PARKINSONNEWS

MARCH 2016 MCI(P) 081/04/2015

PWR! TALK

On 8th January 2016, PSS invited Dr Claire McLean from Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) to conduct ‘Exercise as Medicine’. Response for the talk was great, with around 40 guests filling the venue to capacity.

The talk emphasised the importance of exercise and its effects on brain health and efficiency. Dr McLean explained how regular physical activity could improve the conditions of People with Parkinson (PwP) in their pre-clinical, early/moderate and advanced stages.

Regular exercise is essential in keeping PwP healthy and active. It has multiple physiological, psychological and physical benefits as exercise can protect the body against degeneration. Engaging in regular exercises can help to slow down the progression of Parkinson and minimise disability in individuals.

Our members and caregivers found the talk beneficial. PSS member Ricky commented, “We learn about other Parkinson establishments, and the talk also makes us more aware of available resources out there.”

PSS member Elan added, “It was informational and useful. The speaker is very knowledgeable.”

I AM A PSS VOLUNTEER!

Parkinson News spoke to both new and longtime PSS volunteers who assist in our weekly Physiotherapy sessions about their volunteering experiences.

Advice for those who are new to volunteering?

JANE GEE: I think anyone can volunteer. Simply be open to getting your hands involved.

HUI NGO: Stay cheerful!

HUEY PYNG: Go with an open heart and open mind and see where you can help. React accordingly to each situation.

CYNTHIA PONNANA: You have to be sincere and possess an in-built passion. You need to build a rapport with the patients, try to place yourself in their shoes and they will feel comfortable working with you.

LAWRENCE YONG: I think it depends very much on the individual. Perhaps the one universal ingredient is the willingness to break out from the comfort zone of one’s shell and reach out with the aim of creating awareness and inspiring others in the area of volunteerism. With this attitude in mind, volunteering becomes a heartwarming effort. It is important to remember that volunteering is based on giving rather than receiving.

Why volunteer?

HUEY PYNG: The joy of giving. When you see patients responding to

your actions, it makes you feel good.

JASON FOO: Helping others is also helping yourself. I can also relate better to the people who are having the same condition.

LOO ENG HAI: Volunteering will set a good example for your children.

What do you enjoy about volunteering at PSS?

LOO ENG HAI: Interacting with the patients and seeing how they consistently exercise to maintain their physical health inspires us and is a reward for us.

HUEY PYNG: When you come you get refreshed. You feel encouraged as well. You feel growth.

CYNTHIA PONNANA: There is the interaction with the patients, and that interaction is valuable to me. Volunteering is like a routine for me. I have built up a relationship with the members, and I also learn a lot from them.

LAWRENCE YONG: Volunteering at PSS is very meaningful and enjoyable. As a PwP myself, I can feel a sense of camaraderie and identity.Do you face any

challenges?

JANE GEE: I’m trying to learn a bit of Mandarin. But there’s always a way to communicate.

PARKINSON SUPPORT GROUP CALENDAR 2016

Sessions conducted by SGH will be held at the Learning Space (Block 6, Level 1). For enquiries, please contact Nurse Usanee at 9295 3331 or email neurocare@sgh.com.sg.

Sessions conducted by TTSH will be held at the National Neuroscience Outpatient Clinic (Level 1). For enquiries, please call 6357 7138.

Sessions conducted by CGH will be held at Meeting Room 34, Level 3 Integrated Building (opposite Medical Social Services). For enquiries, please call Medical Social Services at 6426 8600 or 6426 8601.

Singapore General Hospital (SGH)

Music Therapy

4th April11am – 1pm

Facilitator: Music Therapist

Tips on Cognition and Memory

9th May 11am – 1pm

Facilitator: Occupational Therapist

Community Resources for Parkinson’s

6th June 11am – 1pm

Facilitator: Medical Social Worker

Advanced Parkinson Treatment: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

(English)

14th April 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Facilitator: Dr Nicolas Kon (Consultant, Neurosurgery, NNI)

Parkinson and Memory Problems (Mandarin)

12th May 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Facilitator: Dr Ng Kok Pin (Registrar, Neurologist, NNI)

Parkinson & Memory Problems (English)

9th June 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Facilitator: Dr Adeline Ng (Consultant, Neurologist, NNI)

Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)

Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Regimen

5th May 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Facilitator: Doctor & Pharmacist

Moving with Parkinson’s Disease – Reviewing Movement Strategies

30th June 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Facilitator: Physiotherapist

Changi General Hospital (CGH)

Sleep Difficulties

Saturday, 28th May 20162pm – 4pm

Speaker: Dr Shahul Hameed (Consultant, Neurologist)

Memory and Cognitive ChangesSaturday, 30th July 2016

2pm – 4pm

Speaker: Dr Kinjal Doshi(Principal Clinical Psychologist)

YPC is a support group for PSS members who had been diagnosed between the ages 35 to 59. This programme is conducted at The Parkinson Centre. Please call to register.

YOUTHFUL PARKINSON CIRCLE (YPC)

PROGRAMMES AT THE PARKINSON CENTRE

KARAOKE @ YMCA

In collaboration with YMCA, karaoke sessions are held once a month on Saturday at the YMCA International House. These sessions provide a platform for music lovers to have fun and socialise through singing.

Please refer to following schedule for session dates:

Please call to register at least three days before commencement of each session.

TAI CHI

Originating in ancient China, Tai Chi enhances the health of both mind and body. Practising Tai Chi increases stamina, coordination balance, mental strength, and strengthens blood circulation, among many other health benefits.Our instructor Ms Jennifer Chung conducts both sitting and standing sessions to cater for the various mobility conditions of PSS members.

DANCE THERAPY

Our dance therapy programme allows participants to experience their bodies without the pressure to achieve or enhance flexibility. Through the utilisation of movement, dance therapy improves the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of each participant.

YOGA

Yoga is a discipline to create ease in the body, and from bodily ease comes mental calmness within ourselves. The sessions allow participants to adapt the asanas (postures or positions designed to enhance the body’s functions) and classes to individual conditions so that everyone can get started in yoga. Starting with the standing poses, our instructors will progressively add on other groups of asanas such as twists, backbends, and hip openers to increase mobility and strength over time through regular practice.

MOVING WELL WITH PARKINSON - PHYSIOTHERAPY EXERCISE

Our physiotherapy programme aims to maintain one’s abilities, strengthen muscles, increase joint mobility and build up general fitness and health. Regular exercise is crucial in improving one’s general well-being and mood. Sessions are conducted by our friendly Physiotherapists Andrea Chou, Munira Aliasgar Moochhala, and Tasneem Basrai.

ENABLING MUSIC

The Enabling Music Programme aims to empower and improve the functional skills of PwP. It uses a combination of music and movement techniques to lift spirits, promote self-expression and encourage connectivity through Assistive Music Technology (AST).

MAX MIND

Max Mind is a specially tailored programme, designed by Occupational Therapists (OTs) for PwP. Max Mind focuses on developing and continuously practising different cognitive skills and strategies to function successfully in daily living activities. The aim is to equip participants with these skills to enhance their well-being.

DO RE MI (VOCAL TRAINING)

The Do Re Mi programme encourages participants to practise and sing along to karaoke hits. Participants can take turns to lead the class in singing. Apart from being a vocal exercise, singing is also a mood-lifter as it boosts one’s social and emotional well-being.

2016 SCHEDULE

14th May 2016 17th September 2016

18th June 2016 15th October 2016

16th July 2016 19th November 2016

20th August 2016

POH YEN

ANGELINE

ANDREA

MUNIRA

TASNEEM

MING MIN

RUI MIN

SHIRLEEN

CHARMAINE GINA

JENNIFER

MAX MIND PROGRAMME AT ST LUKE’SMax Mind is a specially tailored cognitive programme in Singapore, designed by Occupational Therapists for People with Parkinson (PwP). The programme focuses on developing and continuously practising different cognitive skills and strategies to help participants function successfully in daily living activities.

Benefits of Max Mind include:

• Building of a support network• Keeping the mind active through cognitive

stimulation games • Learning lifestyle redesign• Learning strategies to overcome cognitive

challenges in daily life

For enquiries, please contact Ms Tan Ai Hua at 6895 3283.

MOVING WELL WITH PARKINSON - EXERCISE CLASSES AT ST LUKE’SWeekly sessions of physiotherapy are conducted at various St Luke’s ElderCare (SLEC) centres to allow greater accessibility for participants. For more information, please contact the respective centre managers.

BUKIT TIMAH CENTRE Blk 310 Clementi Ave 4, #01-263, Singapore 120310 Tel: 6873 1772

CHANGKAT CENTREBlk 350/351 Tampines St 33, #01-438, Singapore 520350Tel: 6789 9956

TELOK BLANGAH CENTREBlk 33 Telok Blangah Way, #01-1038, Singapore 090033Tel: 6273 3466

YISHUN CENTREBlk 740 Yishun Ave 5, #01-490, Singapore 760740Tel: 6759 9053

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LIFE IN BALANCE – EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUEEmotional Freedom Technique or EFT is an amazing healing technique that is easy to learn and produces profound effects for our participants such as relief from stress, pain and distress. EFT uses elements of Cognitive Therapy and Exposure Therapy, and combines them with Acupressure, in the form of fingertip tapping on acupuncture points.

This programme is conducted at The Parkinson Centre. Please call to register.

Saturday, 23rd April 2016

9.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday, 30th July 2016

9.30am – 12.30pm

CAREGIVERS’ WORKSHOP

This programme is conducted at The Parkinson Centre. Please call to register.

Saturday, 18th June 2016

9am – 12pm

WAYS YOU CAN DONATE

To make a donation to us by post, please mail cheque to:

Parkinson Society Singapore Blk 191 Bishan Street 13, #01-415, Singapore 570191

All donations $50 and above are entitled to tax deductions. Kindly include full name, NRIC No. and contact number on reverse side of cheque.

PARKINSON SOCIETY SINGAPORE (PSS)UEN S96SS0203JBlk 191 Bishan Street 13 #01-415 Singapore 570191Tel: 6353 5338 I Email: info@parkinson.org.sgwww.parkinson.org.sg

PRESIDENTMs Julie Lau

VICE PRESIDENTMr Marcus Lam

SECRETARYA/Prof Louis Tan

TREASURERMs Christine Kang

ASSISTANT TREASURERMr Charles Foo

COMMITTEE MEMBERSA/Prof Au Wing LokDr Tan Siok BeeMs Neo Lay TinMs Theresa GohMr Hung Kwang HouMr Melvyn ChiangDr Dawn TanDr Tay Kay YawMs Li WeiDr Tan Hooi Hwa

Mr Philip Tan

PSS BOARD

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Information correct at the time of printing

DONATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSINDIVIDUAL DONORS

Dr Tan Boon Wan$1,000

Mdm Fong Seow Hua$1,000

Thank you!

DONATE ONLINE VIA SG GIVES

www.sggives.org

DONATE ONLINE VIA GIVEASIA

www.giveasia.org

DONATE ONLINE VIA GIVING.SG

www.giving.sg

DONATE BY CHEQUE / POST

Cheques made payable to “Parkinson Society

Singapore”