Are you ready to express your BIG movements and LOUD voice during the month of April for PD awareness? This April, organizations around the world join forces in raising awareness for those living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
It is a special time when we come together to acknowledge those living with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers, educate the public about PD’s array of symptoms that can affect everyday life, and emphasize the importance of exercise and early recognition for an improved quality of life.
Take action and get involved! From fitness classes and challenges to educational seminars and expert webinars, there’s a wealth of opportunities.
Voice Your Support with LSVT LOUD®
For individuals with PD, speech disorder can be a challenging aspect of daily life. Voice can become soft and difficult to understand by others. That’s where LSVT LOUD, also known as Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, steps in.
This specialized voice treatment program involves one-hour sessions with speech language pathologists, conducted four days per week, for four consecutive weeks. LSVT LOUD aims to improve volume of voice with a single focus of increasing amplitude of voice. In this month of April, THINK LOUD with all your communication!
Looking for a little inspiration to “Think LOUD” this month? “Think Loud for Parkinson’s disease” was inspired by the LSVT LOUD therapy sessions that helped Ian Grant support and repair his speech following his Parkinson’s diagnosis. It is a foot-stomping, rousing, soulful, pop-rock track complete with backing from a full gospel choir and a chorus that you can’t help but sing along to.
Move Boldly with LSVT BIG®
Parkinson’s doesn’t just affect speech; it also brings on movement symptoms like tremors, muscle stiffness, small and slow movements plus walking and balance issues. For many PD patients, these movement challenges can prove daunting. But there’s a solution: LSVT BIG!
This program is designed to tackle these movement symptoms head-on. Like its vocal counterpart, LSVT BIG is a specialized program that aims to increase amplitude to improve movement symptoms and enhance the lives of those affected by PD by “THINKING BIG”. So, let’s all move BIG together this April and take Parkinson’s head-on!
This program is designed to tackle these movement symptoms head-on. Like its vocal counterpart, LSVT BIG is a specialized program that aims to increase amplitude to improve movement symptoms and enhance the lives of those affected by PD by “THINKING BIG”. So, let’s all move BIG together this April and take Parkinson’s head-on!
How do you access LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG treatment?
It’s simple. People with Parkinson’s can find LSVT LOUD for voice treatment and LSVT BIG for movement treatment through referrals from their primary care providers or Parkinson’s specialists. Locate a clinician on our FIND LSVT CLINICIANS tool on our website. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and take that step towards better movement and communication today!
Engaging Activities to Show Your Support for the PD Community
Parkinson’s Awareness Month is more than just understanding the disease; it’s about stepping up and taking part in engaging activities that demonstrate your support for the PD community and increase awareness.
Host or Join a Local Event
Local events provide a fantastic platform to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease within the Parkinson’s community. Take the ‘Moving Day’ community walks, for instance. These events, held in cities around the country, offer an opportunity to spread knowledge about PD while keeping fit and enjoying the company of others.
Unable to get out to a local event? Virtual events are also a great way to support Parkinson’s Awareness Month. You can join initiatives like ‘Moving Day @ Home’ which enables everyone to join in awareness events, no matter where they are.
LSVT Global FREE Webinars
LSVT Global provides a wide variety of free community on demand webinars and LIVE webinars to learn more about Parkinson’s and related diagnoses, LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG treatments and other great resources and tools available to this community.
Special LIVE LSVT hosted webinars in April for Parkinson’s month:
StrivePD: Your Parkinson’s Care Companion: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 2:00-3:00pm PM EDT
Enhancing Clinic Revenue and Patient Satisfaction through an Effective RTM Program: Monday, April 22nd, 2024 8:00-9:00 PM EDT
Navigating Freezing Challenges in Parkinson’s: Harnessing the Power of LSVT Treatments for Improved Speech and Movement: Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 2:00-3:00 PM EDT
Did you miss the LIVE webinar? All webinars are recorded and available on demand at a later date. Access all of our on demand webinars to learn more!
Sharing Stories
Personal stories can be a powerful tool. They humanize the diagnoses and help to forge stronger connections with the Parkinson’s community. By sharing your experiences with PD, you’re offering a sense of community and mutual understanding that can be immensely therapeutic. Whether it’s your own journey with PD or that of a loved one, your narrative can inspire and comfort others in similar situations.
Celebrating Care Partners
Behind every individual with Parkinson’s disease is a care partner, a person integral to their wellness. These individuals undertake crucial responsibilities, from attending medical appointments to managing their loved one’s care and fostering clear communication.
Open communication about the diagnosis can alleviate some of these challenges and foster growth within the relationship. It’s a journey of strength and resilience, and we celebrate every care partner for their unwavering support. Utilize these LSVT resources for caregiving tips and support!
World Parkinson’s Day: A Global Call to Action
Every year on April 11th, we observe World Parkinson’s Day. World Parkinson’s Day is a global call to action. It’s a pivotal moment to galvanize international efforts to address the challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease. As we stand together, we can make a world of difference in the fight against PD. On World Parkinson Day, here are just a few ways to get involved!
Join the Sit 2 Stand Challenge! On April 11, 2024 join individuals and organizations from around the world in the commitment to stand up to Parkinson’s Disease by collectively completing 2,000,000 Sit to Stands in 24 hours! Keep track of your individual or group sit to stands and log them on April 11th HERE! Share your success with #standup2pd and #sit2stand.
Parkinson’s Around the World 24 hour Live Stream: PD Avengers will broadcast live for 24 hours on Parkinson’s topics through their YouTube channel with sharing videos, music and more! *The Live Stream starts at Noon in New Zealand, which is 2am London on April 11. In North America it is April 10 at 5p PDT and 8pm EDT.
Spark the Night BLUE for Parkinson’s: PD Avengers. On World Parkinson’s night, April 11th, 2024, buildings and bridges around the world will be lit in blue in honor of PD awareness. Share your photos and help spread the world with #SparkTheNight .
Wellness and Self-Care for the PD Community
Living with Parkinson’s Disease requires extra attention to wellness and self-care, not just for individuals with PD, but also for their care partners. A variety of support groups and exercise programs are available to assist in maintaining wellness.
Exercise and Physical Well-being
Exercise plays a vital role in managing Parkinson’s disease. It not only improves physical aspects like gait, balance, and muscular strength but also reduces the severity of motor symptoms.
Moreover, regular exercise contributes to better brain health, emotional well-being, and improved cognitive function. By engaging in long-term, group exercise programs, individuals with Parkinson’s disease can experience significant benefits for their physical and mental health, enhancing their quality of life.
LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG graduates can engage in community based or virtual group exercise classes upon completion of their one-on-one therapy. Learn more about LSVT for LIFE® today!
Summary
As we wrap up, it’s clear that Parkinson’s Awareness Month is more than just a month; it’s a movement. From joining specialized programs like LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG, to participating in local and global events or advocating for better patient care, there are countless ways to make an impact. Whether you’re living with PD, a care partner, or simply a supporter, every action counts. So let’s keep the ‘Spark’ burning brightly, not just in April, but every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is big and loud therapy for Parkinson’s?
LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG are therapeutic approaches for Parkinson’s. LSVT LOUD focuses on improving speech and voice function, while LSVT BIG aims to increase movement size for better balance and daily function.
How can you raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease?
You can raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease by promoting awareness through social media, sharing your personal story, submitting a letter to the editor of your local paper and more. Get involved and spread the word!
What role do care partners play in managing Parkinson’s disease?
Care partners play a crucial role in managing Parkinson’s disease by attending medical appointments and fostering clear communication with healthcare providers. Their support is essential for the well-being of individuals with PD.
How can exercise benefit individuals with Parkinson’s disease?
Exercise can benefit individuals with Parkinson’s disease by improving communication and physical aspects like gait, balance, and muscular strength, reducing the severity of motor symptoms, and contributing to better brain health and emotional well-being. So, incorporating regular exercise into their routine can have a positive impact on their overall well-being.