Aug. 23, 2016 Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News Gladine Stirman throws a beanbag through a hoop during the Parkinson Wellness Recovery program Wednesday at the Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, physicians say medication and a rigorous rehabilitation program can help many patients maintain a reasonably high quality of life. The problem is that many of the people diagnosed with the progressive nervous system disorder don't always follow through on rehab, perhaps because of a lack of equipment at home or a lack of motivation to work out on their own. After Bonnie Hayashi, a neurologist at Hendrick Medical Center, noticed that with some of her patients, the observation became the genesis of the idea to start the new Parkinson's program at Hendrick. "Dr. Hayashi noticed that her patients would regress," said Maxi Kirk, outpatient rehab manager at Hendrick. The Parkinson's program, called Parkinson Wellness Recovery, incorporates exercise as well as physical therapy, cognitive exercises and speech therapy in three one-hour sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. The program is administered by Susan King, a rehab fitness associate, and Linda Spencer, a physical therapist. Some of the symptoms of Parkinson's is a shuffling gait, caused by a shortened stride, and tremors, sometimes on one side of the body. Parkinson's can also affect speech and cognitive ability. PWR!Moves was developed by Becky Farley, an Arizona physician, with exercises designed specifically for Parkinson's patients. Although an estimated 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with the movement disorder each year, according to the Mayo Clinic, no one knows why some people get it. The disease is the subject of a massive amount of study.. "There's been a ton of research done on it," Kirk said. "We know what the symptoms are going to be, and if it's diagnosed early, we can work on the symptoms before they develop." Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News Elaine Smith punches a speed bag Wednesday during the Parkinson Wellness Recovery program at the Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. King said the program's exercises focus on big movements and on improving the ability to turn. The exercise program includes about 10 stations "and we work on specific things at each station," King said. "We incorporate boxing ... I want everyone to feel challenged." Another focus of the exercises is stairs, which can pose a challenge for some Parkinson's patients. In some cases, people with an upstairs bedroom may have to move to a bedroom on the first floor if their disease progresses too much, Kirk said. Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News Don Conrad does an exercise with a medicine ball during the Parkinson Wellness Recovery program at the Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. The cool down involves tai chi, the Chinese martial art that is practiced for defensive training and for its health benefits. The population most at risk for Parkinson's disease is older men, according to the Mayo Clinic. King said members of her class range in age from their early 70s to their late 80s. Three-quarters of them are men. Kirk said King and Spencer make the class enjoyable for the patients. Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News Susan King, a rehab fitness associate, leads the Parkinson Wellness Recovery program Wednesday, at the Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. "Susan has a very upbeat program," she said. Physicians are consulted on the program, and Spencer monitors patients' improvement to make sure patients aren't regressing. Kirk said illnesses that cause patients to be bedridden for any length of time can set back a patient's progress. The program also encourages family members to attend the workouts both to observe and to exercise along with their loved one. "We do have family members who come and participate or watch," King said. "We like to get feedback." Another problem often faced by Parkinson's patients is depression. Participating in the program can help with that, King said. "Just being part of the group helps," she said. "They encourage each other. Just to be around other people who are going through the same thing helps." http://www.reporternews.com/lifestyle/health/hendrick-offers-rehab-program-for-parkinsons-patients-3a48a657-1d57-05a3-e053-0100007f691a-390778871.html