Parkinson’s Disease Wellness Programs at Spaulding Sandwich

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is far more than a movement disorder. It’s a thief. We understand the toll it can take on you and your family. But we also know how to help you take back control and take back your life.

Our Parkinson’s Disease Wellness Programs are designed to enhance the quality of life for persons living with Parkinson’s disease, related movement disorders, and their families. Conducted by clinicians with specialized expertise in neuro-rehabilitation, our wellness programs are an important complement to Spaulding’s multiple levels of care, allowing us to tailor services to meet your individual needs.

Spaulding's Approach to Parkinson’s Disease Wellness Programs

Our comprehensive approach to Parkinson’s disease includes intensive inpatient rehabilitation, comprehensive outpatient therapy and physician services, adaptive sports, and wellness programs.

Healthy Mindset Parkinson’s Disease Program

Healthy Mindset is designed to facilitate understanding of PD, support adjustment, and enhance quality of life for persons living with PD and their partners. The program explores common psychosocial aspects of PD and promotes strategies to enhance well-being in the face of serious illness.

Self-pay program; however, health insurance may cover a portion of it. Initial evaluation required for patients and partners. For information and to register, contact (508) 833-4102.

High Intensity Training for Parkinson’s Disease

Designed and piloted in 2015 by a group of therapists at Spaulding Orleans, High Intensity Training for Parkinson’s Disease (HIT-PD) offers those in the early stages of PD an intensive training program to reduce the impact of symptoms and possibly slow the progression of disease. HIT-PD is based on emerging research on the importance of early moderate to vigorous intensity exercise and physical therapy in preventing secondary complications of PD. Exercises are designed to improve aerobic fitness, quality of gait, muscle strength, mood, fatigue and cognition.

Participants meet for 90-minute sessions twice weekly for six weeks at a gym in Chatham. Currently HIT-PD is offered five times per year. Spaulding therapists experienced in treating Parkinson’s disease conduct the program.

Self-pay program. Free screening required prior to joining the program. For information, registration, contact Spaulding Orleans Outpatient Center at (508) 240-7203.

Parkinson’s Disease Wellness and Exercise Program

The Spaulding Outpatient Centers in Sandwich, Plymouth, and Orleans and their community partners offer the Parkinson’s Disease Wellness Program for persons with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. The six-week program is conducted in collaboration with Boston University and is based on research that shows that specific rehabilitation strategies can improve independence and quality of life for those with Parkinson’s disease. The program is appropriate at any stage of the disease.

The Parkinson’s Wellness Program emphasizes education, exercise, self-management strategies, and peer support. Therapists with extensive training in neuro-rehabilitation teach exercises to improve strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, posture, and verbal communication. It’s hard work that delivers positive results.

Classes meet for 90 minutes twice weekly for six weeks. Self-pay program. Free screening required prior to joining the program.

For information and to register, contact:

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandwich – (508) 833-4078
Spaulding Framingham Outpatient Center – (508) 872-2200
Harwich Community Center, conducted by Spaulding Orleans Outpatient Center – (508) 240-7203
Duxbury Senior Center, conducted by Spaulding Plymouth Outpatient Center – (508) 927-7424

Rock Steady Boxing Cape Cod

Developed in 2006 and offered in multiple states across the country, Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) improves quality of life by adapting elements of training for boxers to the unique needs of people with Parkinson’s. Exercises address four hallmark features of Parkinson’s: rigidity/stiffness, postural control, tremor, and slowness of movement (bradykinesia).

Through a carefully planned sequence of progressive exercises, boxers improve balance, agility, endurance, posture, and voice. Classes meet twice weekly for 12 weeks at a gym in Sandwich with sessions running consecutively throughout the year. Spaulding therapists certified in RSB lead the 90-minute sessions. In addition to functional improvement, RSB participants appreciate the camaraderie of striving with peers and the motivating power of therapists who are passionate about the program.

Self-pay program. Screening required prior to joining the program. For information and to register, contact (508) 833-4197.

Read the Rock Steady Boxing flyer (PDF) >

Vibrant Voices

Vibrant Voices is an interactive speech exercise group for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Led by a licensed speech and language pathologist certified in LSVT® (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment), the program engages participants in voice exercises to increase audibility and articulation while improving overall communication skills. The program is for people who have completed LSVT® and is held once a month at Harwich Community Center.

Free screening required prior to joining the program. Nominal fee. For information, registration, contact Spaulding Outpatient Center Orleans at (508) 240-7203.