All posts by Jennifer Villa

Free Medical Equipment

Announcement

The H.E.L.P (Handicap Equipment Loan Program) lends durable medical equipment (DME) to those in need – FREE OF CHARGE!!   is for anyone in the greater Las Cruces area.

H.E.L.P is brought to you by the Masons of Jornada Masonic Lodge #70 (1200 W University).

All that is asked is that you check out the equipment, take care of it and return it whenever it’s no longer needed. They would rather see the H.E.L.P storage facility empty than full.

H.E.L.P needs donations as well.  If you have any durable medical equipment in good/new condition that’s not being in used, please let them know, thanks!

To check out or donate durable medical equipment (DME) contact Jornada Masonic Lodge #70 at 575-523-5556. 

Notes from April 18 meeting

Meeting notes

What a great meeting we had today! Jo Bidwell never disappoints us.  She spoke about Parkinson’s, the upcoming symposium in Lubbock and answered lots of questions.

Sarah has mentioned the Stronger Memory Workbook several times so here is the info. If you go to this link you can download the workbook.   StrongerMemory | Powered by Goodwin Living Foundation  https://goodwinliving.org/stronger-memory/packets/

Below is the flyer for the Southwest Parkinson’s Society symposium on May 5th. Several of our group will attend. It’s free. If you are going, Register as soon as possible and make your hotel reservation at the same time.

SPS-Symposium-2023

Great Advice from our AARP Presenter

Meeting notes

10 Helpful Hints for Decluttering

  1. Get help. Recruit friends, family, neighbors
  2. Make a 10-minute sweep. Do not look at a space larger than 2’x2.’ Assign your helper to a 2’x2’ area.
  3. Unpack all bags and boxes as soon as you bring them into the house.
  4. Every item in your house should have a home.
  5. Sort into 4 piles: Keep, Sell, Donate, and Trash
  6. Distribute legacy items now. If you have a grandfather clock you want to pass on to your child, give it now. Most likely, they won’t want it.
  7. Avoid punting. Don’t guilt someone into taking something they don’t want. Sell it or donate it.
  8. When you donate, give to a place where it will be given away instead of being sold.
  9. Be realistic. Do not keep outdated food. Do not keep clothing that no longer fits.
  10. Pare down on paper and photos. Shred old documents. Don’t keep anything more than 3 years.

All your stuff is tied to emotions and stories. Keep a few important photos but not all.

Advice from a conservator/guardian:

Never give your debit or credit card to your health care worker. Don’t give them a check or your checkbook. Go to the bank and get cash and dole it out as needed. When your person has to move out of their home, immediately change the locks on the doors. Secure the house. Remove valuables such as jewelry, art, and important documents. This prevents uninvited relatives from taking what they want. You will want to  sell the house and all the contents you can so the person has money to live on.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Announcement

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and as per our tradition, we ask the City of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County to read a proclamation at one of their council meetings.

It would be great if some of our members could attend one or both of these events in a show of support.

  •  Monday, April 3 at 1:00 pm, City of Las Cruces – Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main Street
  • Tuesday, April 4 at 9:00 am, Dona Ana County Commission Chambers, 845 N. Motel Blvd. Las Cruces

The meetings begin with their usual business and proclamations are placed at the top of the agendas. PD members will be asked to come to the front of the room and the proclamation is read. We are given the opportunity to speak

This year, we have many activities to report: 

  • Regular support group meeting, third Tuesday
  • Newly diagnosed support group , fourth Tuesday
  • Pickleball for Parkinson’s, Thursdays at 1:00 pm at Meerscheidt
  • Planned for the fall is a Renew Retreat for both people with Parkinson’s and their care partners and family members
  • Carol’s exercise class “New Pathways for Parkinson’s” at Northrise on Monday and Wednesday at 10:00 am
  • Rock Steady Boxing 
  • Newly updated website with a calendar of events, Website address is www.pdsgsnm.org