The New Year is here and it brings new programs to the Central Florida area! Florida Hospital’s Parkinson Outreach Center has not one, not two, but three new programs. Living Out Loud, What’s Shakin’? and COPE are offering a wide variety of support and education for all ages and stages of Parkinson’s disease.
Living Out Loud is a new voice therapy group for those who have completed the LSVT Loud speech therapy program and would like to work on maintaining skills. This class is offered monthly on the third Tuesday from 1:00 to 1:45 pm at Florida Hospital Church. This program does have a fee of $75 dollars from a twelve-month session that equals out to $6.25 a class. The payment is payable at the beginning of the program.
For those who have children or grandchildren between the ages of 9-13 who has a parent or grandparent with Parkinson’s you should consider this fun new program. What’s Shakin’? is a drama therapy group for children and provides a fun and interactive laughter therapy to help children understand the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Each class gives children a chance to express themselves in a fun and safe way using metaphor, skits, art, drama games and more. What’s Shakin’? is led by a registered drama therapist and Parkinson’s disease specific social worker. The program will be offered quarterly starting on February 2 at 6:00 pm. Registration is required and can be obtained by calling the Parkinson’s Outreach Center (407)-303-5295.
Care Optimally Parkinson Education for Caregivers, or also referred to as COPE class is a new education program. This caregiver education program prepares you for your journey navigating medication, doctors, as well as managing your own needs and stress is important to providing the best care possible for your loved one. COPE is also a support group and offers individual counseling sessions on a short-term, as-needed basis. The program is offered at various locations and times. Registration is required before attending.
For more information on other programs through Florida Hospital’s Parkinson Outreach Center see the 2017 Guide to Parkinson’s Empowerment Programs.