Courtesy of Greystone YMCA
Pictured is Dr. Amara, who specializes in sleep research at UAB, speaking at a meeting.
After speaking with several of her clients about their struggles with Parkinson’s disease, Andrea Pindroh said, she realized just how much support patients and their caretakers need and how little resources in the area they are offered.
That’s why Pindroh, the Greystone YMCA healthy living director, decided to create a free monthly support group for people with Parkinson’s and their caretakers.
On the second Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m., several dozen people gather at the Greystone YMCA to hear a local doctor or researcher give a presentation about struggles with the disease and then answer questions.
“Parkinson’s is a very, very multifaceted disease, and every person diagnosed has different symptoms. It’s never the same across the board,” Pindroh said. “I think it’s important for them to be able to get together. Some may have the same symptoms and talk about how to handle them or just to be made aware of the symptoms that could be coming down the road, and maybe how to delay them or to best handle them.”
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that slowly develops over years and can inhibit mobility, speech and other functions. People can experience a variety of severe symptoms, most of which seriously affect the quality of life, Pindroh said. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, nearly 60,000 people are diagnosed with it each year, and it is estimated 10 million people worldwide are living with it.
Since the group’s inception in February, Pindroh said, she has been shocked and happy with the large number of people coming out for more information and resources.
During the meetings, they also give out helpful printouts about the disease, offer snacks and coffee and often break into small groups for more detailed question and answer sessions. At the start of each meeting, Pindroh said, they also review ground rules and the importance of confidentiality.
“A whole lot changes between the person with Parkinson’s and their spouse, and there are so many symptoms of Parkinson’s that are not just movement related. It affects their mood, it affects their facial features and sometimes they lose the ability to smile,” Pindroh said. “It causes all kind of intimacy issues, and it really throws the relationship for a huge loop.”
The person with Parkinson’s often needs their caretaker’s help to get dressed, go to the bathroom and other day-to-day tasks, so it can cause a lot of stress, she added.
So far, the meetings have been eye-opening for not only her, but also many of the caretakers involved.
Pindroh said people are welcome to attend even if they are not YMCA members because the YMCA didn’t want to create any barriers for people in need.
The Greystone YMCA is located 5414 U.S. 280. For more information, email Pindroh at apindroh@ymcabham.org.
