Parkinson’s Awareness Month Week 2
April 12, 2021
Therapy, Exercise & PD, and Building a Wellness Community
PT, OT, and Speech Therapy
Physical, occupational and speech therapy are all play an important role in living well with Parkinson’s disease. There are Parkinson’s specific certifications that focus on treating people with Parkinson’s, including LVST BIG, LSVT LOUD, Parkinson Wellness Recovery, and the SPEAK OUT! and Loud Crowd programs. Parkinson’s Nebraska recommends finding a therapist with these certifications to treat your Parkinson’s disease. Certified LVST BIG, LSVT LOUD, and SPEAK OUT clinicians can be searched at the links below:
SPEAK OUT providers: https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/providers.aspx
LSVT BIG/LOUD providers: https://www.lsvtglobal.com/LSVTFindClinicians
Articles
The Expert Care Experience: Physical Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease
The Expert Care Experience: Parkinson’s and Meaningful Occupations
The Expert Care Experience: Speech, Swallowing, and Parkinson’s
Webinars:
Davis Phinney PT Panel– Davis Phinney Foundation
Occupational Therapy and Living Well with Parkinson’s– Davis Phinney Foundation
Speech Swallowing, And Parkinson’s Disease– The Parkinson Voice Project
Resources:
Parkinson Voice Project Online Speech Exercises
Davis Phinney and Kelsey Phinney Practical Vocal Exercises for Parkinson’s
Podcasts:
Parkinson’s Podcast: Speech, Voice, and Parkinson’s
Substantial Matters: Down the Hatch: Swallowing Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease
Exercise & PD
There are many benefits to exercise and Parkinson’s disease, including motor and non-motor benefits. Exercise effects Parkinson’s on a neurological level, increasing neuroplasticity in the brain and helping to replaced pathways damaged by the disease and retrain the brain how to move. It can help lead to a higher quality of life and is clinical shown to delay the progression of the disease!
Articles
Neuroprotective Benefits of Exercise
Podcasts:
Parkinson’s Podcast: How to Exercise with Parkinson’s
Building a Wellness Community
Parkinson’s Nebraska advocates for a comprehensive, community-based approach to building strong Parkinson’s communities. The Community Advocacy Model represents the networks of providers, programs, and connections that impact the quality of life for Nebraskans with Parkinson’s. The model is used to educate communities, help identify local strengths and barriers to services, and guide the development of Parkinson’s programs. Learn more about the model here.
Our Impact in the Community
The Community Outreach Program is designed to empower communities with the tools and resources to create comprehensive, sustainable Parkinson’s programs that meet their local needs. The program equips community leaders with an understanding of the Community Advocacy Model, the tools to identify local strengths and barriers, and access to resources that help build strong Parkinson’s programs.
In 2020, we ran a successful pilot Community Outreach Program in Norfolk, NE. We are currently in the beginning stage of implementing the program in Kearney in partnership with the Davis Phinney Foundation.
Read more about our work in Norfolk
Read more about our plans in Kearney
DPF Healthy Communities Initiative
We have been working closely with the Davis Phinney Foundation and their new Healthy Parkinson’s Communities™ initiative. Our Community Outreach Program is modeled off of their community outreach programs. Learn more about the initiative and how you can get involved below:
What is the Healthy Parkinson’s Community Initiative?
The What, Why, and How of Community Action Committees (CACS)
Ambassador Leadership Program
Healthy Parkinson’s Communities Network
Podcasts:
Substantial Matters: A Multidisciplinary Approach to PD