Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease or other movement disorders are encouraged to attend “Delay the Disease” exercise classes at Mennonite Memorial Home at no charge.
The home is located at 410 W. Elm Street, Bluffton. Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. in the chapel.
According to Tricia Herrmann, RN, the program is designed to empower those living with Parkinson’s disease by optimizing their physical function and helping to delay the progression of symptoms. Herrmann is a certified Delay the Disease instructor and will lead the classes.
Developed by Ohio Health, Delay the Disease can help participants:
- Move about with ease and confidence in a crowd
- Get out of bed or rise from a chair independently
- Improve handwriting
- Dress independently
- Diminish worry that stiffness, slow steps and other symptoms are obvious
- Regain a sense of moving with normality
“We’ll not only work on flexibility and balance, but on voice projection, fine motor skills, posture, initiation of movement and facial freezing,” added Herrmann.
A referral from a physician is required and if falling has been an issue, for safety reasons, a participant would need to be accompanied by someone during the classes. Our class can also accommodate those in wheelchairs.”
Those interested can start classes anytime. To register, contact Herrmann at 419-358-1015, ext. 221 or [email protected]
