Discovery and hope in the midst of disease is a goal of the CREATE Programs at Struthers Parkinson’s Center. “Parkinson’s disease can take away so much from patients and families. But the center offers programs that enrich patients physically, mentally, spiritually and socially,” says Sandi Holten, a music therapist at Struthers Parkinson’s Center. Club CREATE accomplishes this by focusing on patients’ abilities — not their disabilities.

A fulfilling, rewarding program
Club CREATE is a therapeutic adult day program offered at Struthers Parkinson’s Center. The name is an acronym for “Center for Research, Educational, Artistic and Therapeutic Endeavors.” Services are available five days a week, and everyone with Parkinson’s disease is welcome. When patients are at Club CREATE, their caregivers can enjoy some needed respite.

Club CREATE offers a variety of artistic and creative outlets; relaxation and meditative programs; and movement and exercise opportunities. “Our classes and programs often address a variety of goals within a session. For instance, music therapy may creatively offer components of movement, relaxation and self expression,” Holten says.

Activities satisfy diverse needs and interests
Clients are provided with options of enriching programs from which they can choose to participate. These include gardening, photography, painting, drama and music. “When patients are really engaged in something they truly enjoy, they report that their symptoms subside. I’ve seen this many times, and it’s an amazing thing to observe,” Holten says. (To learn more about Club CREATE patients and gardening, read the Star Tribune article, “Program seeds a path to healing,&rdquo or see its slide show, “Green thumb therapy.”

Other fun yet therapeutic offerings include “Speech Boosters,” a weekly program that helps improve speech functioning, and CREATE Singers, a community group that uses singing to address vocalizing techniques. “Within Club CREATE we have put on full-blown musicals that provide opportunities to improve physical function, voice function and provide another chance to express self.” Holten says. Add discussion groups, some of which are led by a chaplain, exercise programs, including adaptive yoga and tai chi, and massage therapy, and you can see how Club CREATE can accommodate patients’ unique interests.

Meeting patients’ personal needs
While at Club CREATE, patients receive assistance with their personal needs. This may include help with lunch, transferring from wheelchairs or taking medications. Other care services are provided for an additional fee.

Club CREATE also offers a wide range of support programs for patients, families and caregivers, including one for those affected by atypical Parkinson’s disease and one for those facing early-onset of the disease.

The center offers a variety of educational programs. To learn more about them, read “Leading the way by educating others.”

“Perhaps the greatest thing we offer our patients is a sense of belonging. For many patients, Club CREATE becomes their new social circle. It’s great for them to have new friends and be in an environment outside of their home, where others truly care about them and understand their needs,” Holten adds.

To learn more about Club CREATE, call 952-993-5495, or visit Struthers Parkinson’s Center.