Services for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders
For many sufferers, the most common and troubling symptoms – lack of coordination, balance, walking and postural problems – can be effectively addressed through physical therapy. A customized program of therapeutic exercises, with guidance from one of our specialized therapists, can also help with flexibility and fall prevention.
Occupational therapy helps patients maintain and improve their level of self-care, work and leisure activities, with special attention to challenging activities of daily living, such as showering and getting dressed, preparing food and eating. Many patients receive help with handwriting, which commonly becomes small and cramped.
Speech therapy addresses speech and communication difficulties commonly experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease, whose voices tend to become soft and muffled. In addition to traditional speech therapy techniques, the program’s speech and language pathologists are certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT-Loud), an innovative and effective technique for improving voice volume by retraining patients on the level of effort needed to produce sound.
LSVT-Big effectively applies the same principles to limb movements, and a new integrated program, LSVT-Big and Loud, simultaneously targets speech and limb motor control.
For most people with Parkinson’s disease or related disorders, there is no reason not to continue working. However, if work becomes difficult or unsafe, our vocational rehabilitation specialists can help determine what job duties you can realistically and safely continue to do; suggest adjustments in work schedule or assignments, or modifications in the workplace; and teach techniques for performing specific job duties.
Other Services Offered Include:
- Functional Fitness, a one-on-one exercise program conducted by an exercise physiologist aimed at maximizing functional abilities required for activities of daily living by building upon the skills learned in physical and occupational therapy (Physical or occupational therapist referral required)
- Integrated Exercise for Parkinson’s classes held three times a week at RIC’s Galvin Health and Fitness Center; the focus is on ambulation, range of motion, strengthening, postural awareness and balance
- Patient, family and caregiver education about home safety and other relevant issues
- Swallowing assessments and therapy
- Nutritional counseling
- Psychological and emotional counseling
- Assistive technology and augmentative communication devices
- Clinical research trials
- Parkinson’s disease support group
- Links and referrals to national and community resources
