Parkinson Association of the Rockies
 | |
| Motto | Enhancing Lives, Connecting Communities. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1981 |
| Type | NPO |
| Location | |
| Services | Education, research, awareness, support |
Key people | Rick Schwartz, Lea Ann Fowler, Lee Mendel, Heather Ene MD, Gordon Friednash, Kevin Jordre, Mike Knaisch, John McDonald, Barbara Emery-Mendel |
| Website | http://www.parkinsonrockies.org |
The Parkinson Association of the Rockies (PAR) is a Colorado care and research not-for-profit organization whose aim is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease through education, research, awareness and support for those with Parkinson's disease, their families and the community.
History
The organization was formed in 1981 as a support group for local sufferers of the disease, and has since grown in numbers and scope to include a staff of 3 people and vast community of sufferers and care givers around Colorado. The current board president is Rick Schwartz, a retired news director for Fox Sports Network. In recent years, PAR has partnered with a number of associated businesses and organizations to build a realistic and progressive future for the group, such organizations include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Medtronic and Touching Hearts at Home among others.
Support groups
PAR's support group network aims to lift the burden of coping with Parkinson's disease by teaching patients and caregivers how to help themselves while helping each other. As of April 2011, PAR promote 35 groups throughout Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska.
- See also the full list of support groups promoted by PAR
PD Life iPhone/iPad app
In April 2011, PAR announced the launch of an iPhone app called PD Life designed to assist Parkinson's patients and caregivers with real-time management of the disease.
Features include:
- Record medications and dosages
- Schedule reminders to take medications
- Track and improve the patient's ability to take medications on time
- Track and report timing of the patient's "On/Off" periods
- Track and report the patient's symptoms and side effects
- Track and report the patient's "PD Life Score" (a subset of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale)
- Provide a report for healthcare visits