Though RHCI has provided inpatient rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease since opening, the new Parkinson's Center for Comprehensive Care and the ongoing Parkinson's Wellness Program mean those suffering from this progressive neurological disease have access to multiple levels of treatment to manage symptoms and improve daily life.

"We're treating the entire spectrum of disability, from those facing minor issues to those with severe issues that threaten their independence," says David M. Lowell, M.D., Neurologist and RHCI Medical Director. "With the right mix of medical and therapy services, keeping people safe and in their homes with their families is realistic for many."

RHCI's holistic approach to treating PD addresses problems with swallowing, speaking, writing, cognition and memory, dressing and other self-care tasks plus familiar symptoms of tremors, stooped posture and difficulty walking. As a neurologist who is also board-certified in psychiatry, Dr. Lowell is well versed in treating personality changes, hallucinations and depression that plague many with PD.

For the person with Parkinson's who has suffered a decline or lost function due to pneumonia, urinary infection, medication interaction or other event, inpatient rehabilitation can mean the difference between staying at home and admission to a nursing home. "Our experience is that a short course of intensive inpatient rehab can significantly improve function and quality of life," says Dr. Lowell. "At RHCI we have the advantage of being able to monitor neurological status around the clock and obtain daily feedback from nurses and therapists. This allows us to adjust therapy for better results and also to educate the patient and family about safety and other strategies to use at home," he adds.

The patient living in the community can access services at the PD Center, beginning with a complete neurological evaluation and medication review plus screening for depression, behavioral changes, and impaired mobility and activities of daily living. Dr. Lowell and Dawn Lucier, PT, Neuro-education Coordinator, conduct evaluations at RHCI's Parkinson's Center each Wednesday. Pending results, patients may be referred to RHCI's inpatient PD Program, the short-term Trial Admission Program, outpatient therapy, medical follow-up, psychological services, and RHCI's Community-based Parkinson's Disease Wellness Program.

The PD Wellness Program is a six-week exercise, education and support program RHCI offers in collaboration with Boston University, where the program was developed by nationally-known researcher Terry Ellis, PT, PhD. To assess the program's effectiveness, therapists evaluate walking speed, balance and quality of life indicators at the beginning and end of the series.

For more information, visit www.rhci.org (search Parkinson's Disease) or call the Parkinson's Center for Comprehensive Care at (508) 833-4160