Understanding Parkinson's: Insights and Support Through helpz

Clair Kauter • April 10, 2024

World Parkinson's Day, April 11th, serves as a significant reminder of the ongoing journey to understand and manage Parkinson's disease—a progressive neurological condition that affects movement. At helpz, we recognise the importance of providing comprehensive support and education about Parkinson's, to help offer assistance to people navigating this condition and their loved ones.


Understanding Parkinson's Disease:

 

Parkinson's disease affects the control of body movements and can vary significantly between individuals. The condition stems from the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, particularly those in a region called the substantia nigra, which leads to a depletion of dopamine. Symptoms can range from tremors, rigidity, and slowness of movement to non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances and loss of sense of smell​​.

 

The disease's progression and the symptoms' severity vary among individuals, making personalised care and management crucial. Parkinson's in Australia has more than doubled from previous estimates. According to Fight Parkinson’s, there are currently about 219,000 people living with Parkinson’s nationwide, up from 100,000 reported in 2015, with up to 50 Australians being diagnosed each year. This rapid increase is a trend seen not only in Australia but globally, highlighting the need for enhanced research, support, and care​​.

 

Young Onset Parkinson's, affecting individuals in their 20’s to 50’s, accounts for between 10% and 20% of all Parkinson's cases.

 

The disease imposes a substantial economic and healthcare burden, with costs exceeding $10 billion annually​​.

 

helpz's Role in Supporting those with Parkinson's:

 

At helpz, we're dedicated to supporting those affected by Parkinson's disease through personalised, in-home NDIS services that cater to the unique needs of each Participant. Our team of skilled clinicians, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Speech Pathologists and Behaviour Support Practitioners, work collaboratively to design care plans that address both motor and non-motor symptoms, ensuring a holistic approach to management.

 

Our services are guided by the latest research and practices in the field, aiming to empower our Participants to manage their symptoms effectively and maintain the highest quality of life possible. We emphasise the importance of early intervention, ongoing education, and the use of assistive technologies to enhance independence and well-being​.

 

Educational Resources and Support:

 

  • Parkinson's Australia offers comprehensive resources, including information sheets on living well with Parkinson's, medication and treatment options, and support for carers​​.
  • healthdirect and the Better Health Channel provide detailed insights into the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management of Parkinson's disease, including how it affects mental health and relationships.
  • The Brain Foundation and Shake It Up Australia Foundation share the latest research and statistical data on Parkinson's, emphasising the importance of personalised treatment plans and the role of multidisciplinary therapy​​.

 

As we observe World Parkinson's Day, let's renew our commitment to supporting those affected by Parkinson's disease through education, advocacy, and personalised care.

 

For more information on Parkinson's disease and the support available, please visit the resources mentioned above. To learn more about how helpz can assist you or your loved ones, contact us here.



News & Insights

Check Our Latest Resources

What Behaviour Support Practitioner Training Involves (And Why It Matters)

October 9, 2025
Across the NDIS space, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is playing an increasingly central role in how we understand and respond to behaviours of concern. But quality behaviour support doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on a foundation of training, supervision and practical experience. If you’re exploring a pathway into behaviour support or looking to build internal capacity within your organisation, understanding how behaviour support training works is a valuable first step. What is Positive Behaviour Support? Positive Behaviour Support is a person-centred and evidence-based approach that aims to reduce behaviours of concern and improve quality of life. It focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviour — not just the behaviour itself — and designing strategies that are proactive, practical and ethical. Rather than using reactive or restrictive approaches, PBS encourages support plans that look at environmental triggers, communication needs, daily routines and unmet goals. The aim is to build safer, more stable and more supportive environments for the people who need them. Who delivers behaviour support and how they are trained Under the NDIS Commission, behaviour support practitioners must demonstrate their capability to develop, implement and monitor behaviour support plans in line with legislative and clinical requirements . While practitioners often come from allied health or education backgrounds, the core requirement is evidence of knowledge and skill. Behaviour support training can include a mix of structured coursework, workshops, on-the-job learning and clinical supervision. Common areas of focus include: Functional behaviour assessment Designing interim and comprehensive behaviour support plans Understanding and reducing restrictive practices Working with families, guardians and multidisciplinary teams Meeting documentation and reporting standards required by the NDIS Commission For newer practitioners, supervision and mentoring are also key. This allows them to apply what they’ve learned in real-life settings while receiving guidance and feedback from experienced clinicians. Why behaviour support training matters Demand for behaviour support services is growing, particularly in regional and remote areas, but the number of qualified practitioners has struggled to keep pace. For providers, this gap creates challenges around service delivery, compliance and participant outcomes. Investing in practitioner training helps address this by growing the pool of people who can safely and confidently provide behaviour support. It also strengthens internal teams, reduces wait times for participants and improves long-term outcomes across the board.  Positive Behaviour Support practitioner training goes beyond meeting requirements. It ensures that behaviour support is grounded in evidence, aligned with human rights and delivered in a way that actually works for the people it's meant to support. How to know if behaviour support training is right for you or your team This kind of training is well-suited to people who want to: Expand their skill set in allied health, disability or education Enter the behaviour support space through structured learning and supervision Build clinical governance and quality frameworks within their organisation Support better outcomes for participants through more capable, confident staff If you’re a provider looking to upskill your team or a clinician seeking a pathway into behaviour support, training can open the door to new opportunities and help set a higher standard of care. Build behaviour support capability with helpz At helpz, we provide training, supervision and practical support through our Behaviour Support Development Program (BSDP). This flexible online program is hosted on Teachable and designed to help professionals build the knowledge and confidence to deliver Positive Behaviour Support that meets NDIS Commission standards. Participants receive expert guidance, access to clinical supervision and support with portfolio development, all within a framework grounded in real-world practice. As a national NDIS provider, helpz also offers therapy and allied health services across Behaviour Support, Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and more. Get in touch with us to learn how you can become a Positive Behaviour Support practitioner.

Disability Awareness Hub: Understanding Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus: Raising Awareness and Promoting Inclusion

October 4, 2025
Understanding Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

Paws for Thought: The Therapeutic Power of Pets

October 4, 2025
Across recent team discussions, Behaviour Support Practitioners have been diving into a heartwarming and increasingly relevant topic: the therapeutic benefits of pets, particularly for older participants. Whether it’s the wag of a tail, the purr of a cat, or the gentle nudge of a nose, animals are proving to be more than just companions—they’re powerful contributors to emotional wellbeing. For many older participants, pets offer a sense of purpose, routine, and unconditional love. They can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are common among those living alone or experiencing limited social interaction. The simple act of caring for a pet—feeding, grooming, walking—can foster independence and boost self-esteem. Research and anecdotal evidence alike show that pets can: Lower stress and anxiety levels Improve mood and emotional regulation Encourage physical activity and mobility Provide sensory comfort and grounding Support social connection through community pet events or casual chats with fellow pet lovers One Behaviour Support Practitioner shared a story about a participant whose mood and engagement dramatically improved after adopting a rescue dog. The participant began taking daily walks, chatting with neighbours, and even attending local dog meetups—activities that had previously felt out of reach. Interestingly, the benefits aren’t limited to dogs and cats. Birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even fish have been shown to offer calming effects and companionship. For participants in supported accommodation or those with limited mobility, low-maintenance pets can still provide meaningful interaction and joy. Practitioners are now exploring ways to incorporate pet therapy into behaviour support plans, including: Facilitated visits with therapy animals Support to adopt or foster pets Collaboration with local animal shelters and pet programs Education around pet care and responsibilities Of course, every participant’s needs and circumstances are different, and careful planning is essential. But the growing interest in pet-based therapeutic strategies reflects a broader commitment to holistic, person-centred support. As one practitioner put it: “Sometimes the best kind of support has four legs and a wagging tail.” Check out our photos of all the pets among the helpz family.