Physical Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
The Southeastern Center for Parkinson Disease partners with community healthcare organizations to provide excellence in rehabilitative care. The goals of a neurological rehabilitation program include helping the individual to return to the highest level of function and independence, and improving the overall quality of life for that individual - physically, emotionally, and socially. A typical neurological rehabilitation program helps to accomplish and/or may include the following:
- assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, dressing, bathing, using the toilet, handwriting, cooking, and basic housekeeping
- speech therapy (to help patients who are having trouble speaking, expressing their thoughts, or swallowing; to improve speech patterns, enunciation, and oral communication, in general)
- counseling (to deal with anxiety and depression)
- bladder and bowel retraining
- activities to improve control and muscle balance in the trunk, pelvis, and shoulder girdle
- an exercise program (to improve function, safety, and efficiency of movement; to prevent or postpone weakness caused by lack of use; to manage spasticity and pain; to maintain range of motion; to develop the maximum potential of muscle, bone, and respiration)
- social skills retraining
- gait and balance retraining
- nutritional counseling
- involvement in community support groups
- activities to improve cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment
- education regarding the disease and disease process
- goal setting (short- and long-term) involving the individual and family members.