You have Parkinson’s…now what?
To meet the unique needs of people diagnosed with PD within the last five years, APDA created a specialized eight-week psychosocial support group program, facilitated by a credentialed professional, called PRESSTM (Parkinson’s Roadmap for Education & Support Services). After positive pilot programs in 2017, more than 45 programs have been offered in 16 states. We will continue to expand and offer this program to additional locations in 2020.
From participant evaluations we can see first-hand the positive impact the program is having on the lives of people with PD and their families, the stories of transformation, and the social connections that have formed. Many of these connections continue after the group has ended. There is no doubt that PRESS is truly making a difference in the lives of many people diagnosed with PD.
The data shows that a resounding 93.4% of participants felt they met the goals they set at the beginning of the program and 86% experienced an improvement in the way they address day-to-day challenges of living with PD. We are encouraged by these results and use the feedback we receive to further improve and expand the PRESS program. Our hope is that more people can have the opportunity to participate in this program that provides critical support and education in the first five years of living with PD.
If you want to learn more, or to find out if there is a PRESS program near you, please contact Heather Grey at hgray@apdaparkinson.org.