There are almost 50 symptoms of the condition, ranging from muscle stiffness to difficulties with speech
Businesses are being urged to improve awareness of Parkinson’s.
To mark World Parkinson’s Day today (Wednesday), Parkinson’s UK is calling for businesses and organisations across Scotland to make life better for people living with the degenerative condition.
The charity has found that a lack of awareness of the condition and its symptoms can make everyday activities such as shopping and dealing with public services difficult.
Parkinson’s has more than 49 symptoms and many are little known among the wider public.
Almost two thirds of people (64%) identify having a tremor as the symptom most commonly associated with Parkinson’s. But tremor is not experienced by everyone - and more than 12,000 people in Scotland frequently experience other symptoms too.
Problems with muscle stiffness, movement and sleep along with bladder and bowel issues are very common. For many people, mental health issues, speech problems and difficulties with swallowing and saliva are a big part of their condition.
Annie Macleod, director of Parkinson’s UK in Scotland, said: “Parkinson’s symptoms can affect every aspect of a person’s life. From mobility and balance, to bladder and bowel and communication combined with mental health symptoms and dementia, Parkinson's can cause major challenges.
“The lack of public awareness of how these difficult symptoms can affect daily living can prevent people going out and engaging in their communities, and that leads to even greater isolation and loneliness.”
The charity is calling for employers to take advantage of its short free online awareness training package to inform staff about the condition.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been involved in developing the training and has given its staff training.
Assistant chief officer David McGown said: “We are delighted to have been involved in the development of this training – it’s quick and easy to deliver and provides colleagues with a hugely invaluable insight into Parkinson’s that helps us shape and deliver services effectively and appropriately.
Jane Stevely from Kilwinning has been living with Parkinson’s for 14 years and says that the understanding and awareness of shop staff has shaped her shopping habits.
She said: “I was recently in a supermarket and was having a bad day – everything was slow, my legs felt weak and I was a shuffling a bit. It’s not easy and people do give you funny looks.
“I was struggling with opening a bag. Thankfully an assistant noticed and offered to help. Little things like that do make a big difference.”
