|
Introduction
Parkinson's Disease is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. A recent study of the occurrence of this disease in Singapore showed that Parkinson's disease occurs as commonly as in the West and that 3 out of every thousand individuals, aged 50 years and above, will have this disease. As Singapore's population continues to age, the number of people with Parkinson's Disease is expected to rise.
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement and balance problems. As with many other medical conditions, there is at present no cure for Parkinson's disease. However, there are many effective treatments available to control their symptoms and improve daily function. Minimally invasive surgery is also available to control the symptoms in advanced patients.
Parkinson's disease is not associated with a reduced life expectancy. Many patients can expect to lead productive and satisfying lives despite having the disease. The Comprehensive Parkinson's Disease Programme at the NNI strives to support patients and their caregivers though each stage of the disease by providing a broad spectrum of services to meet the medical, physical and psycho-social needs of patients with Parkinson's disease. Our team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and therapists work in a multi-disciplinary fashion to provide effective and holistic care.
Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Clinic
The Clinic has trained Parkinson's Disease Specialists (Neurologists) who provide comprehensive evaluation and care for patients with Parkinson's Disease. The emphasis is on patient-centred care with emphasis on the latest treatment strategies and the reduction of symptoms. Our patient's clinical condition is carefully monitored in the areas of motor function (movement), activities of daily living, side-effects of treatment, quality-of-life and memory. A Parkinson's Disease Nurse Clinician provides education and support to patients and their caregivers about their disease and treatment. When necessary, the patients are referred to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, and dieticians skilled in handling these disorders to further optimise their care.
|
Contact |
|
NNI @ Tan Tock Seng
Neuroscience Clinic: (65) 6357-7095
NNI @ Singapore General Hospital
E Clinic: (65) 6321-4324 |
Parkinson's Disease Surgery and Stimulator Programming
Minimally invasive stereotactic surgery and implantation of deep brain stimulators (similar to pace-makers) into various parts of the brain are new modes of therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Neurosurgeons specially trained in these techniques provide surgical expertise and use special recording devices during the operation to ensure correct placement of the electrode stimulators (wires). The major part of the procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. After each operation, programming of the stimulators is carried out to turn on the stimulators and determine the best settings that will alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Patients undergoing this procedure are managed by an experienced team of neurosurgeons, neurologists and nurses.
|
Contact |
|
NNI @ Tan Tock Seng
Neuroscience Clinic: (65) 6357-7095
NNI @ Singapore General Hospital
E Clinic: (65) 6321-4324 |
Community Care Partners Programme (CCPP)
In October 2007, the PDMDC NNI initiated Singapore’s first-ever organised outreach programme for the Parkinson community. The Community Care Partners Programme (CCPP) for Parkinson’s disease is a partnership programme with community care facilities that have a core team of healthcare professionals who have completed our training workshops. The primary aim of the CCPP is to enhance the delivery of community care and support to the Parkinson community by tapping on the well-integrated network of community healthcare facilities in Singapore.
Following the launch on 20 October 2007, we welcomed on the board our current Community Care Partners :
1. Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Hospital
2. B Well Ltd (formerly known as Geylang Senior Citizens’ Health Care Centre Ltd)
3. Henderson Senior Citizens’ Home
4. Moral Therapy Hub
5. Society For The Physically Disabled
6. St Luke’s Hospital
7. Tsao Foundation
8. AWWA Elderly Services
9. Ren Ci Hospital & Medicare Centre
10. St. Andrew's Community Hospital
11. Sunshine Welfare Action Mission (SWAMI)
12. Touch Home Care
With our network of community care partners, PD patients and their families will have access to the best possible PD care in the community. Please approach your doctor or PD nurse clinician for more information on how you may be referred to our community care partners for the different types of services provided.
For more information on the CCPP, please click to download brochure.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group
We have a support group specially organised to provide educational and emotional support for Parkinson's disease patients and their caregivers. The support group is managed by the Parkinson's Disease Nurse Clinician, medical social workers and other paramedical staff. Support groups help to raise awareness about the challenges of living with Parkinson's disease and help patients replace negative attitudes with a more realistic understanding of the disease. It provides a caring environment for patients and their caregivers to ask questions about Parkinson's disease as well as to share experiences with one another. The details of the support group meeting are as follows:
|
Contact |
|
NNI @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Venue: Neuroscience Clinic (Level 1), Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Time: 9.30 - 11am, Saturday, once a month.
English and Chinese groups meet on alternate months
Telephone: (65) 6357-7605
NNI @ Singapore General Hospital
Venue: Education Resource Centre,
Rehabilitation Centre, Block 1 Level 1 (opposite specialist outpatient clinics)
Singapore General Hospital
Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm, first Monday of the month
Telephone: (65) 8125-3543 |
Parkinson's Disease Growth Group
The Growth Group provides an avenue for our patients to share their experiences and psychosocial issues in greater depth. In so doing, the Growth group aims to help patients cope better with the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease as well as the social, emotional and physical implications of the condition. Each group meets on a weekly basis for 8 sessions. These meetings are facilitated by medical social workers and Parkinson's disease nurse clinicians.
|
Contact |
|
NNI @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital
(TTSH Care and Counselling Department)
Telephone: (65) 6357-8222 |
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class
Exercise helps to maintain or improve flexibility in the joints and muscles, balance, general fitness and ability to move. After an initial assessment by a physiotherapist, suitable patients would participate in regular exercise classes. These classes are conducted in groups of up to 10 patients by physiotherapists. Patients are taught various exercises and strategies to cope with their walking, balance and posture, and encouraged to practise the exercises daily.
|
Contact |
|
NNI @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital
(TTSH Physiotherapy Department)
Telephone: (65) 6357-8307 |
Parkinson's Disease Voice Class
Some patients with Parkinson's disease have a soft voice and difficulties being understood. The Voice Class is conducted by speech therapists and helps patients learn how to speak louder, with proper articulation and pronunciation of words so that family and friends can better understand them.
|
Contact |
|
NNI @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital
(TTSH Speech Therapy Department)
Telephone: (65) 6357-8324 |
Parkinson's Disease Library
Patients can browse and borrow our collection of educational material relating to Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Registered members have access to books, brochures, and videotapes in English and Chinese, thereby increasing their knowledge and awareness of their condition. The library is open monthly, during the TTSH Parkinson's Disease Support Group meeting days.
Useful websites:
 National Neuroscience Institute
 Parkinson's Disease Society of Singapore
|