One in 10 Australians diagnosed with Parkinson’s every year are under 40.
A new report reveals that young Australians with Parkinson’s are overlooked,experience a lack of support and require urgent assistance.
March 2010: One in 10 Australians are under 40 years of age when diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Current groups and supportnetworks for people living with Parkinson’s falsely presume that the majority diagnosed are in an older age bracket.
At this week’s Parliamentary Morning Tea, the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health, MarkButler (on behalf of the Federal Government), will be presented with a brand new report – Living with Young OnsetParkinson’s Disease, the issues and impact of young onset Parkinson’s diseasein Australia.
The physical and psychological consequences of Parkinson’s disease touches all aspects of young Australian’s lives – potentially affecting their employment, finances, relationships and ability to raise children. The detailed report identifies thelack of information and services available for people living with young onset Parkinson’s in Australia.
Parkinson’s Australia hopes the report will drive reforms in the quest to maximise the quality of life for young Australians living with Parkinson’s disease. The report maps out the strategies needed to ensure that this group of young Australians have therelevant assistance and information they need.
The report will be presented by three young Australian women living with Parkinson’s and Dr ChrisFyffe, Disability Consultant. The morning tea will be hosted by Senator Carol Brown (Tasmania), Convenor of the Parkinson’s Parliamentary Group.
About Parkinson’s disease – Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive and incurable disease with substantial disability. It is one of the most common neurological conditions in Australia, second only to dementia. Parkinson’s disease presents many physical and psychological challenges to those affected bythe disease and their families, including financial and economic costs. Symptoms include tremors, rigidity, depression and hallucinations.
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