Exercise

 

Exercise is the one therapy that has proven to slow the rate of progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

For those living in The Villages, there are numerous alternatives for exercise. The weekly “The Villages Recreation and Parks” publication lists many. The publication may be picked up at any of The Villages recreation centers or, if one subscribes to The Villages Daily Sun Newspaper, it is in each Thursday’s edition. Look under Exercise, Dance, Bicycle, Chair Volleyball, Pickleball, Yoga and Zumba.

There are also nearby neighborhood swimming pools and many golf courses.

For those early in their PD progression, some of these activities may be suitable.

How much exercise is appropriate? The following from The Parkinson’s Foundation provides guidance.

 

For those who would benefit from exercising with others that have PD, there are several Support Groups that focus on exercise. These are open to both those that reside in The Villages as well as those who live nearby.

 

There are nearby health clubs that offer PD exercise programs for those able to do standing exercise and for those that need to be seated while working out.

One example of a health club organization with PD programs is Genesis Health Clubs. They have programs at their Brownwood site, The Villages Brownwood – Genesis Health Clubs Florida, and at their Spanish Springs site, The Villages Spanish Springs – Genesis Health Clubs Florida.

Health clubs require a membership fee. The fee may be covered by one’s health insurance. Check around to see which clubs honor your insurance. PD-specific exercise programs may require an additional fee that may or may not be covered by insurance.

There are many YouTube videos on-line that feature exercises for those with Parkinson’s disease. There is a PD Channel that is hosted by a person who has the disease. She has a lot of interaction with PD people in The Villages. She posts many useful exercise videos as well as interviews covering subjects of general interest, such as the “Aware in Care Hospital Kit“, a Parkinson’s tune-up in a rehabilitation hospital, and a one-hour interview with a couple that lives in The Villages where they discuss their 25-years of experience with the disease.

Click here to check out the Owl Parkinson’s YouTube channel.