In the wake of comedian Robin Williams’ death, Parkinson’s disease – along with its associated depressive characteristics – is at the forefront of many individuals’ minds, particularly those with aging family members.
Last year, to help combat the symptoms and promote senior health, the City of Dublin added “Delay the Disease” to its repertoire of senior programming at the Dublin Community Recreation Center, and the class is thriving.
“We’ve seen a big difference between the first class and just a few weeks later,” says Ann Mascotti-Bowman, case manager at Ideal Home Health Care, one of the program sponsors. “They come in withdrawn, quiet and low in participation. They then open up and become part of the group. Things we may take for granted, they may have trouble with, but now they do things like get in and out of cars and the shower a lot easier.”
The class is based on an exercise program founded by David Zid and Jackie Russell in the 2007 book Delay the Disease: Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease. It is presented with the assistance of Mascotti-Bowman, HomeWell Senior Care’s Emily Jones and center staff instructor Mary Curtis
“As we get older, our balance deteriorates,” Curtis says. “But if you can stand on one foot, you can stand on two, so we practice the flamingo stance. Practice yields permanence.”
One purpose of the class is to ensure independence among sufferers of Parkinson’s and other degenerative diseases. As Parkinson’s progresses, handwriting becomes difficult, making signing checks and writing letters nearly impossible. Program participants work on writing big letters to preserve that ability.
Common characteristics of Parkinson’s disease also include a lack of facial expression and small steps.
“One thing we emphasize is size,” Curtis says. “Typically, your movements get really small. From muscles in your face, to how you speak, to handwriting, to the steps we take – everything gets small. So we take big steps and count as loud as we can. They feel silly at first, taking huge steps and shouting.”
But the class members take their strides in pride and have fun with the activities, conversing and making friends throughout their time together. One particular exercise they favor is squats.
“The squat allows you to live independently for your entire life – getting out of a booth or a car and standing up gets easier. It’s OK to have a big bucket, as long as it’s strong,” Curtis says, with a laugh.
The class meets once a week and each course is broken up into multi-week segments throughout the year. Members are urged to continue to exercise and stretch at home.
One participant who has seen great improvement is Dublin resident Doris Eccles. Since her diagnosis three years ago, she has dedicated herself to fighting the disease naturally, and the class has been a big help.
“I was diagnosed in July of 2011 and I qualified for a deep-brain surgery implant, but that troubled me,” she says. “I decided I would, instead, try with exercise and diet. I had rated 25 on their scale of severity at the time; I’m down to 9 now. It’s reversing the progress of the disease for now.”
Now, she exercises at least 30 minutes a day and walks on the center’s track a few times a week.
“I’ve never been inactive – I’m an ADHD kid,” Eccles says.
One symptom commonly associated with the disease is tremors, or the uncontrollable shaking of limbs. Eccles and other members of the Dublin chapter of Delay the Disease have noticed either a significant decrease in or outright elimination of this symptom.
The program – which enrolls patients with Parkinson’s and other degenerative diseases, along with patients’ spouses – almost never started.
“We tried to offer it back in the spring of 2013, but we had to … charge for it for the instructor, and nobody signed up,” says Wanda Kamler, senior adult program supervisor. “We were able to get two sponsors: HomeWell Senior Care and Ideal Home Health Care. They pay for the instructor and provide two assistants, so there is no charge for the people in the class.”
And some of those assisting with the program have a personal investment with the disease.
“My grandfather had Parkinson’s and we were very close, but couldn’t do too much for him,” Mascotti-Bowman says. “We didn’t have a program like this. We’re thankful and excited that Wanda was open to letting us help. Depression does go along with the disease, so we work with not just the physical aspects, but the whole-person experience. They laugh and smile. They’re not a walking disease. They may have a disease, but they have the power to make things better. I just wish my grandfather had this opportunity.”
For more information or to sign up for the class, contact Kamler at 614-410-4559. The next classes begin Oct. 17.
Stephan Reed is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Keep it Movin’
Dublin Recreation Center hosts a vast array of senior programs
For seniors looking to remain active, the Dublin Community Senior Citizens organization offers many opportunities to keep moving, learning and meeting new people.
The organization orchestrates classes, social outings and functional fitness courses, among a plethora of other opportunities.
“Dublin takes care of its seniors,” says Wanda Kamler, the senior adult program supervisor. “A lot of the programs have enhanced lives and they all seem to keep growing in attendance. (Our seniors) have proven that they can thrive on their own, whether it’s socially or physically.”
The 850-member organization hosts computer basics classes, the Arthritis Foundation’s aquatic exercise program, beginner tai chi courses, yoga lessons for all experience levels and more.
“The yoga classes are very popular,” Kamler says. “We’re adding a new gentle yoga course that’s mainly geared toward someone who may have just had surgery or any other issue.”
For more information on the organization and a full list of programs and activities, visit www.dublinohiousa.gov/recreation-services/dublin-community-senior-citizens or contact Kamler at 614-410-4559.
Great Grandparents
To get an idea of the priorities of Dublin seniors when it comes to family, particularly grandchildren, we conducted a survey at the Dublin Community Recreation Center.
What follows is a smattering of responses we received from seniors in the community.
What is your favorite thing to do with your grandchildren in Dublin?
Hockey, swimming lessons and games. –Norman L. Monska, 83
Fishing, Jeni’s ice cream, eating out and cookouts. –Helen Formet, 94
Go to school activities and sporting events. –Penny Limerise,70
Have a pizza party. –Kate Benson, 90
Describe your favorite holiday tradition:
White elephant Christmas, feeding homeless Thanksgiving. –Linda Stevenson, 64
One of us dons the traditional Santa hat and passes out presents one at a time. Our traditional Christmas dinner is fondue (beef, shrimp and chicken). But the absolute best is that we’re all together! –Willie and Mel Ehrlich, 71
Topsail Beach, N.C. – fun week at the beach. –Linda Sommer, 87
Going to Scioto Country Club for dinner (no cleanup needed), then head to son’s in Arlington to open gifts and play games. –Shirley Vannatta, 75
