People who have Young Onset Parkinson’s are likely to live with Parkinson’s for much longer than those who get the condition later in life, and therefore will have different needs and priorities than an older person.
The competing demands of employment, family and school commitments, sport, social events and activities are major issues for people with Young Onset Parkinson’s. For those who live outside of metropolitan and major regional centres, the issues can be further compounded.
Thankfully, we have recently launched a Young Onset Parkinson’s Exchange (YOP-X) App and website to act as an information portal and resource hub supporting people with Young Onset Parkinson’s.
YOP-X works to remove barriers preventing clients, NDIS staff and other health professionals, to accessing high quality tools and resources regarding young onset Parkinson’s. It provides targeted delivery of information through online and App-based platforms suited to people under the age of 65.
Young Onset Parkinson’s eXchange App (YOP-X)
The YOP-X app is an innovative, comprehensive information portal and resource hub, designed to support individuals living with Young Onset Parkinson’s, as well as those who play a vital role in supporting them such as primary support people and healthcare professionals.
YOP-X also provides a fast track for people with Young Onset Parkinson’s to collect and collate information relevant to their NDIS applications.
YOP-X works to remove barriers preventing clients, NDIS staff and other health professionals, access to high quality tools and resources regarding young onset Parkinson’s. It provides targeted delivery of information through online and App-based platforms suited to people under the age of 65.
YOP-X was created because evidence from people living with YOP suggested a lack of information, education and understanding of the condition, symptoms and its progression, as well as a lack of supports enabling social, community and economic participation.
There are six key pillars form the foundation of all information and resources on the app:
1. Mental health and emotional wellbeing
2. Employment and legal
3. Sex, relationships and intimacy
4. Sleep, fatigue and maximising energy
5. Exercise and nutrition
6. Changing your brain.
An easier way to apply for NDIS
The YOP-X app also includes a first-of-a-kind NDIS wallet to provide a fast-tracked and efficient way for individuals living with YOPD to collect and collate all the relevant information required for their NDIS applications. The NDIS wallet provides a streamlined process for people to describe their worst day, a key requirement of the NDIS application process.
Download the app for free from the App Store for Apple Devices or Google Play for Android devices.
