The John Kane Regional Center in Glen Hazel will continue its Family Forum series with the presentation of “Understanding Huntington’s Disease Myths and Realities” on July 29.
Peggy Polito, LSW, and Peggy Humbert of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of Huntington’s Disease Society of America will conduct the one-hour forum that begins at 2 p.m. in the first floor conference room at Glen Hazel.
“Huntington’s Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families, emotionally, socially and economically,” said Judy Fockler, Social Services Supervisor at Kane Glen Hazel. “The Family Forum will address key issues regarding the challenges associated with Huntington’s Disease and how those affect the patient and his or her family. Our goal is to assist those afflicted by this disease as well as their families.”
Huntington’s Disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care.
Named for Dr. George Huntington, who first described this hereditary disorder in 1872, HD is now recognized as one of the more common genetic disorders. More than a quarter of a million Americans have HD or are “at risk” of inheriting the disease from an affected parent. HD affects as many people as Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis or muscular dystrophy.
This is the fourth Family Forum held at Kane Glen Hazel since the educational and informative series began in April. That month VITAS Hospice presented “Precious Presents: Ways to Remember Your Loved One and Enjoy Your Time Together.”
The second Family Forum presented by Family Hospice on May 20 was entitled “The Elephant in the Room,” and focused on difficult, yet critical conversations about the challenges associated with a loved one’s deteriorating health condition.
The third Family Forum was entitled “Dealing with Dementia” and was presented by the Alzheimer’s Association on June 10. That discussion was intended to assist family members whose loved ones have Alzheimer’s.
For more information, contact Judy Fockler, Social Services Supervisor at Kane Glen Hazel, at 412.422.6987.