A Community Based Wellness Program for People with Parkinson’s Disease
Springfield Jewish Community Center
1160 Dickinson Street
Springfield, MA 01108
For more information, contact
Debra Ellis, PT at (413) 695-6069.
The Jewish Community Center of Springfield is partnering with Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University to offer a Community Based Wellness Program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Debra Ellis, MS PT, NCS, a licensed physical therapist specializing in neurologic physical therapy.
What kind of a program is this and how can it help you?
The Community Based Wellness Program is one that is designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s Disease living in the community learn to manage their health more effectively in order to improve day-to-day function and quality of life. Under the guidance of a licensed physical, occupational and speech therapist, participants will learn exercises and a problem solving approach to managing daily mobility, self-care and communication issues which often interfere with function and quality of life.
Each session will last 1.5 hours and will consist of group exercises to improve mobility and communication and practice of functional activities such as walking, rising from a chair, and handwriting. Instruction on strategies to improve functional tasks will be tailored to meet the needs of each individual with Parkinson’s disease. Written information and pictures are included in a participant’s manual to help individuals learn the exercises and strategies and apply them at home and in the community.
If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Debra Ellis, PT at 413-695-6069.