People with Parkinson’s disease and their families often travel great distances to seek care from Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Struthers Parkinson’s Center. The reason? The center is nationally recognized for its 30-year history of providing comprehensive care.

“Medications are an important component in treating Parkinson’s, but some symptoms are not well managed by them,” says Joan Gardner, a registered nurse with Struthers Parkinson’s Center. “When medications are not effective, our comprehensive care provides other options to enhance patients’ quality of life – at every stage of the disease.”

What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder that interferes with the smooth, coordinated movement of the body’s muscles. The most recognized motor symptoms include tremor, muscle stiffness, slowness of movement and changes in posture and balance. Patients also can experience a wide range of non-motor symptoms, such as blank facial expression; low voice volume; decrease in hand or finger coordination; fatigue; depression; anxiety; and changes in thinking and memory.

Symptoms vary from person to person and become more severe over time. Some symptoms, especially impaired balance, stiff muscles and “freezing” when walking, can challenge daily activities.

Comprehensive care important at every stage
The most effective treatment goes beyond taking pills and involves the entire Parkinson’s care team. “Research indicates that how a Parkinson’s diagnosis is given, and how patients understand what Parkinson’s is and is not has a significant impact on their quality of life,” Gardner explains.

The FOCUS program (Finding Options for Care, Understanding and Support), developed at Struthers Parkinson’s Center, is open to anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the past year, plus their family members and friends. FOCUS provides information on a variety of topics that emphasize wellness and overall management.

Patients can be referred to the comprehensive care team at every stage of the disease. In the early stages, the team teaches patients about the disease and helps them adopt a proactive lifestyle that includes regular stretching and aerobic exercise, and strategies to enhance voice volume and conserve energy. The team also encourages patients to take up leisure interests and develop strategies for coping and adjusting.

As Parkinson’s progresses, the rehab team provides education and support, especially when symptoms do not respond to medications. In middle to later stages, the team helps patients cope with balance concerns, falls, freezing, communicating, remembering, swallowing, managing personal care or locating community resources.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
DBS is a treatment option for people with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders, such as essential tremor and dystonia. As these conditions progress, medications may become less effective in controlling bothersome symptoms. “DBS can help improve the quality of life of some people with movement disorders, but it’s not for everyone,” Gardner explains.

When the neurologist refers patients for DBS, the center’s entire team evaluates them. They assess medication responsiveness with an “on/off” evaluation. They also consider patients’ balance, memory and the involvement of their support system.

After surgery, patients may be required to make multiple visits to the center for programming the stimulators and adjusting medication. They also may be referred to the multidisciplinary team for concerns with walking, speech, coping or managing activities of daily living. The center also offers classes quarterly for those considering DBS.

Daylong team assessment benefits patients and families
It is important for patients and families to be active members of the care team – at all stages of Parkinson’s. Whether they are newly diagnosed or have been living with Parkinson’s for several years, patients are encouraged to come for the center’s daylong assessment. Since the disease has no cure, care plans focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

“Parkinson’s creates barriers in people’s lives, and we want to help them overcome those barriers by focusing on their strengths and learning strategies to help them be as independent as possible,” Gardner explains. All team members are committed to helping patients and families live better with Parkinson’s.

• Neurologists specialize in conditions of the nervous system. At the center, they also are movement disorders specialists. They prescribe medications, monitor patients’ responses to them and may recommend various therapies.

• Nurse practitioners work with center neurologists to help coordinate long-term management. They also may see patients independently, write prescriptions and order tests and rehab therapies.

• Nurses often serve as case managers and coordinate the Parkinson’s care team. They are very involved in education and have ongoing communication with the patient and family between clinic visits. They also are a link between patients and families, the doctor and others on the care team.

• Music therapists use music to help patients relax and have a more restful night’s sleep. Singing also can help patients strengthen their voices and raise their spirits.

• Physical therapists help patients maintain large motor skills. Goals often include improving balance and coping with “freezing” when walking. They also help patients transfer into and out of cars, chairs and beds.

• Occupational therapists help patients work on fine motor skills, such as writing, eating and other activities of daily living. To help improve patients’ quality of life, therapists also help them explore hobbies and leisure activities and develop energy conservation techniques.

• Speech therapists help patients increase their voice volume and improve short-term memory. They also help evaluate and treat difficulties with swallowing pills or food.

• Social workers help patients, caregivers and family members better cope with chronic disease, and the stress that can result from it. They also locate community resources to help families accommodate patients living at home.

• Chaplains offer spiritual and emotional care and support. They also help patients and families move forward in their lives with Parkinson’s disease.

Beyond Parkinson’s
Living with a chronic illness such as Parkinson’s requires having a positive attitude, adapting day to day and being prepared for the future. When coping with Parkinson’s, it is helpful for patients to have other areas of interest – beyond the disease. “Yes, the disease must be recognized and managed, but we have found that patients cope better when they can focus on friends, family and hobbies,” Gardner says. “They can be very therapeutic, too.”

To learn more about the comprehensive care at the center, call 952-993-5495, or visit Struthers Parkinson’s Center.