April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public understanding of the disease and supporting those affected by a neurological disorder.
In honor of Parkinson’s awareness, The Kensington White Plains is proud to introduce the THRIVE program, designed specifically for residents living with Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders.
Our comprehensive care program focuses on a holistic approach while partnering with Thermodynamics, a local physical, occupational, and speech therapy group to support residents through their Parkinson’s journey.
In this article, we’ll discuss Parkinson’s disease, highlight our THRIVE program, and provide an in-depth look into our enhanced assisted living license that provides a higher level of care than traditional assisted living communities.
Key symptoms and challenges of Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the neurons responsible for controlling movement and coordination. It’s the second most common neurological disease after Alzheimer’s.
Over time, the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells leads to motor symptoms such as tremors, slowness of movement, dyskinesia, the rigidity of limbs, postural instability, and loss of balance.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive disorder that gradually affects a person’s ability to walk, move, and care for themselves over time.
The benefits of exercise for Parkinson’s
The American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) emphasizes the importance of exercise for people with Parkinson’s to maximize health and maintain their independence.
Regular exercise, along with physical and occupational therapy, can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Exercise can increase strength, mobility, flexibility, and balance, reduce stiffness, and improve coordination.
THRIVE with Parkinson’s care program
The Kensington White Plains has developed a comprehensive Parkinson’s care program, THRIVE with Parkinson’s, to help residents living with PD and movement disorders such as multiple sclerosis and ALS.
THRIVE is an acronym that encompasses the program’s core principles.
Therapeutic
The THRIVE program provides various therapeutic activities and treatments that contribute to the overall well-being of residents with Parkinson’s.
Holistic
THRIVE takes a holistic approach, addressing the physical, emotional, social, and mental aspects of each resident’s life.
Revitalizing
The program helps residents maintain their energy levels, improve mobility, and regain a sense of vitality.
Inspiring independence
THRIVE encourages residents to maintain their independence as much as possible, with personalized support when needed.
Vocally vibrant
The program includes speech therapy and vocal exercises to help residents communicate effectively and maintain vocal strength.
Empowering
THRIVE empowers residents and their families by providing education, resources, and support to make informed decisions about their care.
THRIVE program workshops and special services
The Kensington’s THRIVE program offers a variety of workshops and special services designed to promote physical health, provide emotional support, and engage our residents in activities to improve their well-being, such as:
Physical health
Kensington residents can participate in wellness classes and body movement programs, such as yoga, tai chi, and dance, which are designed to increase strength, flexibility, and balance.
Emotional support
Creative journalism, expressive arts and support groups allow residents to express their feelings, share experiences, and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Activities
Music therapy and mindfulness meditation sessions help residents enhance their cognitive abilities, reduce stress, and create a sense of serenity.
Specialized equipment
Our program includes access to specialized movement and wellness equipment, such as the Alinker walking bike, which helps assist with mobility and promote independence.
Specially trained team members, programs, and new technology
The Kensington White Plains team, including our medical technicians, have all received specialized training to ensure they can provide timely and effective support to our residents with Parkinson’s.
Theradynamics Rehabilitation Programs
Our rehabilitation programs include physical, occupational, and speech therapy delivered by certified professionals with experience helping individuals with movement disorders.
Certified professionals and specialized techniques
Theradynamics Rehabilitation employs certified specialists trained in Parkinson’s care, including APTA Neurologic Certified Specialists (NCS) on-site.
These specialists use evidence-based techniques such as:
- SPEAK OUT! AND LOUD Crowd programs for speech therapy
- Lee Silverman Voice Technique (LSVT BIG) for physical therapy
- Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) for overall wellness.
Vitality Fit technology
Our physical rehabilitation team incorporates Vitality Fit technology, which is an innovative system designed to treat balance, coordination, cognition, and reaction and response timing.
The Kensington White Plains’ enhanced assisted living license
Our community is an enhanced assisted living residence (EALR), which allows our community to provide a level of care that goes beyond what is typically offered in assisted living communities.
With our specialized license, The Kensington White Plains can ensure residents continue to receive comprehensive care, even as their health needs change over time.
Our enhanced assisted living license features:
- Allows residents to “age in place,” while adapting to their changing healthcare needs
- Accommodates a wide range of requirements, such as wheelchair-bound, feeding tubes, wound care, and more
- Individualized care approach
- Assisted living and two dedicated memory care neighborhoods
- Strong clinical staff on-site, including a Physician’s office, Director of Nursing, and a Wellness Director
- Comprehensive care services
Caregiver burnout and how The Kensington can help
Caring for your loved one with Parkinson’s can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining at times.
Caregiver burnout, or fatigue, is a common phenomenon that occurs when the demands of providing care become overwhelming.
Signs of caregiver burnout can include feelings of exhaustion, irritability, depression, and a decline in personal health.
The Kensington White plains offer a solution to alleviate caregiver burnout by providing a supportive environment where your loved one can receive expert care tailored to their needs.
By entrusting The Kensington to care for your loved one, you can:
- Ensure comprehensive care
- Obtain peace of mind
- Benefit from professional support
- Maintain personal well-being
- Access resources and support with Kensington Konnect, an online hub for caregivers
- Stay updated on senior living and health by following our blog page
The Kensington White Plains’ commitment to residents and families with Parkinson’s disease
The Kensington White Plains is an enhanced assisted living and memory care community located in White Plains, New York.
Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to residents and their families affected by Parkinson’s.
Our commitment is evident through our comprehensive THRIVE program to improve the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s. We extend our Kensington Promise to love and care for your loved one as we do our own.
If you’re a caregiver of a loved one with Parkinson’s disease, we invite you to explore how our THRIVE program can make a positive difference in your loved one’s life.
Reach out for more information about our specialized services and learn how The Kensington White Plains can help you and your loved one navigate the challenges of Parkinson’s together.