Maturity Journal 5.18

May 2018 Page 23
es so that you can provide your
Neurologist or Movement Disorder
Specialist with the best picture of
what is happening to you in order
to determine which prescriptions
might work best to alleviate specific
symptoms of PD.
Q: As a person with Parkinson’s
disease, how do you maintain your
positive attitude?
A: Knowledge, like maximizing
my physical health via exercise,
quality nutrition/diet and timing
proteins to let my medicine absorb
better. I am as active as possible and
am willing to change and try new
options and push myself.
Q: In Parkinson’s disease circles,
people talk about the importance
of “living well today.” What is your
favorite way to “live well today?”
A: Ask myself what can I do
today and go do it — and keep on
moving! I am personally thankful
every day for having such a wonderful
spouse.
Q: What advice would you give
caregivers or family members as to
the best ways to help a loved one
with Parkinson’s disease “live well”?
A: Time. Create a memory or
moment by sharing a conversation,
a story, a joke, an “old school” tale,
an outdoor activity, a picture, a
walk, a smile or a meal. If/when the
caregiver’s burden starts to be too
much, reach out for help to family,
friends, social services and/or PD
groups. Ask for a break and reset
yourself whenever the opportunity
arises.
In Evansville, people with
Parkinson’s disease have many
Parkinson’s-specific exercise programs
from which to choose. There
are exercise classes at Deaconess
CrossPointe, St. Vincent Wellness
Maturity Journal
Center, the Southwest Regional
Council on Aging, Deaconess
HealthSouth Rehabilitation
Hospital, and the YMCA. The
schedule and description for YMCA
Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s
is available on the web at www.
ymcaswin.org. The schedule and
description for the other classes is
listed below.
Delay the Disease – Classic*
Mondays 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Deaconess Cross Pointe
and Thursdays 3:00-4:00 p.m.
St. Vincent Wellness Center
Requires prescreening prior
to registration. (812) 297-8658.
Delay the Disease – Chair Based
Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Southwestern Indiana Regional
Council on Aging
Open to all persons with Parkinson’s
disease (812) 492-7435
Delay the Disease –
Balance and Stretch
Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 p.m.
St. Vincent Wellness Center
Requires prescreening prior to
registration. (812) 297-8658
Parkinson’s Disease Exercise
HealthSouth Deaconess
Rehabilitation Hospital
Open to all persons with Parkinson’s
disease (812) 437-6181
Requires prescreening prior to
registration. (812) 297-8658
The cost of Delay the Disease
is $95 for a 12-week session. The
cost of the classes at HealthSouth
is $30 per month. However, scholarships
are available for all classes
listed above. Those with financial
need can request a scholarship at
registration. Scholarship requests are
confidential. Caretakers are welcome
to participate in the exercise classes
at no cost.
If you or someone you know
is affected by Parkinson’s disease,
there are many resources available
to you. Start exercising immediately
or add another exercise opportunity
to your regular schedule. Visit the
Parkinson’s Awareness and Support
Association of the Tri-State website
at www.pasats.org or call (812)
297-8658 if you would like more
information about activities of the
support group. Get to know the
other people involved in the local
Parkinson’s community, and find
new and better ways to “live well
today”! MJ
Man is not old until his
regrets take the place
of his dreams.
(Yiddish proverb)