May 2016 - Parkinson`s New Zealand

May 2016
Mon Tue
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Taranaki News
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Support
Meeting
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YOGA
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YOGA
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YOGA
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YOGA
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Carers
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NP Club
Pool/Pokies
10.30am on
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Hi Everybody.
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Hope you all had a good Easter and caught up with lots of family &
friends. At least the weather was kind to us here in Taranaki.
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Gail has just been to Wellington last weekend to attend the Parkinson’s
Society Annual Meeting. Unfortunately I could not go this year as it
clashed with family commitments. I am looking forward to Gail’s report,
as there was a lot to discuss this year.
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I am looking forward to the school holidays, as we will have grandchildren to stay for a few days.
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YOGA
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Support
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Pizza 10.30am
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Carers
Meeting
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Meeting 1.30pm TDC
We will find out how the “Outward Bound” crew got on last week, later in
this newsletter, or maybe the next! The weather was hopefully better
than it has been some years.
I have been a good girl and have had my Flu injection. I hope you have
all been there too, those of you that have them anyway.
June 2016
(North)
ISSUE 4 May 2016
We are so lucky in “Taradise”.
Cheers
Sandy Jones
Taranaki Young Parkinsonians (T YP)
- PwP diagnosed and currently ↓65 years -
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30 (North)
YOGA
The website for the Taranaki Parkinson’s Society can be found at
http://www.parkinsons.org.nz/our-divisions/taranaki
Page 12
Hopefully the weather will stay as it has been for the last few days.
Watch this space for information regarding an evening in June.
The date is still to be confirmed,
the venue and guest speaker are arranged
You will receive a flier by post with further details in the near future.
LOCAL CONTACTS:
Northern Notice Board
Regular Activities

1st Tuesday each month - Support Group Meeting
Tuesday 3rd May at 10am - Meet at De Burghs Lodge, Lawry St, Moturoa, Guest
Community Educators:
North Taranaki:
Email:
South Taranaki:
Email:
speaker, Bev Prankerd about her Antarctica visit - morning tea provided.

Usually the Last Monday every 2nd Month - Carers Support meetings.
REVIEWED MEETING DATE: Monday 2nd May at 1.30pm - Aromas Coffee Lounge.

Thursday each week - YOGA
(Free to all members)
10am - 11.30am, De Burghs Lodge, Lawry St, Moturoa
(Please note no Yoga during school holidays)
Last Thursday each month - Waitara Luncheon - Nancy to be in touch.
Committee
Chairperson:
Sandy Jones Ph: 06 765 0303
Vice Chairperson:
Ngaire Riley
Treasurer:
Gail Potroz
Secretary:
Beverley Prankerd
taranaki@parkinsons.org.nz
Office:
TDICT
Members:
Ruth Wiseman
Sue Allemann
If you need assistance/transport to attend these events, please
don’t hesitate to contact your Phone Buddy or Community Educator
Wednesday, 18th May - Pool and Pokies, Coffee and Chat
Taranaki Club, Gill Street, NP. The Parkinson Group is welcome at the Club from 10.30am
onward. Coffee and tea are available for a small charge. You are invited to enjoy lunch,
which is offered at a very reasonable price. Individuals must order and pay for their own
Please assemble at 10.30am. Join/make a team then after the bowling - share a pizza
10am - 12pm at the Salvation Army Rooms, Regent St, Hawera (See Pg.5 for dates)
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10.00am at the Catholic Church Hall, Hawera - Morning tea and guest speaker, Bev
1st Thursday every month - Age Concern Social Morning Events
Dorothy Horwell
Ian Lamb
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Tuesday 24th May - South Taranaki Parkinson’s Group Meeting
Prankerd talking about her Antarctica Adventure.
Pam McGuiness
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lunch provided by the Parkinson committee. Drinks can be bought from the counter.
Upcoming Activities - South
(newsletter editor)
Keith Houghton
Mary Vinnicombe
* * SUDOKU
lunches.
Tuesday 14th June - Bowlerama! and Pizza - $12.00 per person
P O Box 5015, New Plymouth 4310
Ph: 06 759 0019
Thursday 26th May meet at the Raleigh restaurant of the RSA at 11.45am
Upcoming Activities - North/South
Adell Morton - Ph: 06 757 2226
educator.taranakinorth@parkinsons.org.nz
Jill Richmond - Ph: 06 765 6870
educator.taranakisouth@parkinsons.org.nz
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Please Note
This Newsletter is
placed on the Parkinson NZ website each
month.
(See Pg 12)
On this website you
can also find information about:
 contacting your
Community Educators
 regular meeting
dates
 change of address
forms
 subscriptions payment forms
Recipes for life…
(‘Excerpts from Age Concern’s booklet ‘ Ageing is living - Recipes for life’)
JILL’S SOUTHERN JOTTINGS
Thanks to all who made an effort to attend our Coffee and Catch-up meeting in March. It
Enjoyment It’s no wonder people say “laughter is the best medicine”.

Fun laughter and a sense of enjoyment are guaranteed to add a
health-giving zest to your life. Get into the habit of adding a big daily
dose to your life.

Try writing yourself a daily prescription - one really good
laugh/chuckle, one enjoyable activity and one contact with a person
who makes me laugh.

See the funny side of incidents and life and laugh.

Develop your sense of humour - think of it as a muscle that needs
constant toning.

Get into the habit of taking pleasure from small things - and count
your blessings.

Smile - It will make you feel good, and others too.

Sing - Even if you can’t hold a tune, it will still make you feel good.

Physical activity can make you feel good too, especially if it increases
your breathing and heart rate. Anything you enjoy that does this will
do the trick.

Enjoying any ‘hands on’ recreational activity is a positive move. Be adventurous - Try and get out of your comfort zone from time to time.
Don’t put anything off.
Life is not a dress rehearsal...
was really great to get feedback regarding what types of events/activities you would like to
have at our meetings.
I am really keen to follow up with the idea I put to the group regarding getting a “Carer
Support Group” organised. If this is something you would like to be involved in, please
give me a call.
Our May meeting is being held at the Catholic Church Hall, Hawera, on 24th May
2016 at 10am; with the usual cuppa and morning tea. Bev Prankerd is going to entertain
us with stories from her recent Antarctic Adventure. Hopefully you will mark this date in
your calendar as it will no doubt prove to be very enlightening.
Hopefully you are all managing a better sleep at night now that it has cooled down. I for
one, sure have! Not quite electric blanket material yet, but the evenings are certainly nippy.
Now is the time to start thinking about getting your annual flu vaccination, to help ward off the winter bugs. No doubt your GP will be telling
you the same thing.
In April, I attended an Arthritis New Zealand seminar at Opunake. Very informative speakers, and I got the opportunity to try Tai Chi for the first time! Tai Chi classes are going
to commence in Hawera on the 28th April 2016 for anybody who is interested.
See the flyer on page 5 for more information.
I mentioned in last month’s newsletter that South Taranaki Age Concern will be holding Monthly Social Mornings on the 1st Thursday of each month. These are from
10am – 12pm, at the Salvation Army Hall in Hawera (See Page 5 for dates). They have a
newly appointed Community Worker, Sheba Giblin, who had the following message for us:
“I am looking forward to getting to meet and know you all and invite you to come to our
PARKINSON’S TARANAKI GRATEFULLY
ACKNOWLEDGE SUPPORT FROM THE FOLLOWING
Matthew & Co.,
Stratford
DeBurgh’s Lodge,
New Plymouth
Do you need footwear advice ??
Do you need footwear advice and correct fitting
of your shoes - or any advice on your feet?
Olivia Coombes (Taranaki Podiatrist) will be in
the Shoe Clinic store doing free mini appointments during the afternoon of Wednesday 4th
May.
Please phone the Shoe Clinic store
(06 758 5146) to arrange an appointment
time - appointments are for 15 minutes.
Page 10
South Taranaki Age Concern Taranaki Coffee Mornings which are held on the first Thursday of each month, from 10 am to 12 noon, at the Salvation Army Halls, Regent Street,
Hawera. Please come and meet me and enjoy a fun filled morning with a cuppa.”
I look forward to seeing you at these events, and as always, I am only
a phone call away.
Regards
Jill
Page 3
ROUND THE TABLE
News and Information
BROLLY SHEET BED PADS
"Wet Beds, no drama ..."
Take the hassle out of bedwetting with our award-winning Bed Pads. Discreet,
comfortable, and absorbent, they are a breeze to use and wash. They come with
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suit. Unique 100% cotton top and the capacity to hold 2 litres. With one on the
bed and one in the wash, you will never be caught out.
Reduce the hassle and give us a call today!
Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre Trust, New Plymouth - 06 7590019
info@taranakidic.org.nz


ConfiTEX Underwear
ConfiTEX has developed and patented world first underwear technology which is
fashionable, washable, absorbent, pad-less and waterproof aimed at helping those
who don’t want to risk getting caught short when experiencing bladder control
problems.
The key features and benefits of ConfiTEX underwear include:
Fashionable
Anatomically designed
Washable
Hypoallergenic
Environmentally friendly
Ultra fast absorbency
Odour protection
Fast drying
Fully breathable
Economical
Chemical free
Ongoing absorbency
Moisture leak protection
The textile nature of the underwear has been anatomically designed to offer superior comfort, breathability, fast drying and ongoing absorbency. Because of these
qualities this underwear is washable and will last as long as normal underwear
therefore saving you money.
http://www.confitex.nz/
Outings, Social Mornings, and Drop-in Cafes
arranged by Age Concern:
Age Concern Taranaki holds Social Mornings on the second Thursday of
every month. People over the age of 65 enjoy each other’s company along
with activities and morning tea.
On all other Thursdays there is a Drop-in Cafe where people can pop in
for a cuppa and a chat. These weekly events run between 10am and midday,
are held at 28 Young St and are free.
Age Concern also runs monthly outings. People pay for their own lunch, and
transport is provided for non -drivers. We go to a different place for lunch each
month and visit various places of interest such as Pukekura Park, gardens,
SPCA and Hearing Dogs.
Another weekly activity is Aqua Walking at the Aquatic Centre.
This is a free, falls prevention activity, aimed at strengthening core
and lower body. It is more gentle than aquarobics and participants find
that their balance and general health is improved; all while they are having an
enjoyable time.
We welcome all people over 65 years to these activities. To make enquiries and
to book in, please phone 759 9196 weekdays between 10am and 2pm.
Come dancing…?
Musical Exercise - Mondays and Thursdays
For 50+ years - Mondays from 9 -10am at Star Gym, Tukapa St and Thursdays
from 9.30 -10.30am at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, Henui St, Fitzroy.
$5.00 per session. Other classes are held at Bell Block, Oakura, Waitara and
Urenui. Ph: Joss 753-4107
Move it or Lose it - for 50+ years. Mondays 9.30am at Fred Tucker Hall, Bell
Block: Tuesdays 9.30am at Waitara War Memorial Hall, Waitara: Wednesdays
and Fridays at Oakura Community Hall, Oakura.
Classes are all $5.00 per class. Contact Gloria: 027-284 9111 
DISCLAIMER
The views and comments in this newsletter and not necessarily those of the Society or
the editor. Please do not interpret anything in this newsletter as medical advice.
Please check with your doctor.
Page 4
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Thoughts on John Pepper’s Talk (Dorothy H)
It was wonderful to have such a good turnout at John
Pepper’s talk on the 23rd March – it certainly showed we
are open to suggestions to manage Parkinson’s positively.
Thank you very much to everyone who helped with advertising before this event and helped out on the day.
John talked about his experience of managing PD. He
described and demonstrated the conscious walking technique that he has used. He emphasised that it is important to focus on ‘how
to’ consciously walk rather than the general intention to move.

Concentrate on each movement - Push off on toes - lift leg straight in
front with flexed foot - heel first on the ground and swing opposite arm
at the same time. Repeat with other foot.
This focused way of walking is hard work, especially as it is important to
stand up straight at the same time.
Start slowly for short times and increase speed as confidence comes.
John discovered conscious walking when he joined a programme in South Africa that allowed very gradual increases in distance and time. He walked every second day only, to allow his muscles to rest and recuperate. He now fast
walks three times a week for an hour each time. He considers this has enabled him to overcome many of his symptoms. It was obvious he moves well and
feels fit and healthy. More information is available on his
website www.reverseparkinsons.co.za or in his book –
“Reverse Parkinson’s Disease”.
John also discussed his opinion about why there has been
little progress to inform people with Parkinson’s about his
methods. He appeared to see some parts of the system as
having ulterior motives to focus on medications as the only
answer. His ideas have not been widely accepted in South
Africa although he has helped many people to move more
freely.
We currently have some
amazing research being carried out here in NZ
as well as worldwide and I am encouraged that
some progress is being made towards understanding the causes and disease processes.
These ultimately will provide the successful
answers for PD in time.
I know we have highly trained, very supportive health service providers and
our local organisation is available to sincerely support each individual person
with Parkinson’s to live the best quality of life possible.
It is well proven that exercise – preferably exercise that we are challenged
by, carried out on a regular basis is beneficial.
John Pepper gave us his method of doing that.
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ROUND THE TABLE
News and Information
C
Friday Morning ‘Walkers with Parkinsons’
Come and join us on a walk to the Wind Wand and back
 Gather at 9.00am on the walkway adjacent to the Buller Street
carpark at East End Beach - departing at 9.10am
 Set your own distance and pace
 Carers, family members and anyone else you feel might benefit
are all welcome to join in.
 Soak up the sea breezes while you enjoy the buzz you get from exercising.
 Cancelled in heavy rain only!! (Text 027 2098872 for details)
 Wet day option is to meet at New World’s Toast Café for coffee
Age Concern
Social Morning Events for
2016
1st Thursday every month
Salvation Army Rooms
19 Regent St, Hawera
Ph. 0800 243 625
for more details
10am - 12pm
April 7th
May 5th
June 2nd
July 7th
August 4th
September 1st
October 6th
November 3rd
December 1st (Christmas Party)
Page 5
Adell’s Corner
March and April have gone by in
a blaze of visits, events and meetings,
and now that Daylight saving has also
finished, I find myself contemplating
what a wonderful summer we have
had, and are still having! Even though
the mornings and evenings are getting
that little bit crispier, I am so pleased
that we are still getting warm, sunny
days.
 In March we hosted a visit to the
Support Group meeting from Gillian
Goble wearing her Positive Ageing
hat. She talked about the recent decision by NPDC to investigate registration as an ‘Age Friendly City’ under the auspices of the World Health
Organisation. The motivation to consider if this would be a suitable strategy to be adopted by New Plymouth
is being steered by the Positive Ageing Trust, Age Concern, Grey Power
and the district council. Tauranga is
the only other city in New Zealand
that has Age Friendly City recognition. What an age friendly city might
look like is one where things like
housing, transport and open spaces
would all be considered from an age
friendly perspective. For example, all
new housing would be fitted with
accessible showers and toilets, all
forms of public transport be accessible, and in places such as the walkway and outdoor cafes, seats with
arm rests and backs be provided so
that it is easier for people to use.
Gillian talked of what she calls a
“social disconnect” between young
and older people. She says that
there is a perception that older peo-
ple are in one area together doing
their thing and enjoying it, and
young people are completely polarised in another area doing their
thing. She sees the Age Friendly city
as a means of bringing all factions of
the community together. I found this
very interesting, as I consider how
many new rest home and retirement
villages have been built in New
Plymouth in the last 10 - 12 years.
On the other side, I can see how
progressive we are here in New
Plymouth with many of the amenities
talked about already in place. I am
sure we will hear more of Age
Friendly cities in the future.
 The middle of March saw the AGM,
which was attended by about 30
people. Sue Allemann gave a photographic presentation of her recent
trip to Europe, and in particular the
eastern part. What a beautiful part
of the world she visited, and so rich
in history. Thanks to Sue for regaling
us with her tales, and maybe one
day soon we can get her back to tell
us of further adventures.
 Towards the end of March we were
lucky enough to have John Pepper
come to talk about how he manages
his Parkinson’s. He is a great believer in the benefits of exercise, and
was able to demonstrate to several
people a method of walking that he
has found successful. I have a copy
of his book, and if anyone is interested in reading it please get in
touch. Many thanks to Dorothy for
the hard work she put in to organising and hosting John and his wife.
 Olivia Coombs, a Podiatrist with Taranaki Podiatry (and a PhD student)
Page 6
was our guest speaker to the April
Support Group meeting. She explained that a podiatrist works from
the knee down, and assesses peoples
gait, posture and stability. She recommends that people visit a podiatrist every 6 to 12 months so that
they can evaluate the nerve function
and blood flow to the nether regions,
as well as observe the bottom of the
feet and between the toes for any
skin conditions such as tinea. They
also attend to toe nails – something
which people with Parkinson’s find
particularly difficult. A routine 20 minute appointment including a foot
check, nail trim and tidy up of dead
skin should cost around $55.00 per
visit although if you have a long term
condition that requires deeper monitoring, then it could be up to $75.00
for an annual visit. She also mentioned that there could be funding for
some conditions. She talked about
how people with Parkinson’s have
their feet on the ground for longer,
thus increasing the pressure on their
foot, and how the heel-toe strike is
lost due to ankle stiffness. She explained that the foot then collapses
inwards and rolls to compensate for
this. High on her agenda was the
benefit of good supportive shoes.
They should not be too narrow or too
high off the ground as this can make
you unstable. There should be room
enough to wiggle your toes, the shoe
should be lightweight, not have too
much tread, be manufactured from a
breathable fabric, and contain a gel
product for cushioning. She suggested that shoes should be stiff through
the middle, and slope upwards at the
front so as to allow you to rock for-
ward as you push off. She was dead
against slippers as they force you to
use your toes to grip, and suggested
sox are good for cushioning by reducing shock by up to 30%. Olivia’s
talk was very informative, with excellent questions coming from the audience. She even had us doing exercises in our chairs - rising up on tip
toes, extending the sole forwards,
rotating the ankles first in one direction and then the other, and lifting
toes only up and down from the
floor. Her recommendation for daily
exercises is as follows:
1. Stand with feet shoulder width
apart and when you feel safe and
stop swaying, hold the stance for 1
minute.
2. Stand with feet together and when
you feel safe and stop swaying,
hold for 1 minute.
3. Stand with one leg in front of the
other and when you feel safe and
stop swaying, hold for 1 minute.
4. Stand with the other leg in front,
and repeat as above
5. Hold onto the back of a chair, kitchen bench etc. and stand on one
foot, then the other, for 1 minute.
These exercises should be performed
daily, and as you master them, the
time can be increased. You will be
amazed at what they will do for your
balance and concentration.
I hope all is going well for you all, and
look forward to catching up with many
of you over the next month,
Page 7
Until then take care
Adell