PEOPLE with Parkinson’s need more support to stay in work, a new study has found.

Researchers at Oxford Brookes University have led a study to see how employment is affected after a Parkinson’s diagnosis and what support may have helped people to stay in work.

The study, led by Dr Johnny Collett from the Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences at Oxford Brookes, involved researchers, healthcare providers and organisations supporting people with Parkinson’s  from the UK, Italy, and Australia.

The study examined the issues affecting employment and economic consequences experienced by people living with Parkinson’s, surveying 692 adults from 28 European countries.  

The findings highlighted that people with Parkinson’s who are diagnosed at the time they are establishing their careers, or those of mid-working age, risk losing many years of potential employment.

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The study also found that most people do not receive early intervention to be supported at work, and that people often perceive that if adaptations and flexibility in work environments were in place, they may have been able to remain in work.

Fatigue was listed as the most frequently reported symptom causing people with Parkinson’s to leave their job, particularly for those who were diagnosed at the start or mid-way through their career.

Dr Collett, who is a senior lecturer in Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation at Oxford Brookes, said: “This research was initiated by people with Parkinson’s, frustrated at the lack of consideration given to employment and support provided early after diagnosis.

“People often perceive Parkinson’s as a condition that affects people after they have already retired. However, many will be diagnosed with lots of years of potential employment ahead of them. Our data suggests that little has improved over the last 15 years in terms of enabling individuals to remain in work, and it has allowed us to identify potential ways that may help people remain in work through workplace modification or management of their symptoms.”

 

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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