Your Partner in Parkinson’s

Your Partner

in Parkinson’s

Approximately 1% of individuals age 65 and older, and 3 to 5% over age 85, develop Parkinson’s disease, according to Dr. Thomas Tropea, a neurologist, movement disorder specialist and assistant professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. The neurodegenerative disorder affects dopamine production in the brain and can lead to shaking, stiffness and difficulty with walking, balance and coordination.

“Studies show regular exercise can help maintain balance, mobility and the ability to perform daily tasks,” according to Kara LaFreeda, wellness program manager at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill.

“This means exercise can help ease Parkinson’s symptoms and may even slow the progression of the disease. The goal is to incorporate aerobic, strengthening, balance and stretching into the routine and adapt as needed based on the person’s abilities.”

Masonic Villages has programs in place to help those who have Parkinson’s, their loved ones and those who may develop Parkinson’s.

“We always first recommend the resident consults their doctor before starting any exercise program. Parkinson’s disease can affect people differently, so you would need to assess each person,” Kara said. “Physical therapy may be a first step to get their exercise regimen safely underway. In the Wellness Center, the main goal is to find an exercise they enjoy and stick with, whether it is using the recumbent bicycle, NuStep, our Pneumatic strength training equipment or even a fitness or yoga class.”

Masonic Village at Sewickley’s Barley Wellness Center works with the physical therapy department on approved exercises for each resident, with oversight from a physician.

The Baird Wellness Center at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown offers a “Let’s Move with Parkinson’s” exercise class, and staff are planning to host some virtual speakers this summer to speak on the topic. Lydia Kraft and Brooke Smoker, wellness specialists, do one-on-one personal trainings with clientele.

“Boxing, along with other bouts of high intensity exercise, has been shown to help manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease,” Brooke said. “We offer a range of different programs to help with symptom management.”

Masonic Village at Dallas residents have access to CIP Rehabilitation, located in the Irem Clubhouse, which offers customized plans using evidencebased interventions for those with Parkinson’s.

“BIG” AND “LOUD” PROGRAMS

People think of Parkinson’s as primarily affecting movement, but their speech and vocal capability are also impacted.

According to Lauren Rebuck, a speech and language pathologist with Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, 89% of people with Parkinson’s have some kind of voice disorder.

LVST Global, a neurological therapy development organization and training provider, offers “BIG” and “LOUD” programs that use speech, physical and occupational therapy to “recalibrate” movement and speech patterns when affected by Parkinson’s.

These programs are perfect fits for Masonic Villages’ inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation teams, a group of clinicians already used to collaborating on patient care.

“Many people with Parkinson’s need not just physical therapy but occupational and speech therapy,” Michelle Hinkle, physical therapist in Elizabethtown said. “An interdisciplinary team is very important for treating the whole person. We’re looking at patients’ quality of life and enjoying their time here.”

Participants in the “BIG” and “LOUD” programs in Elizabethtown have four one-hour sessions a week, plus homework, for a month.

Barb Dieterle, occupational therapist with the outpatient rehabilitation department, has been visiting Barry Zimmerman in his home for about three months. She’s suggested products to simplify his life, such as Velcro pants, ramps and a raised table, so he can comfortably continue tinkering in his garage. She also works on exercises which have helped his posture, and she coordinates with home care staff who visit Barry. He will eventually transition to visiting the Baird Wellness Center to continue his exercises.

“There’s a lot of benefit,” Barry said. “I’m able to concentrate more and do things I enjoy. My upper body is stronger.”

“People may not realize we can make their life easier,” Barb said. “They may be afraid to let us see them struggling. We’re here to do little things to help. We want people to stay in their homes.”

“It takes a lot off me,” Barry’s wife, Donna, said.

“A Mason for 27 years, I was always hoping I’d end up [at Masonic Village],” Barry said. “I haven’t been disappointed. There’s so much to do and so many nice people.”

Masonic Villages’ Lafayette Hill, Sewickley and Warminster locations utilize Genesis Rehabilitation Services for physical and occupational therapy, and their staff are also LVST-BIG and LVST-LOUD certified.

NEUROLOGIC MUSIC THERAPY

Another new treatment approach comes from Masonic Village at Elizabethtown’s music therapy department. Music therapist Liz Eargle recently completed training in neurologic music therapy. It is a research-based approach focused on using music as the stimulus for behaviors, based upon understanding how music impacts the brain. Specific techniques have been developed to address cognitive, sensorimotor and speech and language skills.

For those with Parkinson’s, the technique focuses on increasing breath support and volume of sound, as cluttering of speech and decreased volume are very common. Coordination of movement also becomes difficult with Parkinson’s, and the addition of a metronome and musical cues can help patients increase awareness of their movements and practice control.

After a referral from Barb, Barry and Liz (shown together in left photo) began meeting weekly. Liz helps cue specific movements through the placement of a drum or tambourine in front of Barry and uses the sound feedback to show how his movements to reach the drum or tambourine were coordinated. She also directs him to do a forward and back lean to isolate a specific movement that helps build core control.

“I feel better after she comes,” Barry said. “When she tells me it’s our last song, I get sad.”

Barry, a fan of country and western music, especially enjoys when they sing his favorite song together, “I Walk the Line,” by Johnny Cash.

BIODEX TREADMILL AND GAIT TRAINER

On the technology end, Elizabethtown’s outpatient rehabilitation department added a Biodex treadmill and gait trainer to their lineup of therapy machines available for residents. Those with Parkinson’s, back pain or spinal cord injuries, as well as amputees, will all benefit from this piece of equipment and its “unweighting” system.

Elizabethtown residents Mark and Judy Townsend contributed financially to supply outpatient rehabilitation with some of their previous machines, like the SMARTfit Mini. The Biodex treadmill and gait trainer was a result of their giving as well.

“As a department, we want to expand as much as we can to see what we can offer. We would not be where we are today without Mark and Judy,” Michael Dilley, director of therapy services, said.

“It’s one thing to say we have a program and success stories; it’s another thing to say ‘Look what we did with this specific person.’”