Health & Lifestyle | Posted on April 12th, 2024 | return to news
How Lewis-Manning Hospice Care helps those with Parkinson’s disease
A couple suffering with Parkinson’s disease talk about their experience following the support they have received from Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has helped Dorset couple, Arthur and Wendy, who were filmed for World Parkinson’s Day (11 April) to raise awareness of their story, show how Parkinson’s can impact people and let others know there is vital local support available for anyone who needs it.
When Arthur and Wendy moved to Dorset, Arthur was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease aged just 53.
Arthur’s condition has changed over time and Wendy found herself caring for her husband.
They joined a local support group, and someone there mentioned Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. On Arthur’s first visit he was nervous and Wendy stayed with him all day but they soon felt at ease.
Wendy said: “All the staff and the other patients were very friendly. Straight away Arthur was quite a chatterbox and quickly made good friends with three others. They were nicknamed the ‘Four Muskateers’ because they get on so well together.”
Since then, Arthur has been a part of Lewis-Manning Day Hospice and has benefitted from good company and care, including complementary therapy and creative art sessions.
Arthur attends every Wednesday, which helps Wendy, who is his full-time carer, with some much-needed respite.
After many years of caring for Arthur full-time, Wendy has recently also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
They each experience different symptoms and have different ways to manage these. Wendy said: “Parkinson’s is different with everybody that you talk to. Mine was shaky from the start, but Arthur’s is not so shaky so often, it’s more rigid.”
Arthur said: “This shaking business really annoys me because I try hard not to shake.
“You worry a lot about what you look like, but here at the hospice, you don’t have to.”
On Parkinson’s Awareness Day, Wendy and Arthur raised awareness of their story, how Parkinson’s can impact people and how there is vital local support available for anyone who needs it.
You can support Lewis-Manning Hospice Care to continue delivering extraordinary care to patients like Wendy and Arthur today. Visit Lewis-Manning Hospice Care – JustGiving
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