Struthers Parkinson’s Center is widely known for its comprehensive approach to assessing and treating people with Parkinson’s disease. “This disease can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Medications are important, but some symptoms of Parkinson’s are not managed well with them. Our care team can help with other options when medications are not effective. Struthers Parkinson’s Center has a 30 year history of using a team approach to help people live better with Parkinson’s,” says Joan Gardner, a registered nurse with Struthers Parkinson’s Center.

What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder that interferes with the smooth, coordinated movement of the body’s muscles. Initial symptoms include tremor, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness and changes in posture. People with Parkinson’s also may experience depression as an initial symptom. Parkinson’s symptoms increase over time. With progression, symptoms can cause increased challenges with day to day activities, impaired balance and muscles to stiffen and “freeze,” especially when walking.

For some, Parkinson’s can affect more of the body’s muscles, resulting in fixed or blank facial expressions, swallowing difficulties and soft, mumbled speech. It also can affect thinking, memory and mood. These symptoms and their progression vary greatly from one person to another.

Patients at center of comprehensive team
“Knowledge is power, and we want our patients to understand the progression of their disease and have a role in managing its symptoms,” Gardner says. “We encourage patients to see themselves as a member of their care team and take an active role by communicating their concerns and needs. 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 that help them to be as independent as possible.”

All patients are encouraged to come in for the center’s daylong assessment, whether newly diagnosed or living with Parkinson’s for several years. “Since the disease has no cure, our care plans focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life,” she says. All team members below are committed to helping patients (and families) live better with Parkinson’s.

• Neurologists specialize in conditions of the nervous system. At the center, all neurologists are movement disorders specialists. They prescribe medications and monitor patients’ responses to them. They also may recommend various types of therapy.
• Nurses are very involved in education and coordinating care. “When people understand their disease process and learn to live well with its symptoms, it’s better for everybody,” Gardner says.
• Music therapists help patients in many ways. They use music to help patients relax and have a more restful night’s sleep. Singing can help patients strengthen their voices and raise their spirits.
• Physical therapists help patients maintain large motor skills, such as walking. Goals often include improving balance and coping with “freezing.” Therapists 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. They can also help explore hobbies, leisure activities and energy conservation techniques to help improve quality of life.
• Speech therapists help patients increase their voice volume and improve short term memory. They also help evaluate and treat difficulties swallowing pills or food.
• Social workers help patients, caregivers and family members cope better with chronic disease and the stress that can result from living with a chronic illness. They also locate community resources to help families accommodate patients living at home.

Deep brain stimulation
As the disease progresses, the medications neurologists prescribe may lose their effectiveness in controlling bothersome Parkinson’s symptoms. Some patients may be candidates for deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS), another treatment option for Parkinson’s. “DBS can help some people with Parkinson’s improve their quality of life, but it’s not for everyone. We use a team approach to carefully evaluate each patient,” Gardner explains.

Beyond Parkinson’s
Living with a chronic illness like Parkinson’s requires 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 play a very important role in therapy, too.”

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