Well over 1,500,000 of us have Parkinson’s disease (PD), and about 60,000 more will be diagnosed this year – one person every nine minutes. Approximately 40% are under age 60 and are effectively removed from the work force. Tens of thousands more are diverted from the workforce by their role as caregivers. PD costs our society over $25 billion per year, yet our federal research program is grossly under-funded. Despite the great strides we have made in the past 5 years, Parkinson’s research receives far less support than most other disorders. What can we do? Stand up and be counted. Contact your elected representatives today.

Tell them that biomedical research funding has consistently proven to be one of our most cost-effective federal investments: with each $1 of research estimated to result in over $13 in long-term savings in direct medical expenses, lost productivity and the resulting impact on federal entitlement programs. Furthermore, poll after poll shows that the American people overwhelmingly support increases in medical funding, even if it means higher taxes.

These arguments are even more compelling for a disease like Parkinson’s, in which the research opportunities are not only dramatic but demonstrable. According to Ole Isaacson, M.D., of the Harvard Medical School, an additional $20 - $40 million per year spent to fund ten of the most effective pre-clinical and basic research programs for PD will produce new treatments within 2-3 years, and an effective cure or therapy is possible in five years. According to Roger Kurlan, M.D. of the University of Rochester, even a 10% slowing of progression of Parkinson’s will save $137 million per year! Click here to view the Parkinson’s Disease Legislative Agenda.

Some facts to keep in mind:
• Parkinson’s disease costs the U.S. $25 billion per year.
• L-dopa and related drugs run $1,000 - $6,000 per year.
• Typical early stage annual medical care per patient costs $2,000 - $7,000 per year.
• These costs rise as the disease progresses.
• Treatment and hospitalization for PD-related falls can run $40,000 per year or more per patient. An estimated 38% of PD patients fall, 13% more than once per week.
• 31% of those Parkinson’s sufferers who are employed will lose employment within a year. Disability subsidies can run $30,000 or more annually.
• Assisted Living and Nursing Home care can exceed $100,000 per year per patient.

Please get involved! Write a letter, make a call or send an e-mail. Click here for tips on communicating with your elected officials.

For more information about advocacy, contact the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland at 913-341-8828 or visit the Parkinson's Action Network.

Educational Services
The Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland is committed to providing the public with the most up-to-date information available on PD, its causes, treatments, and opportunities for maximum wellness. Click here for a list of available books, brochures and videotapes.

Other educational services include:

Educational Symposia
Each year the Foundation sponsors educational symposia in Kansas City and Oklahoma City. Attendees learn about cutting edge research and matters of importance to people with PD. The Oklahoma City Symposium is held each fall, the Kansas City Symposium each spring. Call our office for details.

Professional Advisory Board
Our outstanding Professional Advisory Board is composed of health care professionals who are actively involved in clinical practice, education and research. The Board provides medical input, advice and guidance to the medical and lay community via our symposia, speaking engagements, and the Parkinson Update. The members of the Professional Advisory Board also act as content advisors for Foundation educational programs.

Information and Referral Center and Lending Library
The Foundation maintains extensive information on hundreds of matters pertinent to the elderly and to people with Parkinson’s disease. Our library contains several hundred books and videotapes for loan. Our two Family Services Coordinators are available for in person appointments or phone calls to answer questions and arrange services. Call 913-341-8828 or e-mail info@parkinsonheartland.org.

Newsletter
The Foundation writes, publishes and distributes the Parkinson Update each quarter. Each issue contains information on current research, opportunities for advocacy, tips on nutrition and exercise, and new sources of support and hope for people with PD. The Update is also available in PDF format on this website. Click here to read the Update.

Videos
The Foundation has distributed two videos. Our first, "In Search of a Champion: The Young Onset Parkinson Project," won several major awards and is in distribution to people in 43 states, 4 Canadian provinces, Europe, Africa and Asia. We also partnered with the Parkinson's Disease Foundation to produce and distribute a new exercise video featuring renowned Laban movement specialist Janet Hamburg. To learn more about "Motivating Moves for People with Parkinson's," visit www.motivatingmoves.com.

The Parkinson Care Series

The Parkinson Care Series is the finest PD educational tool available today. The Series is available in both professional and individual versions. Professionally, we work with home health, rehabilitation facilities, CCRCs, nursing homes, hospitals and other care providers to improve the quality of life from those who suffer from PD. Training professional staff using our program improves outcomes, quality-of-life, and patient satisfaction. The training program includes:

• 8 video modules cover Introduction to Parkinson's Disease, Treatment, Exercise, Nutrition, Emotional Health, Daily Living, Speech, and Fall Prevention
• CD-ROM Training Manual with learning objectives and professional tests
• 16 optional Continuing Education Credits ($2.00 per hour) for RN, LPN, PT, OT, SLP, Social Workers, Nursing Home Administrators
• A variety of learning activities including worksheets, quizzes, professional handouts, patient education handouts, tip sheets, glossaries, log sheets, diaries
• A complete Fall Prevention program including assessment tools and tracking/reporting tools

Click here to learn more about “The Parkinson Care Series.”

Informational Booklets
The Foundation has produced numerous educational booklets. “A Parkinson Patients Guide to Hospitalization,” “A Guide to Choosing an Assisted Living Facility,” and “A Guide to Choosing Long-Term Care” are available free of charge from our office.

Click here to see a list of upcoming support and educational programs.