By Marty Coffin Evans
During April, Parkinson’s awareness may be more heightened than other times during the year. With nearly one million Americans diagnosed with the disease, including 17,000 who live in Colorado, chances are you or someone you know is a Person with Parkinson’s (PwP).
While Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disease robbing individuals of control over their movements, exercise can be most beneficial. Where several decades ago, PwPs were discouraged from exercising, now its potential benefits are being strongly encouraged. Research studies are on-going studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
Great strides are being made in both the cause and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), although no cure has been found. Interdisciplinary treatment programs in Northern Colorado along with those provided in city and county recreation centers give PwPs the ability to find an exercise program best suited to their individual needs. Interdisciplinary programs incorporate physical, occupational and speech therapy.
John Dean, Parkinson’s Program Coordinator, Mountains States Division, comments about the rewarding work in helping those with PD, “Because of all of the research coming out about rehab- based treatment approaches, we finally have a much better tool kit for addressing some of the many types of difficulties associated with this disease. As a result, we are seeing fantastic results with people we see at all stages of the disease.” Those who participate in exercise programs, find an increase in their mobility along with their ability to continue fitness activities previously enjoyed but now with some modification. Walking unaided or rising from a chair independently, before participating in exercise programs, might not have been as doable.
Because Parkinson’s is different for every person, thus requiring individualized treatment, some may refer to it as a designer disease. Non-motor symptoms, not widely recognized or acknowledged until recently including some within the neurology field, are now the target of research. Motor symptoms are well known.
Coloradans are urged to learn more about the disease and support services of organizations such as the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies (PAR.) PAR’s annual Vitality Walk is scheduled at Denver’s Wash Park on June 1, 2014.
Information resources: John Dean (John_Dean@lcca.com/303-684- 5755), Phinney Foundation; www. ParkinsonRockies.org/303-830- 1839)