We've been learning a lot recently about clinical trials, thanks in large part to our friend and PWP Karen deGraaf. I hope you've enjoyed her recent articles as much as I have!

The University of Kentucky is studying a link between Parkinson's disease and depression. Depression is a common and potentially serious complication of Parkinson's disease.  The University of Kentucky is looking for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease who have depression for a neuroimaging research study. This study is not a treatment study, but qualified participants will be compensated for their time and travel. The study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.  For more information, contact Chris Miara at 859-257-9223 ex. 2 or visit www.mc.uky.edu/parkinson_imaging.

The Southeastern Parkinson Disease Conference and the National Young Onset Parkinson Conference join together this October for a weekend of education, support and advocacy. Join the conference on October 15-17, 2010 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in College Park, Georgia. To register, please visit this website!

Elder abuse, neglect and exploitation are largely under-reported and under-recognized throughout the world, said Steven Fisher, manager of the Adult Safety Branch, part of the CHFS Department for Community Based Services (DCBS).

Reporting suspected abuse or neglect is Kentucky law, and it's confidential. Fisher said that DCBS received more than 12,000 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of people age 60 and older for state fiscal year 2009.

Learn to recognize the following signs of neglect and abuse.

Neglect
─ Obvious malnutrition, dehydration
─ Dirty and uncombed hair, dirty and torn or climate-inappropriate clothes, offensive body odor
─ Hoarding
─ Lack of glasses, dentures or hearing aid or lack of medical care
─ Bedsores
─ Recent suffering or loss of spouse, family members or close friends
 
Physical Abuse
─ Frequent injuries such as bruises, burns, broken bones; explanation of the injury seems unrealistic
─ Multiple bruises in various stages of healing, particularly bruises on inner arms or thighs
─ Pain on being touched
─ Loss of bowel and bladder control
─ Never leaves the house; never allows visitors
─ Never mentions family or friends
 
Sexual Abuse
─ Evidence of sexually transmitted disease
─ Irritation or injuries to the mouth, genitals or anus
─ Upset when changed or bathed
─ Fearful of a particular person
─ Loss of bowel and bladder control
 
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
─ Isolated from family and friends
─ Sudden dramatic change in behavior: appears withdrawn, depressed, hesitant to talk openly
─ Caregiver won't let victim speak for herself or himself
─ Caregiver scolds, insults, threatens victim
─ Trembling, clinging
 
Financial Abuse
─ Unusual activity in bank account; sudden large withdrawals, expenditures that are not consistent with past financial history
─ Use of automated teller machines (ATM) when the person has no history of using ATMs or cannot walk
─ A recent will, when the person seems incapable of writing a will
─ Rights signed away on legal papers without understanding what the papers mean
─ Unpaid bills, such as house payment, rent, taxes, utilities

If you believe an elderly person is being abused, neglected or exploited, call (800) 752-6200, Kentucky's abuse hotline, or Indiana's hotline at 1-800-992-6978. If you believe there is imminent risk, immediately call 911 or local law enforcement.

Many people with PD experience back and other pain. Some people find that massage therapy is beneficial in improving discomfort. Some of the benefits?

• Stress reduction
• Improvement in muscle flexibility
• Increased circulation
• Improvement in sleep

Here's some tips related to massage:

• Makes sure the therapist graduated from a certified school and is licensed and certified. Two sites for finding a therapist in your area are the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and the American Massage Therapy Association.
• Check with your doctor to see if he or she feels massage would be right for you.
• Check with your health care provider. Some insurance carriers are recognizing the benefits of massage and may help cover fees (which generally range between $30-60/hour).
• Understand that massage is not just a "luxury" but might greatly improve your quality of life.
  

Our friend, and PWP, Jay Miller let us know about the Taoist Tai Chi Society's new classes forming now.

• Starting June 29th: Meets on Tuesdays from 5:30-7pm at McMahan Plaza
• Starting July 18th: Meets on Sundays from 5:30-7pm at McMahan Plaza
• Starting July 31st: Meets on Saturdays from 9:30-11am at McMahan Plaza

For more information, please call 502-614-6424 or visit the Society's website!

Arden Courts of Louisville presents "The Virtual Dementia Tour" at Clark Memorial Hospital (Jeffersonville IN) on Wednesday, July 21st. Please join in this life-changing event! Through a variety of simulations, the virtual dementia room will allow you to experience what it's like to suffer from Alzheimer's and dementia firsthand. By providing this experience, it is hoped that participants will take away a greater sense of the struggle their loved ones or patients feel on a daily basis.

• DATE: Wednesday, July 21st
• TIME: Appointments available in 15-minute increments from 8am-4pm
• LOCATION: Clark Memorial Hospital, Classroom One
  
• CONTACT: Ashley Oliver at 812-283-2742

Reservations are required as there are very limited spaces! Please call immediately to reserve your spot!

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 350 "fans"...and we welcome your pictures, posts and conversations on our Facebook site.

June is National Men's Health Month. This site offers resources to encourage men to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

June is also National Home Safety Month. The Home Safety Council website offers great tips about how to make your home safer. Check it out!

Jefferson County Public Schools Adult and Continuing Education is offering leisure-learning and career-enhancing classes in the Summer Lifelong Learning Session. Classes begin the week of July 12th (unless otherwise noted). Call 502-485-3400 for more info.

This article shares more unfortunate news re: the suspected link between pesticides and Parkinson's Disease.

You may enjoy a visit to the Parkinson's Network website. The site is continuously updated with news about PD. There is also a free monthly newsletter, if you're interested!

The Farmers' Market and Multicultural Bazaar at Jewish Family and Career Services is held each Sunday through October from 12:30-4:30pm. Different immigrant cultures will be featured each week. For more info, call 502-452-6341.

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!

The Pressure Cooker--a special event focused on reducing high blood pressure--will be held on Saturday, June 26, from 9:30am-2pm at the Ken Ellis Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Free gifts, screenings, cooking demonstrations and more! Call 502-629-1234 for more information.

Speak America will hold one of 20 national town hall meetings in Louisville on June 26th. Citizens are invited to attend to share their perspectives on the nation's economy, as well as listen to others' views. Space is limited and registration required. AmericaSpeaks is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with the mission to reinvigorate American democracy by engaging citizens in public decision-making.

Discover various techniques for storing and preserving your garden produce at the Canning, Drying and Freezing Program at the Community Gardens at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park on Sunday, June 27th at 2pm. Call the park office for more info at 502-429-7270.

Christ Church UMC and the Norton Cancer Institute are hosting free, on-site breast, cervical, prostate and colon cancer screenings for anyone age 40-75 on Wednesday, June 30th from 10:30am-3:30pm. For more info, call 502-899-6842.

Day Spring will be having its annual yard sale on July 10th from 9am-Noon at St. Gabriel Church Gym (5505 Bardstown Rd). If you have items you'd like to donate to the sale, please call 636-5990.