Learn more about our upcoming events, education opportunities, and support groups!
IN THIS ISSUE: January 2024 Lee Health Education Series Empowerment Meeting: Words of Wisdom PD 101 for Beginners February 2024 Managing Changing Symptoms Event
Virtual PD 101 for Beginners Tai Chi & Matter of Balance March 2024
PARKINSON PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Early Stage PD Dutch Treat Dinner Virtual Saint Patrick’s Day Social Speech Therapy For Speech, Swallowing & Thinking Changes
Tai Chi for Better Balance Workshop Join Us for Eight Weeks of In-Person + Virtual Sessions
Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance and lower fall risk for those with PD. These series of classes will help you improve your strength, flexibility, posture, balance, and mobility. The Tai Chi movements may be modified as seated, assisted standing, or standing to accommodate participants with a range of functional abilities. Participants must commit to attend MOST sessions in this eight-week series. Dates: Wednesdays from February 7 through March 27, 2024 Time: 1:00 pm Location: Hope Cape Coral Community Room, 2430 Diplomat Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33909 Virtual Option: Held on Zoom RSVP: E-mail Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or Call 239-366-9400 Registration Deadline: January 31, 2024
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 1
Ongoing Exercise and Enrichment Opportunities Advance registration is required for all sessions. Current schedules provided upon registration. Please RSVP by e-mail to Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or call 239-366-9400. PD Exercise Classes In-person: Cape 1 pm M&W Cape 1 pm Tues. & Thurs. Water Estero 11 am M&W Fort Myers 11 am Tues. & Thurs. Virtual: Tues. & Thurs. 11 am BONUS: Mindfulness practice for beginners. 10 am Mon. Monthly Enrichment Groups In-person: Cape WellWay 1 st Wed. Monthly 2 pm Estero 1 st Mon. Monthly 12 pm Fort Myers 1 st Tues. Monthly 12 pm Virtual: Open to all Parkinson participants & family members 3 rd Thurs. 2:30 pm Care Partners 1 st Thursday 1 pm Ladies with PD 4 th Thursday 2:30 pm Our Meeting Locations Hope Cape Coral Community Room • 2430 Diplomat Pkwy. E. • Cape Coral, FL 33909 Hope Bonita Community Room • 27200 Imperial Pkwy. • Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Hope HealthPark Community Room • 9470 Healthpark Cir. • Fort Myers, FL 33908 Cape Coral WellWay • 609 SE 13th Ct. • Cape Coral, FL 33990 Estero Recreation Center • 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. • Estero, FL 33928 Requires an access card; $10 lifetime membership * Note: Jan. 3 rd we return from our winter break 12/22-1/2; ESTERO classes resume on 1/8/23. Do you want to join our virtual classes, but you’re not sure how to use Zoom? This video conferencing tool allows you to talk and see others on your computer, tablet, or phone. We can schedule a private training to show you how easy it is. Write to Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org with a few date/time options of your availability. Mindfulness Benefits for PD The benefits of mindfulness are plentiful for people with Parkinson’s. It can boost feelings of control and resilience, reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep and increase grey matter in the brain. By now, you know that exercise is one of the cheapest, most effective medicines for slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Well, think of mindfulness meditation as exercise for the brain. It helps the mind shed unhealthy thought patterns and builds mental muscle that can make it easier to cope with the unpredictability of life with PD. And, like regular physical activity, mindfulness meditation can serve as the cornerstone for self-care that people with PD can use to manage their symptoms. You are invited to join us via Zoom, Monday mornings and give it a try, no cost and no neg. side effects. To learn more about the benefits of mindfulness for PD visit: https://briangrant.org/how- mindfulness-meditation-helps-parkinsons/
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 2
Did you know? Exercising in the water can improve Parkinson’s symptoms.
Working out in the water gives people with Parkinson’s the freedom to move without fear of falling, do weight-bearing exercise without joint stress, and resistance train without weights or bands. Just simply being in the water can often soothe and relax the body and mind. To learn more visit: https://briangrant.org/exercising-in-water-can-improve-parkinsons- symptoms/#:~:text=Mobility%20and%20range%20of%20motion,of%20motion%20and%20overall%20mobility.
Parkinson Exercise Disclaimers You should consult your physician or other health care professional before starting this or any other fitness program to determine if it is right for your needs. Do not start this fitness program if your physician or health care provider advises against it. If you experience faintness, dizziness, pain or shortness of breath at any time while exercising you should stop immediately. Classes are for our members diagnosed with PD who can ambulate safely without personal assistance. Classes are not a replacement for medical treatment or physical therapy. They are intended as an after or between therapy maintenance program, with the approval of your health care team. Our highest priority is to keep members safe and moving. Group classes may not be suitable for everyone. If you are at a high risk of falls or if your safety is in question, we suggest working one-on-one with a physical therapist specializing in PD. They can help determine when it’s safe for you to return to group classes. We can provide a list of providers who can help. Your insurance may require an order from your primary care or Parkinson’s physician to cover rehabilitation coverage. If cost is a concern, ask us about possible help with co-pays. If space allows, and the class instructor invites Care Partners without PD to attend for safety reasons, you may attend. Care Partners should allow the person with PD to determine what they are willing and able to do. Please, no hands-on corrections. For details, contact Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org.
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 3
PD 101 for Beginners Finding Hope for Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease
If you’re newly diagnosed with PD or a related movement disorder, join us to learn how to manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and optimize your quality of life. We’ll dive deeper into local and national resources before providing an interactive Q&A opportunity to explore all of your concerns. Date: Friday, January 26, 2024 Time: 10:30 am Location: Hope HealthPark Community Room, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908 RSVP: E-mail Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or Call 239-366-9400 Date: Friday, February 23, 2024 Time: 1:00 pm Location: Virtual on Zoom RSVP: E-mail Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or Call 239-366-9400 Quarterly Empowerment Meeting: Words of Wisdom Educational Presentation & Breakout Discussion Groups-(In-person) As usual, our quarterly Empowerment Meeting will be an educational presentation followed by a breakout discussion group meeting. People with PD and care partners will meet separately to connect, encourage, and support each other. This session will feature two engaging speakers, Dennis Tinley and Mary Tinley, who are Davis Phinney Foundation Ambassadors and Parkinson Program members. Mary has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and Dennis is her Care Partner. The couple will share their words of wisdom about living well with Parkinson's disease and navigating the challenges that come with it. Date: Friday, January 19, 2024 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Location: Hope HealthPark Community Room, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908 RSVP: E-mail Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or Call 239-366-9400 Registration Deadline: January 12, 2024 Virtual Educational Event “How Speech Therapy can help with Parkinson’s Speech, Swallowing and Thinking Changes” Guest speaker Zander Mondo, Lee Health Parkinson Speech and Language Pathologist. Time: 3:00 pm RSVP: E-mail Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or Call 239-366-9400 Registration Deadline: March 22, 2024
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 4
‘Early Stage’ PD Dinner Meet at Lazy Flamingo for Our Quarterly In-Person Gathering (Dutch Treat) Enjoy a night out with our ‘early stage’ members who are highly active and have mild PD symptoms. Date: Friday, March 1, 2024 Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Lazy Flamingo at 12951 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33919 RSVP: E-mail Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or Call 239-366-9400 Registration Deadline: February 23, 2024
Saint Patrick’s Day Social Event Don’t Miss Our Virtual Party with Fellow Parkinson Participants
Wear your best green or Irish garb for this virtual social event! We will welcome you to share your favorite Irish wisdom, limericks, or jokes. Bring your own favorite green beverage, and we will toast each other with “ Sláinte !” – which translates to “good health” in English. Date: Friday, March 15, 2024 Time: 1:00 pm Location: Virtual on Zoom RSVP: E-mail Michelle.d.martin@leehealth.org or Call 239-366-9400 Registration Deadline: March 8, 2024
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 5
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 6
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 7
“A Matter of Balance Workshop” Reduce Your Fall Risk with Our Evidence-Based Program
This 8-week workshop can help reduce your fear of falling and increase your activity level. Join us to learn how to view falls – and your fear of falling – as controllable. Set realistic goals for increasing your activity, change your environment to reduce your risk factors, and use exercise as a tool to increase strength and balance. This in-person series is provided at no charge in partnership with the Parkinson Program, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and the Area Agency on Aging. Dates: Wednesdays from February 7 through March 27, 2024 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Location: Hope Cape Coral Community Room, 2430 Diplomat Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33909 RSVP: 866-413-5337 Registration Deadline: January 31, 2024
Provided in Partnership with:
Parkinson Program Newsletter · Page 8
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs