This article was contributed by Parkinson’s Foundation.
On August 17th, The Parkinson’s Foundation hosted a free educational program for over 250 guests consisting of people with Parkinson’s, their care partners and family members, healthcare professionals, and businesses supporting the Parkinson’s community. The program, titled “Living With Parkinson’s: Mind, Mood & Motion,” taught guests about some of the cognitive, emotional, and movement symptoms that can come with Parkinson’s. Guests heard from top healthcare providers in the state about advancements in treatments and care and connected with local wellness classes and support groups in order to live their best life with Parkinson’s. Expert speakers included Dr. Dawn Bowers, Neuropsychologist at UF Departments of Neurology and Clinical & Health Psychology, and Dr. Mitesh Lotia, Movement Disorder Neurologist at AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute.
“The biggest take-away message from the event was the importance of regular exercise for people living with PD,” said Kelly Sivyer, Development Manager.
For those with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living. Research shows that exercise and physical activity can not only maintain and improve mobility, flexibility and balance but also ease non-motor PD symptoms. In order to build awareness and celebrate movement, The Parkinson’s Foundation will be hosting the very first “Moving Day The Villages, FL”, an inspiring and empowering fundraising walk that supports life-changing care and research, on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at The Villages Polo Club. To register to walk or volunteer, visit MovingDayTheVillagesFL.org.
The Parkinson’s Foundation thanks the dedicated volunteers, speakers, panelists, sponsors and donors that helped make this impactful program possible.
Whether you are newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or have been managing it for years, The Parkinson’s Foundation is here to help you. To get connected with local resources or find a future event near you, visit Parkinson.org/Florida.
About the Parkinson’s Foundation
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. We are the nation’s leading community for people living with Parkinson’s, those who love them and those who are working to end the disease. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $425 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. We welcome thousands of people with Parkinson’s and their care partners to our educational and fundraising events each year. Our Florida Chapter provides free programs and services to thousands of Florida residents each year. There are estimated to be 63,000+ people living with Parkinson’s disease in the state of Florida. Learn more about our Chapter’s impact. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone.