Living with Parkinson’s Disease

Maurice Dean’s Story of Strength and Resilience

A well-known and much-loved member of the HillView Care community, Maurice (pictured above, with wife Pauline and HillView Lifestyle Coordinator, Robbie) kindly offered to share his journey of living with Parkinson’s Disease — a journey that is as inspiring as it is honest.

Many may not know that Maurice’s life before HillView was incredibly active and accomplished. A former electrical engineer and TAFE electronics teacher, he also ran educational and fitness courses for older Australians through COTA (Council on the Aging). Maurice has always believed in the power of movement, having run six gym classes a week for over-50s and even leading exercise sessions at his local Parkinson’s support group.

An athlete at heart, Maurice played A-grade state-level tennis and was a four-time AFL grand finalist. On the day his daughter Sharon was born, he defeated a top tennis player — a memory he recalls with pride and humour. He also completed the Melbourne Marathon in under three hours, a remarkable feat by any standard.

Maurice was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2010, though symptoms such as reduced arm swing while walking had appeared earlier. The diagnosis brought challenges — physical changes, medication side effects, sleep difficulties, and eventually an offshoot of Lewy Body Dementia in his 80s. Maurice has also endured painful complications, including the removal of toes and the need for a finger splint due to muscle “clawing.”

Despite it all, Maurice remains remarkably positive — supported by his devoted wife Pauline, who visits regularly. Maurice moved into HillView Care Merrimac in September 2022, where he now receives expert care from Dr Singh and geriatrician Dr Sean Butler. His treatment plan has recently been adjusted to better support his comfort and sleep quality.

Maurice believes that his healthy and active lifestyle helped him manage Parkinson’s for many years. Even when living in northern NSW, he would cycle through macadamia farms to train — an area that sadly has seen a cluster of Parkinson’s cases, possibly linked to the spraying of Agent Orange.

Maurice’s story is one of strength, love, and a lifelong commitment to health and community. He continues to inspire fellow residents and staff at HillView with his resilience, warmth, and wisdom.

Thank you, Maurice, for sharing your journey — and reminding us all of the power of persistence, purpose, and staying active at every stage of life.