numbers!).
- Plan extra time on your vacation for rest. In the excitement of the trip, it's easy to overdo it. Schedule rest time to make sure that your body isn't overtaxed or stressed; stress increases PD symptoms!
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BILLING MYSTERIES EXPLAINED
Our friends with the Movement Disorders Center shared some information in response to a question someone had in our neurological care survey: "I've been seeing the nurse practitioner. She is very good, however the office appointment is still the same charge even though I don't see a doctor." It is standard practice to have one fee for each service, for example--an office visit. When this is billed to a patient's insurance, the bill indicates the provider of the service, and that identification also indicates to reimburse at the nurse practitioner rate rather than at the physician rate. Nurse practitioners are paid at 80% of the physician fee schedules. |
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ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
 PSCKY is now on Facebook! Please "become a fan" or, in the new terminology, "like" us. Thanks to everyone who's joined up so far!We now have over 330 "fans"...and we welcome your pictures, posts and conversations on our Facebook site. Have you always wondered what a particular exercise looks like? Exercise Prescription on the Net is a free resource for the exercise fitness enthusiast featuring comprehensive exercise libraries, fitness assessment calculators and reference articles. Our friend Jay Miller shared this information about the Health Recovery Program at the International Taoist Tai Chi Society's Centre in Ontario. Looks like a great way to get away and improve overall health! |
 IN OUR COMMUNITY
The Mayor's Healthy Hometown Hike & Bike is scheduled for Memorial Day (TODAY! May 31st) at 10am at Waterfront Park. This is a great event for walkers and bikers, and there is even a wheelchair accessible route! For more information, visit here! Christ Church United Methodist ( 4614 Brownsboro Rd) will hold a Senior Expo on Wednesday, June 2nd from 10am-3pm. This free expos will include screenings, information booths and much more. For more info, contact Nancy Trentham at 502-649-7919. Our own Adina Cook will be there with an information table and screenings!The 19th Annual Floyds Fork Creek Sweep will be Saturday, June 5th from 8:30am-1pm at Floyds Fork Park. For more info or to RSVP call 502-267-6883. South East Associated Ministries will hold a Summer Reading Book Sale at Salem UCC on Saturday, June 5th from 10am-2pm and Sunday, June 6th from 1-3pm. Books, CDs, DVDs, etc. Nothing priced over $2! Call 502-499-9350 for more info! Congressman John Yarmuth will host a "Build Your Skills: A Job Hunter's Guide to Success" workshop on June 21st. Click here to learn more about this free workshop! |
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 DON'T FORGET!
MONDAY, MAY 31st
Memorial Day
6:30pm: Shelbyville "Moving On" Exercise Group ( Jewish Hospital Shelbyville Community Room (rear of hospital); Hospital Drive off Hwy 60). There is no cost for this group. For more information: call Dyna at 502.377.7562 or e-mail her at dynazehn@myway.com. TUESDAY, JUNE 1st
Jinn out of office today for daughter's graduation
12pm: Chair Yoga (Yoga at Crescent Hill, housed at Crescent Hill UMC, 201 S Peterson Ave). A chair yoga group for people with PD and care partners, led by Iyengar yoga instructor Kathleen Geile. Call 502-426-0888 to register. A $10/month donation is requested, but the class is open to all, including those with MS.
2pm: Special Meeting of the Elizabethtown Support Group (Nolin RECC, 411 Ring Rd). Dr. David Houghton, Movement Disorders Specialist with the University of Louisville's Neurology Clinic, will speak about Parkinson's disease, new therapies and Deep Brain Stimulation. For more info, please call Tina Desjourdy at 270-769-3100 x365. Everyone is welcome to this special event!
6pm: Denim & Diamond Committee Chair meeting.
6:30pm: J-town/Hurstbourne Support Group (Home Instead Senior Care; 4610 Taylorsville Rd). An open support group for people with PD, family and friends. No RSVP required. Today, Katie Flerlage with Frazier Rehab Institute will talk about LSVT LOUD and the benefits of voice therapy. For more information, call co-host Jim Baugher at 502-239-6100.
7pm: Floyd County Support Group (Floyd Memorial Hospital, New Albany, IN. Group meets in the Paris Health Education Center, first floor, across from cafeteria). An open support group for people with PD, family and friends. For more information, call group host Richard Mattox at 812-256-5424.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2nd
9am-3pm: Adina attending the Health Expo at Christ Church UMC. Adina will be conducting screenings and sharing information about PD. This health fair is open to all; please stop by!
10am: Volunteer Assistance at PSCKY. Ann Oliver will be helping us assemble our popular and useful information packs!
5:30pm: Young Movers & Shakers Support Group (men only!) If you are a man in your 30's, 40's or 50's, please contact host Christopher Miller at 502-415-4747 for more information about and directions to this group. The group meets twice a month; everyone brings something to eat and share with the group.
7pm: "Even Bigger!" LSVT Big Practice Group(Masonic Homes of Louisville). This group meets weekly under the direction of trained LSVT Big therapists from Frazier Rehab to practice BIG exercises as a community. Participants must have completed at least 8 sessions of LSVT Big therapy and pre-register. Our special thanks to Masonic Homes of Louisville for offering space for this group! Today's leaders: Andrea O'Brien and Angela Cecil. We have an opening in this group. Please call 502-426-0888 if interested.
9am: "MOVE IT OR LOSE IT!" Exercise Group (Norton Audubon Hospital, Joint Care Gym, 6th floor). Weekly mobility and movement (dance, yoga & Pilates) group led by certified instructor Amy Robinson and medically supervised by Zorre' Kimura. To register, email support@pscky.org or call 426-0888. You may join in at any time, but pre-registration is requested. There is no cost & special parking has been arranged.
6:30pm: Shelbyville "Moving On" Exercise Group (Family Activities Center at Clear Creek Parks (717 Burks Branch Rd)). There is no cost for this group. For more information: call Dyna at 502.377.7562 or e-mail her at dynazehn@myway.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 4th
Staff will not be in office today, as we are preparing for tonight's "Denim & Diamonds Celebration." If you need immediate assistance, please call Jinn at 502-640-7141 or Katherine at 502-314-8307.
9am: PSCKY staff at Historic Locust Grove, helping prepare for tonight's event.
Noon:
Deadline for next week's e-newsletter. If you have a question,
article
or musing you'd like to share, it's more than welcome! Please email to info@pscky.org. Thanks!
6:30pm-11pm: Denim & Diamonds Gala Celebration at Historic Locust Grove. It's not too late to reserve a seat! Call 502-426-0888 for more info!
SATURDAY, JUNE 5th
Jinn will be working at PSCKY.
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Katherine Autin, Director of Support Services
Adina Cook, Director of Outreach & Training
Jinn Fuller Renfro, Executive Director |
Proud Sponsors and Partners of PSCKY 2010 Programs & Services:
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