Volunteer highlights importance of support groups for carers

About 60 people attended the 30 year anniversary of the Parkinson’s WA Mandurah support group, at Sunbreakers Restaurant on Thursday.

Volunteer Joy Millar said the group was founded by Lola Masters who cared for her husband with Parkinson’s disease. 

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“She led the group for 20 years, and I took over after that,” she said. 

“We assist people with Parkinson’s disease and their spouses.”

Ms Millar is also a carer for her husband John, who has had the disease for 38 years.

“He is in an advanced stage, but is still mobile,” she said.

“He has quite severe dementia and has lost the ability to speak, so it’s a quite confronting thing.

“He can understand what you’re saying and react but he can’t respond, usually.”

Ms Millar said acting as a carer could be “difficult and frustrating”.

“It has taught me patience – which is something I’ve had to learn,” she said. 

“As a leader of this group I have been able to advise, help and support other people that are floundering.”

Ms Millar said the support group helped people to not feel alone.

“If you go to the doctor you only get the basics,” she said. 

“You certainly don’t get the advice or help on the strange little things that come with the disease.”

Parkinson’s WA coordinator Jodie Palmer said the Mandurah support group was one of the largest in the state.

“It has always been a really well attended group,” she said.

“We do lose people going into care or passing, but there always seems to be new people coming in as well.”

The group meets on the last Friday of every month at the Mandurah Bowling Club. 

“We usually have about 40 people attend the meetings,” Ms Millar said. 

“We have a variety of speakers. Some to do with Parkinson’s and some are not.

“We have special activities including thinking games and we also do alot of things involving food.”

For more information contact Parkinson’s WA on (08) 6457 7373.