Fighting Back Against Parkinson’s
Physical activity is key to delaying or alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. When you make lifestyle modifications, like partaking in exercise for Parkinson’s Disease, you may notice the slowing or reduction in symptoms, all while increasing your quality of life.
These classes have proven that anyone, at any level of Parkinsons, can actually lessen their symptoms and lead a healthier and happier life.
Key Benefits
- Improves strength, mobility, posture, and gait
- Reduces depression, stress, and anxiety
- Reverse, reduce, and even delay the symptoms of the disease
If you, or someone you love, suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, to learn more about exercise for Parkinson’s Disease.
How Is Parkinson Disease Diagnosed
Parkinson’s disease can be hard to diagnose. No single test can identify it. Parkinson can be easily mistaken for another health condition. A healthcare provider will usually take a medical history, including a family history to find out if anyone else in your family has Parkinson’s disease. He or she will also do a neurological exam. Sometimes, an MRI or CT scan, or some other imaging scan of the brain can identify other problems or rule out other diseases.
Expertly Trained In Parkinson’s Disease Care
Senior Helpers Parkinsons Care Program is a specialized training program for our caregivers created in conjunction with leading experts from the Parkinsons Foundations Centers of Excellence network. This program, the first of its kind in the in-home senior care industry, is designed to provide our caregivers with the expert training and education necessary to create personalized care plans for individuals living with Parkinsons disease.
Parkinsons is a progressive condition, which means your loved ones care needs will change as the disease advances. At first, you may just need some assistance with running errands, but that might evolve to include assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. There is not a one-size fits all approach to care, which is why Senior Helpers works with each of our clients to develop a care plan unique to their specific needs.
Senior Helpers caregivers are educated and trained on:
- How Parkinsons disease advances and changes
- Techniques and strategies to identify and manage the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons
- Home safety and fall prevention
- Diet and nutrition
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What Are The Complications Of Parkinson Disease
Parkinson’s disease causes physical symptoms at first. Problems with cognitive function, including forgetfulness and trouble with concentration, may arise later. As the disease gets worse with time, many people develop dementia. This can cause profound memory loss and makes it hard to maintain relationships.
Parkinson’s disease dementia can cause problems with:
- Speaking and communicating with others
- Problem solving
- Forgetfulness
- Paying attention
If you have Parkinson’s disease and dementia, in time, you likely won’t be able to live by yourself. Dementia affects your ability to care of yourself, even if you can still physically do daily tasks.
Experts don’t understand how or why dementia often occurs with Parkinson’s disease. Its clear, though, that dementia and problems with cognitive function are linked to changes in the brain that cause problems with movement. As with Parkinson’s disease, dementia occurs when nerve cells degenerate, leading to chemical changes in the brain. Parkinson’s disease dementia may be treated with medicines also used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, another type of dementia.
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How Is Parkinson Disease Treated
Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured. But there are different therapies that can help control symptoms. Many of the medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease help to offset the loss of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Most of these medicines help manage symptoms quite successfully.
A procedure called deep brain stimulation may also be used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It sends electrical impulses into the brain to help control tremors and twitching movements. Some people may need surgery to manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Surgery may involve destroying small areas of brain tissue responsible for the symptoms. However, these surgeries are rarely done since deep brain stimulation is now available.
Rock Steady Boxing Class
We are excited to offer RockSteady Boxing , the first and only boxing program of its kind in the country, at The J. This non-contact boxing based curriculum gives people with Parkinsons Disease hope by improving their quality of life and can reverse, reduce, and even delay the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
Nearly everyone with Parkinsons disease can participate and receive benefits from RSB. Some participants will require a cornerman to assist in each session, which will be determined at your assessment appointment.
Recommended Reading: How To Test For Early Onset Parkinson’s
Parkinsons Foundation Local Grant Recipients
- Movement for People with Parkinson’s, The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City – Overland Park, KS
- Community choir and online music-based resources for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers, CCRC of Lenexa – Lenexa, KS
- Lakeview Village Parkinson’s Alliance, Lakeview Village Foundation – Lenexa, KS
- Parkinson’s Families of Northwest Kansas: Moving to Live Pilot Program, Parkinson’s Families of Northwest Kansas Association – Colby, KS
- Play, Move, and Create Workshop Series, Parkinson’s Nebraska – Omaha, NE
- Nebraska Medicine-Bellevue Parkinson’s Education and Outreach Group, Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha, NE
- PDWELL Community Grant, PDWELL/Ensign Services – Elkhorn, NE
- Outreach Programs for Persons with PD in Rural Areas, Iowa State University Foundation – Ames, IA
- Art Therapy Program for Parkinsons Disease patients, Saint Luke’s Foundation – Kansas City, MO
- Parkinsons Group of the Ozarks Mobilizing Music Program, Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks – Springfield, MO
- Exercise Programs for Those with Parkinsons Disease, Paraquad, Inc – St Louis, MO
Living With Parkinson Disease
These measures can help you live well with Parkinson’s disease:
- An exercise routine can help keep muscles flexible and mobile. Exercise also releases natural brain chemicals that can improve emotional well-being.
- High protein meals can benefit your brain chemistry
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help your ability to care for yourself and communicate with others
- If you or your family has questions about Parkinson’s disease, want information about treatment, or need to find support, you can contact the American Parkinson Disease Association.
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How Do I Start
We require all potential boxers to complete a thorough fitness assessment with one of our certified RSB coaches.
Fitness assessments will be held at the end of every month and require registration to attend.
“Rock Steady Boxing has truly brought meaning back into my life. Now that I have been participating for 3 months, I feel like a new person. I look forward to class to meet with my friends, work up a sweat, and see myself as worthwhile and strong.”
– Pamela D., Participant
Mondays + Wednesdays + Fridays from 10:45 am – 11:45 am
Classes now also streamed via ZOOM!
Annual RSB Membership: $70/year for unlimited classes
Questions? For more information or to observe a class, please contact at 327-8028.