The Wolper Jewish Hospital Health Foundation has generously provided a grant of $20,000 to ensure the continuity of Parkinson’s NSW specialist counselling services through the Hospital as it responds to growing demand.
This counselling service is offered free of charge, making it accessible to everyone and avoiding additional financial stress for clients. It is the only Parkinson’s specialist counselling service of its kind in this state.
Parkinson’s NSW provides this service both in person and remotely, ensuring that individuals across the state – both metropolitan and rural – are not disadvantaged by their location. In Sydney, face-to-face sessions are held at three locations: War Memorial Hospital in Waverley, Wolper Jewish Hospital in Woollahra, and the Parkinson’s NSW head office in North Ryde. For those in rural and regional NSW, counselling sessions are delivered via telephone and teleconferencing.
The Counselling team takes part in monthly Support Group meetings at Wolper Jewish Hospital. During these meetings, they provide support, advice, and access to guest speakers from various health professions. Members of the Wolper Support Group and patients at the Hospital are frequently introduced to the counselling service and often utilise its support.
“We are delighted to extend our working relationship with Wolper Jewish Hospital, enabled by this generous grant,” said Mary Kay Walker, CEO of Parkinson’s NSW.
“Our counsellors help individuals navigate changes in mood, cognition, and physical abilities. They guide people living with Parkinson’s on how to disclose their diagnosis to others and provide assistance in adapting to changes in work, relationships, and daily activities. Additionally, they support treatment for symptoms such as apathy, depression, and anxiety, while encouraging active involvement in treatment and self-management.
“Then, as Parkinson’s progresses there are the challenges of hospital stays, the need to make a decision around entry to Aged Care and living with grief and loss. Our counsellors support individuals and their families as they navigate all of this.”
Caption:
Richard Glass, Chair of the Wolper Jewish Hospital Health Foundation (left) presents the grant to Mark Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of Parkinson’s NSW.
