Some useful information / contacts for pungollians living with elderly.

[tom]

Gadget lets Parkinson's patient get moving.

A new invention by students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic could help people who suffer from Parkinson's disease to get back on their feet. The students worked with physiotherapists from Singapore general Hospital to create a portable, battery-powered device that helps patients regain their walking rhythm.

Soon it will be commercialised.

[tom]

Singapore scientists say black tea could lower risk of Parkinson's.

A senior consultant in the department of neurology at the National Neuroscience Institute, said 300 new cases are diagnosed each year. This number is predicted to increase to 500 every year by the year 2030.The study involved more than 63,000 chinese men and women age 45 to 74 who live in the heartland.

Parkinson's disease affects the middle part of the brain, which is associated with movement. Patients often shake and have difficulty with hand-eye coordination and walking. As reported about three in 1,000 Singaporeans over 50 years of age suffer from Parkinson's disease. 

[tom]

For info :- 

Medifund Silver set up late last year is designed to cover hospital bills for needly seniors over 65 years of age.

The authorities said that elderly patients who have problems paying their medical bills should approach the hospital's medical social worker for help. The hospital's Medifund Committee will then decide on the amount of financial help to give them. ( Medifund pays out $6 million to help elderly in the last two months of 2007 as reported )

[tom]

One-stop budget health centre for the elderly.

NHC Health Resources, a subsidiary of NTUC Healthcare, opened it's first PhysioCare centre in Bukit Merah. Four more similar centres for elderly are on the drawing board.

Equipments are on sale for between 5 to 12% cheaper than what is available elsewhere. ( It's better to compare prices just in case ). Besides sale of equipments, a physiotherapist will be on duty few times a week to dispense free advice on exercises.

The address is Blk. 161, Bukit Merah Central. #01-3711.