When Exercise is the Best Medicine
By Donna RudolphDelay the Disease is a nationally-recognized fitness program that uses exercise to empower people to not just control, but in many cases, reverse the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Now, Carlyle Place residents can receive the benefits of this evidence-based fitness program that provides hope and empowerment to those dealing with the effects of this disease.
Recently, two members of the Carlyle Place staff, Susan Bankston, Director of Resident Life, and Patti Kunselman, Fitness Assistant, traveled to Columbus, Ohio for a Delay the Disease weekend certification program. Personal trainer David Zid, the program’s founder, developed this specialized exercise program in response to watching some of his clients deal with the challenges of a Parkison’s diagnosis.
Zid led the training along with his co-founder, Jackie Russell, RN. On day one of the training, Russell gave a complete overview of the disease and its symptoms. The second day featured Zid leading a class demonstration featuring an individually sequenced exercise regimen designed actually to change brain chemistry to achieve optimum results.
Clinical studies have shown that when participants perform a specific sequence of exercises which includes a warm-up, cardio to achieve targeted heart rate levels, followed by skill-based activities, brain chemistry can be altered resulting in slowing the degenerative effects of Parkinson’s.
A training highlight for Bankston was sitting down for lunch with participants and listening to them discuss their personal experiences and results. The people in that particular exercise class ranged in age from late 40’s to late 80’s and brought unique perspectives to a disease that can have vague and non-specific symptoms making its diagnosis challenging.
The thing that resonated with me is that this exercise program offers hope. It’s difficult for someone to hear and accept their diagnoses. This program gives them an opportunity to empower themselves and work to slow the degenerative process.”
Now that Bankston and Kunselman are both fully certified in Delay the Disease, they are eager to bring its benefits to Carlyle Place residents. Residents living with Parkinson’s at Carlyle Place have already been participating in exercise programs, and Bankston has reported seeing some improvements. However, now that the exercise program will meet Delay the DIsease standards, she is eager to reassess the residents and see how their progress improves even more.
Currently, Delay the Disease classes are offered twice a week. For more information on this program, please contact Susan Bankston at bankston.susan@navicenthealth.org
