One of the recurring themes we hear from groups is the need for Caregiver resources. WPA is committed to helping the whole family manage Parkinson disease. For example, we recently created a Caregiver Committee to help us better understand the specific needs and resources our care partners are searching for as they help care for and support a loved one with PD.
Here are some updates from our most recent Caregiver Committee meeting:
- The most recent issue of our magazine was a special double issue – featuring both information for people with PD and for Caregiver.
- Caregiver Survey. This survey was included in the magazine as well as emailed. We asked for information on topics of interest, and resources this group needs. See the upcoming issue of the magazine for results.
- Ambassador Program. This committee is helping us design a program to connect care partners with others who can share their experience with common issues faced by caregivers in our PD community. The results of our survey will play a large part in helping the committee move forward to design the topics addressed by the Ambassadors.
- Caregiver resources on our website. This is a resource requested by many of you at our Facilitator Training last June, and we will be establishing this page in 2019. We hope to include an area where facilitators can share resources such as successful speaker options, event and activity ideas and more!
On a similar note, we are working on a WPA Volunteer Program, as many in our PD community have expressed an interest in giving back and helping others. Roles such as helping to assist an facilitator with monthly meetings, filling packets for events, assist at an exercise class, etc. are just some of the roles we have in place for volunteers. Watch for a formal update soon on the WPA Volunteer Program!