04/04/2008 Parkinson's disease – there is no cure for this progressive disability… On 11 April, 2008, it is World Parkinson's Day – the birthday of Sir James Parkinson (1755), the doctor who first described the disease. We will all be asked to think about the often devastating disease and recognise the need for accessible specialist services. Parkinson's disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is characterised by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. Over the last decade, it's been given an especially high profile by celebrities who've been affected by it, like Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali and the late Pope John Paul II. The Facts

• There is no cure for PD which is usually slow and progressive by nature. However, some medications and increasingly some surgical options, help control the symptoms.

• In 2005 over 54,700 Australians had PD. 28,100 were men and 26,600 were women.

• PD usually affects people over aged 50, however people in their 30's and 40's are also diagnosed.

• There were around 8,900 new cases of Parkinson's in 2005, and the median time from onset to death is 12.2 years.

• The total financial cost of Parkinson's disease in 2005 was estimated at $527.8 million.

• About $100 million is represented by lost productivity, aids, appliances, home modification, carer costs and other expenses that tend to burden individuals rather than the community . 1

How you can help your clients CommInsure's Trauma Insurance will pay a full benefit on diagnosis of PD, whereas some of our competitors require at least 25% whole person impairment before paying a full trauma benefit. It may take months or years for a client to degenerate to 25% whole person impairment. We support lifestyles with Income Care cover and TPD benefits. Typically, loss of work capacity is substantial, early and progressive, so financial assistance is vital. Those who have selected these products will greatly appreciate the support and flexibility of options including Income Care's TPD Cover Option and Family Support Benefit. CommInsure's skilled Claims Managers and Rehabilitation Consultants can often also assist those with less severe PD continue in their current employment by:

• organising functional aids, such as modified computers;

• facilitating work from home, as travel and mobility can become difficult;

• negotiating with employers to match work hours and conditions to abilities;

• career counselling and job seeking assistance to help the client obtain work that is most suitable; and

• support ongoing work at reduced capacity through the partial disability benefit arrangement.

Recent CommInsure Claims for Parkinson's

Occupation	Age	Sex	Policy	Amount
Executive	42	M	Trauma	$250,000
School Principal	40	M	TPD	$330,000
Home Maker	39	F	Trauma	$100,000
Truck Driver	48	M	TPD	$50,000

Summary CommInsure can protect against the financial hardships and lifestyle changes associated with Parkinson's disease with Income Care, Trauma and/or TPD benefits. In addition to the valuable financial support, CommInsure goes further to assist sufferers with rehabilitation support. World Parkinson's Day provides an opportunity to discuss the need for adequate insurance cover with your clients, and to conduct regular reviews of sums insured. There is typically no warning before Parkinson's disease first hits and regretfully after the onset of this disease it's too late to increase cover.

Important information This information was prepared by The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited ABN 12 004 021 809 (CMLA) for the use of advisers only and is not to be issued or made available to members of the public. The taxation information, social security information and examples are of a general nature only and should not be regarded as specific advice. It is based on the continuation of present taxation laws (2007-2008 rates), superannuation laws, social security laws, rulings and their interpretation as at the issue date of this article. Advisers should refer to the relevant life company policy documents for further clarification. CommInsure is a registered business name of CMLA.