KAUKAUNA, Wis.(Feb. 12,2024) — St. Paul Elder Services (SPES), a community dedicated to enriching the life experience of the individuals it serves, is expanding its community-based services to include a second Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) class. PWR!, a Parkinson’s-specific exercise program, works to improve neuroplasticity and slow the progression of the disease by focusing on large movements to target four critical skills the disease attacks:
- Antigravity extension
- Weight shifting
- Axial mobility
- Transitional movements
PWR! is offered weekly on Mondays with a seated session from 1-2 p.m. and a standing session from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Hoffman Memory Care Resource Building at St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna, located at 221 E 13th Street (map). Each session costs $10 with an instructor-to-participant ratio of 1-to-6. All necessary equipment will be provided, and local transportation is available.
The PWR! Program, which is the first of its kind in the Fox Valley, is led by Ali Mischler, who has more than 13 years of experience caring for residents and patients at SPES. Mischler is a licensed physical therapist assistant certified in Parkinson Wellness Recovery.
“These classes have been designed to work on participants’ functional motor skills like getting in and out of the car, walking or grabbing something from the cabinet,” Mischler said. “It’s been very inspiring working with everyone and seeing the class be at capacity week after week.”
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity and slow, imprecise movement. A study published by the National Library of Medicine shows that physical activity can improve symptoms for patients with Parkinson’s Disease and those who have maintained physical activity have seen a decrease in pain associated with the disease, prolonged independent mobility and improvements in sleep, mood and memory.
To sign up for PWR!, call 920-766-6020 ext. 187 or email shannad@stpaulelders.org. To learn more about St. Paul Elder Services visit stpaulelders.org.
