AS the Parkinson’s WA Nurse Specialist Service celebrates its 20th birthday this month, one of the eight nurses in the program has reflected on how special her job is.
Registered nurse Jo Chadwick, who completed her nursing training in Ireland and emigrated to Australia in 1998, began in the role 14 years ago and visits clients in the Melville and Fremantle area.
Ms Chadwick said they promoted a wellness approach which was quite holistic and they connected clients with other support services and therapies.
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READ NOW“I really enjoy community work, particularly seeing people in their own home environment where they are usually more relaxed,” she said.
“No two people with Parkinson’s are the same and hence every day poses different challenges and rewards when problem solving together.
“We meet people of varying ages and at different stages of Parkinson’s; it is truly is a privilege to be welcomed into people’s homes and share in their journey.
“Being a Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist involves constant learning and being part of the nursing team as we celebrate 20 years is very special.”
November 2018 marks 20 years since Parkinson’s WA launched its Nurse Specialist Service which is unique to WA and consists of a team of eight community-based nurses that visit people living with Parkinson’s in their homes, and also up-skill allied health professionals.
Parkinson’s WA chief executive Brenda Matthews said every hour of every day, someone was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in Australia.
She said her team of nurse specialists were there to help and support those in WA.