Open online class to inform about Parkinson’s

Iowa State Extension & Outreach will be hosting a series of online classes to increase awareness around Parkinson’s disease. The classes will be led by Health and Human Sciences Specialist Leah Brooke, who has taught this class across multiple counties in southwest Iowa.

Three classes have been scheduled as a part of the series “A Journey Through Parkinson’s Disease.” The first will occur at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3. Each class is accessed after registering for the classes through The Iowa State Extension & Outreach website at extension.iowastate.edu.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease which affects movement. Early symptoms are commonly seen with tremors, slow movement and a rigidity in muscles.

A large problem with Parkinson’s is the difficulty in diagnosis. Common symptoms associated with Parkinson’s are sometimes brushed aside as natural parts of growing older. Most diagnosed with Parkinson’s are over the age of 50.

“The biggest trouble is the birthday,” Brooke said. “The greatest risk factor is getting older.”

In addition, the time it would take for a diagnosis often requires months-long waits for specialists with experience in diagnosing Parkinson’s. The time between visits with a specialist can last as long as six months, according to Brooke.

With how difficult it is to get access for a diagnosis, and the criteria for diagnosis being incomplete due to an industry-wide difficulty in research, information on the disease needs more awareness.

“We have to do more research to have a diagnostic test,” said Brooke. “Parkinson’s is the number two most common neurodegenerative disease behind Alzheimer’s/dementia. It’s just not widely-known.”

“A Journey Through Parkinson’s Disease” is an open class, not just available for those who have been diagnosed with the disease. Anyone who is looking for more information, including professional caretakers, medical professionals or family members with someone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, are welcome to join the classes.

The class’ availability online through Zoom is a major feature. With how Parkinson’s can affect movement, and the ability to travel not always guaranteed, having access to pivotal information available within attendee’s homes is a major win for accessibility.

The first class on Monday will cover symptoms of Parkinson’s and cover what to expect when visiting a neurologist for the first time. The process of receiving a diagnosis can be complex, so the class will guide attendees through the process, including providing a list of local neurologists.

A week later on Feb. 10, the second class will explain the causes of Parkinson’s. A detailed examination of the functions of neurons in the human brain will be given, and how the degeneration of these neurons can lead to symptoms of Parkinson’s.

The final class on Feb. 17 will instruct attendees on alternative therapies and at-home activities to promote healthy living under Parkinson’s. Brooke said this class is valuable as it promotes those with Parkinson’s as living happy and full lives, not letting the disease define how they live.

The meetings are free and available to those who register at the Iowa State Extension & Outreach website. Information handouts and additional resources for Parkinson’s are available at www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/parkinsons.