Keeping a parent, or other person, at home during the later stages of a debilitating disease is a huge endeavor. The physical, emotional, financial and medical demands tax the most dedicated of caregivers.
This story from San Diego discusses two sisters' experiences caring for both of their aging parents. They all live together under the same roof. The story delves into the bittersweet arrangement of these intertwined lives.
Some of the key quotes from the caregiving daughters include:
“. . . the worst parts of caregiving are the stress, the roller-coaster ride and watching the deterioration without being able to stop it.”
“I don't regret doing this, but I don't want my kids to have to.”
The story, and its quotes, capture many of the poignant emotions that millions of people feel each day as they live this reality.
"Aurora Borealis" Moves From Film Festival to National Opening
Characters from the movie
"Aurora Borealis" will personify the profound and mixed emotions that caregiving family members feel, this Friday when it opens in select theaters across the nation. "Aurora Borealis" depicts the life of Brent Boyd, of Minnesota. Boyd lived near his grandparents as his grandfather lived with Parkinson’s disease and other conditions. The film relates his story as a twenty-something man with little direction in life. The relationship with his grandparents during this challenging time in their life, and the responsibilities he assumes lead him to a more purposeful life. He also strikes up a relationship with a home health worker, played by Juliette Lewis. However, while his life has gained more meaning, he must make some tough choices that challenge his priorities. Donald Sutherland plays the grandfather.
The movie was popular at the Canes Film Festival in 2005, and a few other film festivals this year. You can read an interview with screenwriter Brent Boyd from his hometown newspaper
here at TwinCities.com.
Chemical Compound May Help Scans to See Parkinson’s Disease
A clinical trial dubbed POET-1 (Parkinson's or Essential Tremor) researched the effectiveness of the compound Altropane. Altropane helps “light up” dopamine producing neurons so they can be seen by a SPECT camera. In the future, Altropane and the SPECT camera could help physicians to make a more sure diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease. If a person has Parkinson’s symptoms, they could have the test. If a lot dopamine producing neurons “light up”, it would tell the patient that they do not have Parkinson’s disease. Conversely, if less of the neurons “light up”, it could confirm a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
There are several conditions that are considered Parkinsonian syndromes. Parkinson's disease is the most common form of Parkinsonian syndrome. Other less common Parkinsonian syndromes include multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and drug-induced Parkinsonism. Physicians often have a hard time differentiating between the similar conditions. Experts estimate that, each year, approximately 140,000 individuals present to their physician with new, undiagnosed movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
There are also conditions that are not Parkinsonian syndromes, but may share some symptoms of Parkinson's disease such as essential tremor. The International Essential Tremor Foundation estimates that as many as 10 million people in the United States are afflicted by essential tremor. In 2002, the European Journal of Neurology reported that there is a 20- to 30-percent misdiagnosis rate in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. Other publications have reported even higher rates of misdiagnosis.
Altropane's maker, Boston Scientific, Inc., hopes that Altropane and the SPECT camera help physicians and patients recognize the difference between Parkinsonian and non-Parkinsonian tremors. It could have important implications. Physicians may be able to refer patients to the proper health care professional, prescribe effective treatments, and provide a more-informed prognosis for patients and their families.
Here at My Parkinson's Info, we often write about treatments that are still in very early stages of developments. This treatment is in the late stages of the research process, and has the potential for FDA approval within the next year or two.
