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(Medical-NewsWire.com, March 17, 2015 ) Boca Raton, FL -- Paradise Home Health Care in Southeast Florida has been chosen by the South Palm Beach Chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation to facilitate Caregiver Support Groups at both the Boca Raton and Boynton Beach YMCAs.
The National Parkinson Foundation offers many services to its members. These range from educational materials and presentations, Tai Chi, fundraisers for Research, Music therapy as well as providing Exercise programs and Caregiver Support Groups at local YMCAs.
Sherry Picker, MSW with Paradise Home Health Care has a strong background in facilitating Caregiver Support groups and says, "While I was in Graduate School to become a Social Worker, I thought I wanted to work clinically with individuals but have found groups to be my niche. When a group of people come together with something in common and can share their experiences, knowledge and feelings with each other, it is magical".
Since Parkinson Disease is a Neurological Movement Disorder, it is very important that folks with this disease keep moving, exercising, dancing, boxing and other forms of physical therapy. Since it is usually their spouse who brings them to the YMCA, they usually stick around and NPF finds this time to be very productive to offer a Caregiver Support Group. Members appreciate having this service offered while they are already at the Y and not having to block out other time to take care of some of their own needs.
Karen Altonen of SPBCCNPF relates; "we started with just a couple of people and it is so gratifying to see that the group has grown to between fifteen and twenty participants."
Linda LeMonte, founder of PHHC shares, "Although Paradise Home Health Care primarily assists Older Adults with personal care and household chores, we feel strongly about contributing to our community. Volunteering with our chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation gives us a wonderful opportunity to help educate and guide familial caregivers as we also help reduce some of their ever present stress."
More information is available either from PHHC - 561-672-7170 or with NPF's Jack Mueller - 561-322-9508.
At the Boca Raton YMCA - the Surf & Turf Movement Program is on Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15. In a separate room, spouses gather for the Caregiver Support Group.
The schedule at the Boynton Beach YMCA is - Monday, Wednesday and Fridays mornings 10:00 to 11:00 for Surf & Turf and the Caregiver Support Group is at the same time in a different room on Mondays only.
Eunice, a participant in Boca Raton adds, "I thought I knew a lot about caregiving, since I've been doing so with my husband for over ten years, but I find that I usually learn something new, and I enjoy the comradery with the group."
Stephanie, a caregiver for her brother in Boynton Beach says, "This group is a lifeline for me. The other woman and a few men are so supportive. I grab my coffee, my brother and head for the Y on Mondays."
Caregiver Stress is a 24/7 emotional weight and often there is physical care performed. There is no "training" for this job, no salary, benefits and no vacations. The PD Support Groups help by discussing individual concerns of living with and caring for a loved one with a degenerative disease, bringing in guest speakers to address specific related topics and sharing hope for a cure by presenting what is new in treatment and research.
Ms. Picker adds: "usually when a member brings up a concern of their loved one, be it depression, medication questions, sleep disorders, frustration, other physical concerns of the disease, it is the other members who discuss what they have tried and what has worked, or not worked for them."
The members keep in touch with each other and Ms. Picker during the week and their email contact is greatly valued when the snowbirds return north. Some of these snowbirds live in towns where there isn't a lot of Parkinson support so staying connected is very satisfying and helpful.
Should any organization in either Broward or Palm Beach counties wish to start a Support Group, please contact Sherry at Paradise Home Health Care - 561-376-6225.
About Paradise Home Health Care:
Paradise Home Health Care matches fully screened and experienced non-medical caregivers - (Home Care Aides and Certified Nursing Assistants) as well as private duty nursing services, (LPNs and RNs) with seniors living in Boca Raton and neighboring cities.
Home Health Care services are tailored to the needs and preferences of our clients, with pleasant and knowledgeable caregivers assisting with activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, toileting, cooking, light housekeeping, transportation, medication reminders, medication management (administered by licensed nurses) and companionship.
Call: (561) 672-7170 for the Palm Beach County Office
or
(954) 299-5080 for Broward County
Paradise Home Health Care
Linda LeMonte
(561) 672-7170
linda@paradisehomehealthcare.com
Source: EmailWire.Com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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