Panorama Hosts a Patient Education Program for Parkinson’s Awareness

panorama
Sara Wasser, Corrine Wasmundt, and Adele Hadley make up the Independent Living Services Team at Panorama. They provide a concierge style of service to residents including organizing support groups such as Living with Parkinson's.
0 Shares

 

By Lisa Herrick

panorama
Sara Wasser, Corrine Wasmundt, and Adele Hadley make up the Independent Living Services Team at Panorama. They provide a concierge style of service to residents including organizing support groups such as Living with Parkinson’s Disease.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder following Alzheimer’s. It is a progressive disorder affecting approximately one million people in the United States.

In recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Panorama is inviting the community to attend a patient education program at Panorama Continuing Care Retirement Community on Wednesday, April 29. Panorama will be hosting guest speaker Dr. Pinky Agarwal from the Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center and she will present Parkinson’s Disease: Medication and Non-Medication Options.

Panorama offers a support group to its residents who are battling Parkinson’s or for those who have been affected by the disease. The Living with Parkinson’s (LwPD) group was originally started by a Panorama resident in 2009. Due to the growth of the group and increased interest amongst residents, the LwPD group is now facilitated by Sara Wasser from Panorama’s Independent Living Social Services Department.

Sara explains, “What’s so incredibly special about LwPD is it’s more than just a monthly meeting where we hear from guest speakers and share information. It’s more like a family gathering.”

“I refer to my group members as ‘cheerleaders’ because they are constantly encouraging other residents affected with Parkinson’s disease to join the support group, exercise class and dinner group,” continues Sara. “They help each other from offering simple suggestions to driving someone to a medical appointment and lending a listening ear. They truly welcome everyone with open arms and that is the best invitation of all.”

“This month, Panorama wants to open its doors to educate, support and renew hope by inviting community members to this special event,” she adds.

Sara continues, “My group members, my cheerleaders, live with Parkinson’s every day. Some of these folks were diagnosed over 25 years ago and their spouses have provided loving care and support through their ongoing journey. Residents who have lost their spouse or partner to Parkinson’s continue to attend the meetings and dinners to maintain their strongly bonded relationships with one another. That’s how deeply rooted this group of residents are to one another. I couldn’t be more proud of what has developed over the last six years. This is why it’s personally important to me to help raise awareness in April and show support for them. I want others to learn about the disease and how coming together truly makes a difference.”

The LwPD support group is just one service provided by the Independent Living team at Panorama. Working alongside Sara is Adele Hadley and Corrine Wasmundt. Adele, Corrine and Sara are well known for their concierge style of service to the independent living Panorama residents. They offer convenient amenities and supportive resources that are free and confidential to the residents.

There are approximately 1,100 people living independently between the ages of 62 and over 100 at Panorama. Adele shares, “Panorama residents are truly out there living independently so we are not in constant contact with them. But we are here and accessible if anyone needs us. We average about 300 ‘referrals’ a month, which means we are providing some type of direct service about three hundred times monthly. This could be anything from a medical crisis that requires more intensive attention for a short period of time to ongoing nutrition counseling to a one-time referral for a bookkeeper. Regardless, our main focus is to maintain safety and quality of life for those residents living independently.”

Support services run the gamut such as providing assistance and education on long-term care goals including assisted living, rehabilitation center and long-term care policies. The trio also provides referrals to various agencies and programs which could include anything from elder law, pet care, housekeeping to hearing services and much more. Additionally, they assist with updating records, liaise and advocate with physicians and agencies, and offer a comprehensive resource library.

While Sara’s expertise has centered on Parkinson’s she also facilitates a bereavement group. Adele provides a support group for those who are a primary caregiver for a loved one at home or in a long-term care facility. Corrine facilitates a group for any resident or caregiver coping with cancer. All three professionals offer a deep understanding and care about the aging process, knowledge of safety in independent living, and expertise on how to enhance the quality of life.

Click here to learn more about the Panorama Independent Living Services.

For more information about the Parkinson’s Informational Event hosted at Panorama, please contact Sara Wasser at 360-438-7776 or sara.wasser@panorama.org.

 

Parkinson’s Patient Education Program at Panorama Auditorium

Wednesday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

1670 Circle Loop SE in Lacey

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares