A Range Of Advanced Treatments For Parkinsons
What sets the Parkinsons Disease Center of Central Massachusetts apart is the comprehensive nature of care provided. Not only will patients find the latest approved therapies, they will also benefit from a rehab therapist schooled in the best physical therapy protocols for Parkinsons treatment. The Center is also dedicated to providing the best experience possible for patients and referring physicians from medication refills to working closely with insurance companies. In addition, Dr. Sommer is experienced in deep brain stimulation therapy and has a working relationship with area surgeons who provide device implants. Following surgery, patients can receive their follow-up care locally with Dr. Sommer for greater convenience.
Parkinson Support Network Of Cape Cod
- Address72 East Concord StreetC3
- HoursPlease call or visit website for hours of operation.
- Area Served:Barnstable County
- Specific Populations Served:individuals and families living with Parkinson?s Disease
- Fees:Please contact provider for fee information.
- Application Process:Call or visit website for additional information.
- Eligibility Requirements:available to all
- Payment/Insurance Accepted:Please contact provider for accepted forms of payment.
- ADA Access:Please contact facility for accessibility information.
Topics You Might Discuss
A support group may discuss a variety of topics centered around living with Parkinsons disease, including accepting your diagnosis and finding ways to live your best life, as well as issues that may be important to caregivers. That might include:
- challenges you have encountered and how to handle them
- adaptations youve had to make in your daily life, such as with housework or grooming
- how you deal with feelings of loneliness or grief
- your experiences with depression and anxiety
- issues related to sexuality and relationships with spouses or partners
- relationships with adult children or other relatives
- side effects from medications how they have affected you
- new research into treatments
- talking to a loved one about the progression of symptoms
You May Like: Can You Still Drive With Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Support Groupbranson West Area
Hosted by the Stone County Health Department, these meetings offer PD support paired with monthly educational learning opportunities from professional guest speakers in the area.
11016 State Hwy 76, Ste 11Branson West, MO 65737
Meetings held 1st Thursday of the month at 12 PM.
Caregiver meetings held quarterly the 3rd Thursday of the month at 12 PM.
Coxhealth Parkinsons Support Group For Seniorsspringfield Area
This group is available for caregivers and those who have been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease that are age 65+. Masks are required.
Meyer Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital
3535 S. National Ave
Meetings held the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2:30 PM.
Please call if youre interested in attending or have questions.
Provides faith-based support for Parkinson’s disease.
King’s Way United Methodist Church
2401 S. Lone Pine Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804
Meetings held the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 2 PM and 6 PM.
Read Also: Parkinson’s Disease Leg Cramps
Some Of The Services Offered At The Parkinsons Disease Center Of Central Massachusetts Include:
- Prescription medication management
- for motor symptoms
- for non-motor symptoms
We look forward to working with you and showing you why so many Parkinsons disease patients turn to us for care that meets the highest standards.
Finding The Right Group
If you’re feeling frustrated about life with Parkinson’s disease, being part of a support group can be one of the best ways to reduce stress and connect with others who can relate to your experience. Care partners and family members also benefit from sharing questions and concerns with like-minded others.
Many resources are available to help you find a support group, including your neurologist or physician , local hospitals , community calendars in local newspapers, and websites of national Parkinson’s disease organizations.
Not all support groups are right for everyone, however. For starters, they come in different formats, ranging from large, formal meetings to smaller “living-room” get-togethers. If you don’t like the first group you find, it’s worth looking for one that suits you better. If you can’t find a group you like in your area, consider starting one. If you are unsatisfied with the available options, you’re probably not the only one feeling that way.
Don’t Miss: Improving Balance In Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinsons In Motion Team Of Qualified Professionals
In addition to our speaker series, which is helmed by nationally recognized experts and presenters, our weekly and monthly virtual programs are led by a team of renowned professionals from the Boston area, experienced in working with older adults and those living with Parkinsons.
Our instructors are from esteemed academic institutions and leading organizations, and have experience in art, music, dance, healthcare, and social work. Their diverse backgrounds and talents help us create meaningful programming for a variety of interests and abilities.
Parkinsons Community Wellness Program
The Wellness Program runs 2x/week for 6 weeks, and is designed to help individuals with Parkinsons disease living in the community learn to manage their health more effectively in order to improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life. Under the guidance of Deb Ellis, PT, clinical specialist in neurological physical therapy, participants in Western Massachusetts will learn exercises and problem solving approaches to managing daily mobility and self-care issues which often interfere with function and quality of life. Participants will learn to master an evidence based, Parkinsons specific exercise program and develop the skills to continue with the program on an ongoing basis. This group setting also becomes an environment where participants share resources and establish friendships. Nealry all participants feel empowered by the information they learn and by their improved strength, walking and balance.
This program was developed from a model established at Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. The program is regularly updated to include the most current exercise research.These initiatives are supported in part by the American Parkinson Disease Association, Massachusetts Chapter. Programs consistently run 3x/year in the Pioneer Valley.
Read Also: Can Chinese Medicine Help Parkinson’s
Starting A Support Group
Some tips to help you start your own support group:
Choose the group’s target audience.Is it just for people with Parkinson’s, or are care partners and family members invited as well? If you live in a larger city, you can consider gearing the meeting toward a more specific group, such as people with young-onset Parkinson’s disease.Churches, community centers, libraries and other spaces with meeting rooms are great choices. Because members may want to share personal stories, more public spaces like coffee shops and restaurants may not be ideal. You can also decide if your group should meet monthly, twice a month or even weekly.
Figure out a format for the meetings. Will there be one “leader” who facilitates discussions or will members take turns hosting the meeting? From time to time, try to schedule guest speakers such as area neurologists and allied care professionals, like physical therapists and nutritionists. If there are exercise groups for people with Parkinson’s in your area, invite them to give a demonstration and share their services. Of course, leave plenty of time for simply chatting about life with Parkinson’s disease, too.
Spread the word. Ask your doctor if you can share flyers in the office, and let your local hospitals know about the group, too. Bring flyers to libraries, coffee shops and other community spaces. If you’re tech-savvy, start a Facebook group or page, or make a basic website. These are also good ways to keep in touch with members.
Dailystrength Parkinsons Disease Support Group
Key Specs
- Details: Easy-to-use interface, small and intimate support group, and provides access to doctors
- Things to consider: It’s not a very active group
The DailyStrength Parkinsons Disease Support Group is a free and welcoming online support community with more than 400 members and 3,000 posts.
The mission of the group is centered around empowering and inspiring each other to overcome PD-related and life challenges.
Overall, the DailyStrength website is easy to navigate, and registration is straightforward and quick. Posts are informational, practical, and thoughtful. This is, perhaps, a good place to start for people looking for a smaller, more intimate online support group that is not overwhelming or associated with a national organization.
Even though the site is not moderated, to keep the support group safe and positive, DailyStrength has a set of guidelines that the members are asked to follow.
Read Also: Amino Acid Used To Treat Parkinson’s Disease
Other Places To Find Support
Support groups aren’t for everyone. If they don’t appeal to you, there’s no need to force it. If you were involved in community, religious or hobby-based organizations in your life before Parkinson’s, keep up those ties and friendships. In addition, educating yourself about Parkinson’s, and getting involved with local or national Parkinson’s organizations, can be ways to meet people who share some experiences with you without joining a support group.
Find Support in the Parkinsons Buddy Network
Create connections and find community online in the Parkinsons Buddy Network. Were building an online support system, one buddy at a time.
How To Open Up In A Group Setting
If youre new to talking in a support group, you may feel a little uncertain. Thats totally normal, as any experienced support group member can tell you.
First, contact the facilitator and ask about the group. Try to learn as much as you can about the group culture and what will be expected of you. Some groups will assign you an informal buddy to help get you acclimated to the group, so you might ask the moderator about that possibility.
Then when you get to your first meeting, consider these strategies to help you get integrated and begin sharing:
Recommended Reading: How To Deal With Parkinson’s Disease
Deep Brain Stimulation Program
The Deep Brain Stimulation Program is a collaborative medical and surgical program for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. This interdisciplinary program includes neurosurgery, neurology, neuropsychiatry, behavioral medicine, anesthesiology, and nursing, providing state-of-the-art care for patients.
A multi-step screening process is used to select patients carefully for this procedure. Some patients who may be candidates for surgery include: 1) patients who do not have good movement control despite optimized medical therapy and 2) patients who have dyskinesia or other side effects that limit the use of Parkinson’s medications.
In the selection process, patients are referred by their neurologist for a screening neurological consultation by the neurological DBS team members. Patients are evaluated with a brain MRI, neuropsychological testing, and movement testing with videotaping. Test results are reviewed by a panel of movement disorder specialists before referring the patient to the neurosurgeon for further evaluation. The patient is also evaluated by the DBS neurosurgeon.
After DBS, patients receive follow-up neurological care and adjustments of medications and DBS neurostimulators. To learn more about the DBS Program at BMC, .
Discover Parkinsons In Motion At Goddard House
Parkinsons in Motion is a new and innovative initiative at Goddard House that takes a holistic approach to address the very diverse experiences and symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Designed to help our residents living with the disease to better manage its symptoms through access to movement and expressive therapies programs, a classroom support group, and an educational speaker program, these evidence-based resources are also available to others in the greater community, including family members and caregivers.
Our Parkinsons in Motion programs include:
Participation in our Parkinsons in Motion program is open to all Goddard House residents. Our programs are also available to a limited number of community members and caregivers, which adds a wonderful dimension, as well as additional perspectives. We also hold regular fundraisers to support Parkinsons research, so make sure to to see what were up to next!
Also Check: Best Parkinson’s Doctors In Nj
What Metrowest Caregivers Should Know
Help is close by. The American Parkinson Disease Association has a Massachusetts chapter located in Boston that states its goal as support the national mission to Ease the Burden and Find the Cure through education, program development, support group assistance, fundraising and community involvement.
The APDA Massachusetts chapter can be contacted at:72 East Concord Street, C3Boston, MA 02118
| Civil War memorial on Franklin Common/Photo by Douglas Flynn |
Boston is also home to some of the top treatment and research facilities for Parkinsons disease. That includes the Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the Boston University School of Medicine, which has been designated an Advanced Center of Parkinson Research and a Parkinsons disease Information and Referral Center by the APDA.
The Information & Referral Center was established in 1980 and serves as a resource for those with Parkinsons disease and their loved ones as well as healthcare providers. Patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and the greater community can receive support regardless of their affiliation with Boston University Medical Center or any other medical facility.
Services provided by the APDA Information and Referral Center include:
- A telephone helpline
- A comprehensive resource referral network
- Support group assistance
- Counseling and guidance
- Training and support for healthcare professionals
Care Thats Built Around Each Individual Patient
All patients first undergo a standardized assessment and then the effects of the disease are examined within the context of their everyday lives. This allows a treatment plan to be developed that makes the most sense for each individual patient. Managing Parkinsons disease can be complex, but the Parkinsons Disease Center of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to providing world class care that helps patients maximize their function and minimize their disability from this disease.
You May Like: Parkinson’s Symptom Tracker App
Led By A Movement Disorders Specialist
With Parkinsons disease, choices made about treatment can have a major impact on the long-term course of the illness. Therefore, many physicians recommend that Parkinsons patients see a movement disorders specialist early in the course of the disease. Led by Dr. David Sommer, a fellowship-trained neurologist who is a movement disorders specialist, the Parkinsons Disease Center of Central Massachusetts can provide a level of care that truly makes a difference in the daily lives of patients.
What To Expect From A Support Group
Some in-person groups are small, others are large. Some groups meet during the day, while others gather in the evening or even on the weekend. Some in-person groups meet in a community-based setting, like a YMCA, a library, or a church basement, while others may hold meetings in a hospital conference room, a clinic, or a rehabilitation center.
Meanwhile, online support groups also vary in size and in demographics. Some groups have been around a long time, with members who have formed friendships over the years, while others may be relatively new groups with people who are still getting to know each other.
One thing all support groups have in common in this: They want to help people affected by Parkinsons disease.
Recommended Reading: Parkinson’s Disease In Older Adults
Research & Clinical Trials
Our team of physicians is actively involved in research to better understand the causes of Parkinsons disease and to identify new treatments. Since 2013, MGH has been the home to the Parkinson Study Group, the largest not-for-profit network of Parkinsons centers in North America. As a patient, you may have the opportunity to participate in:
- Clinical trials for new investigational drugs
- Research studies to find new and better ways to diagnose and monitor Parkinsons disease
- Studies that improve delivery and quality of care for Parkinsons patients
If you are interested in volunteering for research, please ask to speak with a research coordinator or browse our list of movement disorders clinical trials.
A Unique Resource For Parkinsons Patients
Located within the Reliant Medical Group Neurology Suite at the Worcester Medical Center, the Parkinsons Disease Center of Central Massachusetts provides easily accessible care for those suffering from Parkinsons disease and related disorders. Patients are treated by a team of caregivers, with expertise in both medical and non-medical management.
Don’t Miss: Boxing For Parkinson’s Patients
Parkinsons Wellness Programs And Care Partner Support Group
JCC Greater Boston, in partnership with the Movement Disorder Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is committed to serving all adults affected by Parkinson’s Disease and their families. We offer a variety of exercise classes, support group with a Licensed Social Worker and educational events to support people with Parkinson’s in slowing disease progression and minimizing symptoms, while providing a nurturing environment for families to share information and provide emotional support.
In collaboration with the medical community, local organizations and experienced instructor staff, we strive to help our Parkinson’s Community live their best, fullest life in the spirit of overall wellness and health.
This program is open to anyone affected by Parkinsons. You do not have to be Jewish to participate.
Parkinsons Movement Disorder And Alliance
Key Specs
- Membership fee: Free
- Structure:In-person support groups, virtual Zoom support groups, chat forums/message boards
- Details: Offers both in-person and virtual support groups, educational videos and resources, and support is available for care partners
- Things to do: A survey needs to be completed first before you can participate in the online community
The Parkinsons Movement Disorder and Alliance is a nonprofit organization that focuses on characteristics like empathy, creativity, resiliency, and shared learning.
It also has a wealth of support and educational services. Aside from online programming and Zoom support groups, this organization also offers various in-person support groups located throughout the country.
Additionally, the organization features numerous educational programs like “Lunch with Docs,” in which individuals can meet with a movement disorder specialist virtually over lunch from the comfort of their own home.
There are free workshops across the country called In Sync for supporting and teaching people interested in developing their skills as a support group leader.
There, people can learn skills and build confidence in designing and leading their own support group for Parkinsons disease or other movement disorders. Leadership experts and healthcare professionals also provide guidance through informational presentations.
Read Also: What Happens In Parkinson’s Disease