Supportive Programming Helps Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Westerville Parks and Recreation staff are coordinating and facilitating health and wellness opportunities for people coping with an incurable and sometimes grueling disease–Parkinson’s.

The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that one million Americans, including about 37,000 Ohio residents live with the disease.

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system where neurons—the nerve cells that send and receive messages between the body and the brain–weaken and become damaged, eventually ceasing to function. The disorder impacts voluntary and involuntary movements.

At first, symptoms may present as a subtle tremor in a hand, foot or jaw. As the condition progresses, individuals may experience stiffening muscles, slower movements, impaired balance, rapid jerking movements or difficulty talking or swallowing, among other symptoms. Individuals may also develop mood disorders and sleep disturbances.

Researchers have yet to pin down what triggers the neuron degeneration associated with Parkinson’s and there is not yet a single definitive screening for the disease. Johns Hopkins University’s website notes that age, genetics, environmental factors and physical trauma to the head are all thought to be contributing factors. Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to have the disease. The average age for the onset of symptoms is 60.

A person has two choices when they are faced with an incurable diagnosis: allow the news to freeze them in their tracks or keep moving with a focus on improving their quality of life. Researchers have identified multiple methods of exercise that can improve balance, mobility, gait and mental health for people with Parkinson's.

In 2021, the Parkinson’s Foundation partnered with the American College of Sports Medicine to establish new recommendations for exercise programs encouraging individuals to participate in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise:

• Aerobic activity for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, three days a week

• Strength training for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, 2-3 days a week

• Balance, agility and multitasking daily, if possible, at least 2-3 days a week

The Westerville Senior Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., offers two fitness classes–spin cycling and wellness–tailored for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s Spin for Fitness combines strength training and cycling to enhance mobility, balance and overall health. The Parkinson’s Wellness program helps optimize physical fitness and function. Both classes require registration and are available March through May.

The Senior Center also hosts a drop-in Parkinson’s Support Group, facilitated by Concord Counseling, and a Parkinson’s Group Talk, both of which offer varying levels of support for individuals with the disease and caregivers.

To learn more about experiences tailored to Parkinson’s, see the older adults programming section beginning on page 54 or visit www.Westerville.org/Registration.

90,000 NEW diagnoses each year in the U.S.

1.2 mil expected to live with Parkinson's in the U.S. by 2030