Have Parkinson’s Disease? We have something you need to be aware of.

If you or a loved one have Parkinson’s Disease, there’s an initiative that you should be aware of before your next planned or even unexpected hospital stay.

It’s called Aware in Care, a campaign started by the Parkinson’s Foundation and approved and supported by the St. Josephs/Candler Movement Disorders Program. Aware in Care promotes safe hospitalization for Parkinson’s patients. It begins with an Aware in Care kit.

“The kit is a fantastic advocacy tool,” says Katy Harne, SJ/C Movement Disorders Program outreach coordinator. Harne is also an Aware In Care ambassador. “I believe this kit urges people to look at advanced planning and helps people advocate for themselves if a hospital stay is needed.”

Related Article: St. Joseph’s/Candler program designed to help patients with movement disorders

The Parkinson’s Foundation created this initiative when studies showed that Parkinson’s patients were at an increased risk for complications during hospital stays, Harne says. That mostly has to do with the medications that Parkinson’s patients take.

“The kit addresses one of the most common concerns for Parkinson’s patients, when medications are missed, omitted, delayed or substituted. These minor changes to medication regimen can cause dramatic consequences for that patient,” Harne says. “This campaign was created to hopefully avoid any unnecessary complications and includes other health education resources.”

The kit is full of helpful resources for patients, caregivers and their healthcare team. On the very front of the kit is an

identification card to list the patient’s name, phone number, primary care physician and neurologist along with their phone numbers. The kit also includes:

• A Parkinson’s bracelet
• A magnet that can go on a board in your hospital room
• A wallet card you can carry with you in case of an unplanned hospital visit
• A medication form for the patient to list all the medications they are currently taking
• A fact sheet that lists medications that are typically safe for Parkinson’s patients and a list of medications that have been shown to counteract with common Parkinson’s medications
• A Hospital Action Plan to help the patient and caregiver be ready for a hospitalization
• Special considerations fact sheet for Duopa Therapy and Deep Brain Stimulation

Aware in Care kits are free and distributed by Aware in Care ambassadors like Harne. You can receive one by calling her at 912-819-2224 or email her at harneka@sjchs.org. Harne also hands out kits at support groups and educational events, and she tries to always have some on hand if you have an unexpected hospitalization and would like one immediately.

“I would say the main purpose of this kit is to advocate for yourself and your health care,” Harne says. “That’s what we are hoping everyone does so all their needs are met and their wishes respected.”

SAVE THE DATE

The St. Joseph’s/Candler Movement Disorders Program is hosting its annual Movement Disorders Seminar on Friday, April 19, 2024. Registration and vendor fair begin at 8:30 a.m.; the program ends at 2:30 p.m. The seminar will take place at the Eckburg Auditorium at Savannah Technical College, 5717 White Bluff Road.. For more information, including this year’s speakers and to register for the free seminar, please visit our website.