A new ‘Parkinson’s Café’ in Dartmouth will help to support those suffering from the degenerative disease, and will also help their carers.
Held in the new Dartmouth Community Café in the Old Market Square on the third Thursday of every month, the café will hold activities, offer support and hold information presentations. Its first meeting will be held on Thursday September 15.
The aim is to create a support group for those with Parkinson’s – a progressive disease which creates muscle tremors and other physical problems. One of the challenges of the disease is that although it causes great physical problems, the patient’s intellectual ability is not impaired.
There is no cure, though new treatments to help manage its symptoms are being developed all the time.
The café is being facilitated by Dartmouth Caring after a suggestion from Dartmouth resident David Merriman, who is a Parkinson’s sufferer.
David, 62, was diagnosed with the disease in October 2005. He only stopped working as a civil engineer after Christmas 2010, so is living proof that managing the disease is possible in the long term.
‘The aim of the group is to ensure that those affected by Parkinson’s can get support and not feel isolated,’ he said. ‘We hope that the group will feature talks, support and activities which keep the minds of those who come along active. This is a physical condition and it’s important for people with it to keep their mind stimulated – it really helps.
‘This group will also hopefully be a great place for the carers of sufferers to get some respite and support from others in similar positions. My wife Sylvia has been immensely supportive and it will be a great thing for her to meet other carers and chat about her experiences.’
At the café each month will be Sian Day, a trained Parkinson’s nurse who is an expert on the disease. She will be able to give advice on treatments and help sufferers to access the right healthcare for them as the disease progresses.
Dartmouth Caring chairman Dee Nutt said: ‘We are helping to facilitate this café because we think it will make a massive difference to the lives of those touched by this disease. It is welcoming to all, and we will run it according to the wishes of its members – if they want information on a certain subject, then we will arrange it. The important thing about this group is that we make sure it is run in a way that its members like and respond to.’
The first Parkinson’s Café will be held in the Community Café in the Old Market in Dartmouth on Thursday September 15 at 11am, and will run till 12.30pm. For more details or to arrange transport call Dartmouth Caring on 01803 835384.
Phil Scoble 