The Parkinson’s Foundation expands its Global Care Network with a membership program called Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care. This program prepares senior living communities and home care agencies to provide quality education and tools that equip staff to care for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
“As the disease advances, many people with PD seek home care services or senior living communities, but many of these organizations and their staff have limited knowledge about PD and best care practices,” said Eli Pollard, vice president, chief education and training officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “The new Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care membership program trains staff to provide the best Parkinson’s care.”
Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care provides a full curriculum of PD education through virtual and in-person training. Utilizing the train-the-trainer model, the membership program educates site champions at each location and provides the necessary tools to educate at least 70% of staff at their site. This program, formerly the Struthers Parkinson’s Care Network, part of the Struthers Parkinson’s Center in Minnesota (a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence), has been continuously expanding and now includes more than 100 member sites across North America.
“The Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care membership program is comprised of senior living communities and home care agencies that have committed to improving care and providing support to people living with PD and their families,” said Joan Gardner, RN, BSN, national program co-director alongside Rose Wichmann, PT. “We are proud to include members of individual organizations as well as full corporate networks who are trained to prepare, empower and motivate staff with ongoing support from PD experts.”
[Source(s): Parkinson’s Foundation, PR Newswire]
