Nurses in Full Swing: Paul Grant's Focus
Community-Based Parkinson's Specialist Nurses Offer Invaluable Support
Parkinson's Specialist Nurses, highly trained and experienced healthcare professionals, are based in neighborhoods with high Parkinson's disease prevalence. Their role is to provide invaluable support to local individuals living with Parkinson's disease.
Their positions are jointly funded by Parkinson's NSW and the Local Health District they serve. A series of articles invites clients to share their experiences and the value these nurses bring to their Parkinson's community.
Paul Grant, a resident of Boambee, south of Coffs Harbour, is one such individual. He and his wife reside on a 25-acre property, formerly a horticulture business. "I do my best to maintain the property," says Paul, whose wife works as a children's counselor. "Being diagnosed in 2008 at age 37 was a shock, but my more youthful body allowed the disease to progress slowly for the first eight years."
Paul, now 51, attributes his discovery of the Parkinson's Specialist Nurse service to word of mouth. He would travel to Newcastle to see his neurologist and was introduced to Vince Carroll, a Parkinson's NSW Nurse. This meeting coincided with Grant's desire to found a Young Onset Support Group in Coffs Harbour.
Vince Carroll was instrumental in helping Grant establish the group, having half a dozen younger Parkinson's patients in his network. "Meeting other younger individuals with Parkinson's has been incredibly beneficial," says Grant. "We've found solace in sharing our experiences and learning from one another."
Their monthly coffee meetings provide a platform for people to ask questions, share concerns, and offer solutions. In addition to group support, Vince Carroll offers personal assistance to individuals in the Coffs Harbour area.
"Vince's individual approach has provided great personal support to several of us," says Paul. "He accompanied one of our members to a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery and was instrumental in securing necessary treatments for me this year."
Grant praises Carroll's ability to communicate effectively with healthcare providers and patients alike, bridging the gap between the two. "Vince understands both the neurologist's jargon and the patient's concerns, making the process smoother," says Paul.
Parkinson's Specialist Nurses are valuable resources in the healthcare community, advocating for patients, advancing nursing practice, and playing a crucial role in service development and delivery. In Paul's case, Vince Carroll has proven to be an invaluable source of support, both emotionally and practically.
- Support groups, like the Young Onset Support Group in Coffs Harbour, are formed by individuals living with chronic diseases, such as Parkinson's, for emotional support and learning from each other.
- Science and medical-conditions intersect in the field of neurological disorders, as Parkinson's Specialist Nurses often assist patients in navigating treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery.
- Advocacy plays a significant role in the work of Parkinson's Specialist Nurses, as they bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that necessary treatments are secured.
- Health-and-wellness encompasses not only physical fitness-and-exercise but also mental health, as Parkinson's Specialist Nurses offer personal support to individuals, addressing both their medical conditions and emotional well-being.
