The Kensington White Plains is proud to offer specialized Parkinson’s care for current residents as well as complimentary wellness classes for the greater community.

Our THRIVE with Parkinson’s is a program for new and current residents with movement disorders with their family members.

THRIVE stands for:

• Therapeutic
• Holistic
• Revitalizing
• Inspiring Independence
• Vocally Vibrant
• Empowering

We have partnered with leaders in the field of movement disorders to create a program involving weekly on-site and virtual classes and educational events. 

This education focuses on:

• Physical health
• Opportunities for emotional support
• Activities that improve posture, balance, strength, circulation, muscle control, and mobility
• Mindfulness, breathing and relaxation

What does ‘THRIVE with Parkinson’s’ include?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement, balance, and coordination.

While medications can help manage the symptoms, exercise and other therapies can help seniors improve strength and balance, reduce tension and anxiety, and support mental health.

Our exclusive movement disorders program for current residents includes:

• Wellness classes at least 5 times per week
• Body movement programs such as Wellness, THRIVE PWR, Tai Chi, THRIVE Music Therapy & Movement, and THRIVE Dance
• Strive to THRIVE Holistic expression using Creative Journal Expressive Arts(™) methods
• Music therapy with a board-certified music therapist (drumming, vocal, and movement exercises)
• Vocally Vibrant Gym for vocal production, strengthening, projection, pronunciation exercises
• Mindfulness and meditation
• Specialized movement and wellness equipment such as Alinker walking bike
• Specially trained team members, including a dedicated medical technician for timely delivery of medications
• Ongoing educational events, guest lectures, and resources for residents and families

Parkinson’s disease also can result in difficulty speaking and chewing.

Through our partnership with Theradynamics Rehabilitation, we are able to offer the following physical, occupational, and speech therapy programs delivered by certified professionals:

• SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd!®
• APTA Neurologic Certified Specialists (NCS) on-site*
• PWR!® (Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery)
• Quantifiable Functions Neuromuscular Assessment Intervention (QFNA) technology for assessment and treatment of balance, coordination, reaction and response timing, cognition, and more

If you or a loved one are experiencing the symptoms of a movement disorder or have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, The Kensington White Plains is here for you.

Offering Complimentary Wellness Classes for Individual with Parkinson’s & Their Caregivers

We are proud to partner with local experts in the field of Parkinson’s care to offer complimentary classes open to the public.

• 1st Friday of the Month: Parkinson’s Communications Club with Burke Rehabilitation
• 3rd Friday of the Month: Movement for Parkinson’s Class
• CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & RSVP

What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain called neurons. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. 

As Parkinson’s progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease 

While the specific group of symptoms that an individual experiences varies from person to person, primary motor signs of Parkinson’s disease include the following: 

• Tremors
• Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement
• Dyskinesia, or uncontrollable, involuntary movement
• Rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk
• Impaired balance and coordination

Parkinson’s disease is progressive, meaning symptoms will get worse with time. 

Signs of advanced Parkinson’s include: 

• Difficulty walking
• The person becomes wheelchair- or bed-bound
• Assistance is needed with all daily activities (eating, bathing, dressing, etc.)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dementia and significant memory loss
• Hallucinations or delusions

Eventually, those with advanced Parkinson’s will be unable to live alone without around-the-clock care and assistance.

How exercise helps those with Parkinson’s

The American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) recommends exercise for those with Parkinson’s as a way to maximize health and independence. 

The Kensington White Plains provides our residents with a variety of exercise and wellness programs through our partnership with Theradynamics Rehabilitation. 

Our on-site wellness programs are designed to fit all cognitive and fitness levels of our residents. 

Specifically for Parkinson’s residents, we’re looking to assist with the following:

• Increase strength and mobility
• Relieve stiffness
• Increase balance and coordination

Experts believe regular exercise and physical therapy are important for mobility and balance, while occupational therapy can provide strategies for maintaining independence. 

Through on-site rehabilitation services provided by Theradynamics, residents with Parkinson’s have access to the following:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Exercise physiology
• Functional assessments
• Falls and balance assessments

What makes The Kensington White Plains different?

The Kensington White Plains takes senior care to the highest level possible. 

Our community is unique in that we’re one of the communities that have an enhanced assisted living license, which allows us to provide a full spectrum of care and support for true “aging in place.” Not all senior living communities are guaranteed to have this distinction, and others that do may not use it to the fullest extent that we at The Kensington do. 

We provide a caring and supportive environment that offers residents personalized services tailored to their specific needs and abilities.

Some senior living communities are unable to care for residents with advanced Parkinson’s disease, including residents who have difficulties swallowing or those in the late stages of dementia.

We are equipped to partner in caring for seniors with no care needs to those who have extremely high care needs, including residents who need a pureed diet or feeding tube or those with late-stage dementia.

Our team has a higher caregiver-to-resident ratio and receives specialized training, so we’re able to provide the comprehensive assistance and support our residents with Parkinson’s disease require.

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We’re Certified Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care

What is caregiver burnout?

If you’re a caregiver for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease, it can feel scary or overwhelming to understand the progression of the disease and to wonder how to manage their care at each step.

You are not alone.

Caregiver burnout is a real and common problem among those who are caring for a loved one with a chronic and progressive disorder. 

It’s a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that can occur in those responsible for the long-term care of another person.

Symptoms of caregiver burnout include:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Withdrawal
• Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
• Sleep deprivation
• Irritability
• Getting sick more frequently

Caregivers often neglect their own needs in order to care for their loved ones, or feel guilty when taking time for themselves and their needs. This contributes to the feelings of intense overwhelm and stress.

When to seek additional support

As your loved one’s care needs progress, there may come a time when caregiving becomes too much physically, emotionally, or even financially.

That’s where we come in.

When you decide to seek additional care and support for your loved one, you aren’t “giving up.” You’re doing the most loving act of service you can provide by offering them access to a higher level of care and support.

The Kensington White Plains is a community of caregivers. We understand the challenges family caregivers face, and we believe that you should never have to shoulder the burden alone.

Our team is here for you, and we are dedicated to the long-term care of those with movement disorders including Parkinson’s.

When you move your loved one into our enhanced assisted living community, you are reclaiming your role as a child or spouse and allowing our team to provide the loving, expert care we are equipped to provide.

Reach out today to schedule a call or a visit to our community so we can discuss in detail all that we can do for your family.

What resources are available to me?

The Kensington White Plains offers our residents and their families access to numerous resources through our expert partnerships, including:

• Full calendar of educational events, workshops, and caregiver support groups
• Blog with information on our programs, events, and the latest news, treatments, and updates in senior health and wellness
• Text updates and resources via the Kensington Caregiver Club
• Kensington Konnect hub of entertaining, informative, and fun resources for caregivers, seniors, and families to enjoy

Contact us today to learn more about our caregiver resources and events.

Additional resources

We also recommend the following organizations for the latest news, research, training, and educational resources:

• The Parkinson’s Foundation
• Burke Hospital Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation
• NY Presbyterian Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders
• Montefiore Einstein Center for the Aging Brain
• The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
• The Mount Sinai Beth Israel Movement Disorders Center
• Northwell Health Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center
• Mayo Clinic Parkinson’s Disease Care
• NYU Langone Health Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders

Parkinson’s disease FAQs

The Kensington White Plains: Your partner in Parkinson’s care and support

If you or a loved one have just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or suspect you have the symptoms, it’s important to craft a care plan to help loved ones navigate the progression.

Whether you are just beginning the search for Parkinson’s care or are ready for move-in, The Kensington White Plains is here to support you and honor your journey.

We will be with you every step of the way as you navigate all that is to come.

To learn more about how we can help you and support you on this journey, schedule a call today.

Feel free to also check out our suites and floor plans, and read through our testimonials from families just like yours.

We can’t wait to welcome you into our community and share with you Our Promise in action.