CHI - St. Joseph's Health - MN

C HI St. Joseph's Health is helping those with Parkinson's move and live better through our new Parkinson's Exercise & Wellness Program. Although CHI ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH PARKINSON'S EXERCISE & WELLNESS PROGRAM HEALTH BENEFITS Improve walking ability and balance Improve sensorimotor, cognitive, mobility, balance, flexibility, and overall functional abilities Learn to speak more loudly and become more body-aware Optimize brain health and protection Alicia Reardon PWR!Moves Certified Instructor Deanne Kivi PWR!Moves Certified Instructor there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, it can be managed. "We knew there was a need for an exercise and wellness program for people with Parkinson's, so we developed the Parkinson's Exercise & Wellness program—a research-based, integrative exercise and wellness program," says Alicia Reardon, CHI St. Joseph's Health Physical Rehabilitation and Fitness Center lifestyle counselor and certified exercise physiologist, cancer exercise trainer, and PWR!Moves instructor. "The program launched in May, and it's growing quickly." Research-based integrated exercise and wellness programming is necessary to counteract the inactivity, motor deterioration, and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The hour-long, twice-weekly classes incorporate station work, breathing exercises, and functional activities needed for everyday tasks. The classes focus on slowing the disease through four movements: Posture and alignment Trunk (or core) rotation Transitioning Weight shifting "By targeting these basic movements, participants can help slow the progression of the disease," says Deanne Kivi, OTR/L, CHI St. Joseph's Health Physical Rehabilitation and Fitness Center occupational therapist and certified PWR!Moves instructor. "They also learn what it feels like to move at their full potential, and that's a very powerful thing." People who sign up for classes go through an initial evaluation so the instructors can check baseline skills, including walking, balance, range of motion, and social and cognitive skills. "Exercises involving big, fast movements are key for people with Parkinson's," Reardon says. "We provide an encouraging and fun environment where participants are motivated to engage in activities that can have a big impact on retaining functional ability." Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30–9:30 am, at CHI St. Joseph's Health Lower Level Conference Room A. To schedule an intake interview or learn more about the program, call 952.486.2231. Pictured (Back Row, L–R): Joane; Phoebe; Dick and (Front Row, L–R) Deanne Kivi, PWR!Moves Certified Instructor; Ralph; and Alicia Reardon, PWR!Moves Certified Instructor A Life-Changing Workout for People With Parkinson's Exercise is medicine. That's true for everyone, but it's especially true for people with Parkinson's. WWW.CHISJH.ORG | CHI St. Joseph's Health 3

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