For people diagnosed with Parkinson's and their families, a support group is often key to find ways to help.
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Around regional and rural NSW, Parkinson's support groups often link carers and patients with vital information.
Parkinson's nurse and Charles Sturt University student Vince Carroll is studying what makes an effective support group and how leadership capacity for these groups can be built.
He's looking for people in regional NSW to contribute to the research project.
For Griffith's Parkinson's Support Group co-ordinator Louisa Feltracco - the easiest way to add more support is through additional Parkinson's nurses.
If you're in the western Riverina - the closet support nurse is in Wagga. Griffith's Parkinson's Support Group works with 20 people diagnosed with the condition.
Mrs Feltracco said for people diagnosed with Parkinson's it was often an intensely personal disease as each person was affected differently and displayed different symptoms - some which go unseen by other people.
"We have a lot of help and support through the support group," she said.
She said the value from the group was the friendships made and the support that you got from other members.
However, providing more resources through additional nurses would help support groups.
"There's a lot of people who can't tell you what will happen in the long term, that's why we need a nurse on the ground," Mrs Feltracco said.
"Additional time for our nurse in Wagga would allow for more support for patients which would help support groups."
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Mr Carroll, who is also a Parkinson's clinical nurse consultant, said his research would be looking into how Parkinson's Disease support groups can build capacity to help support those living with the disease.
"The need for support is a central part of living and dealing with the challenges Parkinson's disease brings to an individual and the caregivers who live with them," Mr Carroll said.
"Getting together with other people who are facing similar challenges allows everyone to share feelings, resources and experiences."
Mr Carroll said there were four types of groups - led by carers, people diagnosed with Parkinson's, health professionals and community groups.
"There is research out there now that shows people have better health outcomes by participating in a support group - they are better informed, better connected socially, and have a better understanding of their chronic illness," he said.
"But, we are starved for research in the Parkinson's disease space in terms of models of support group leadership.
"Ultimately, my study will involve listening carefully to my research participants' stories, experiences, and journeys, so we can understand group leadership and what makes and creates an effective Parkinson's support group."
Mr Carroll is seeking people to participate in the research, which will be an interview via video conference, you can contact him by email at vcarroll@csu.edu.au.