Question

Describe a type of group (counseling, educational, physical exercise or activity, nutritional, support, etc.) that you would initiate for Parkinson’s(PD) patients as an intervention. The type of group you choose will be varied, but is intended to assist the PD patients be as independent as possible. You may not personally lead the group, but coordinate with other professionals.

An in-depth explanation of the disorder (etiology, patho, clinical manifestations) at an 8th grade educational level.

Characteristics of the group including those of its members (e.g. early/late onset; family or patients only; cognitive/physical function, etc)

An explanation of why this type of group would be effective.

One challenge you may encounter when working with this group

One strategy you could use to address the challenge

Answer 1

A physical exercise and activity group for Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients would help maintain independence and mobility by improving strength, balance, and coordination. Tailored activities could manage symptoms and slow progression, with adjustments made for individuals' varying abilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

I would initiate a physical exercise and activity group for patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The nature of PD involves a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, leading to issues with movement and muscle control, such as tremors, stiffness, and balance problems. Common signs include a shuffling walk and, in later stages, cognitive impairments like memory loss and dementia.

Members of the exercise group would vary in age and stage of disease but would be focused on maintaining independence and mobility. The group might include those with early or late onset PD, and sessions would be tailored to accommodate both cognitive and physical functionalities.

The effectiveness of this group stems from evidence that regular physical activity can improve motor symptoms in PD patients. Exercises would be designed to enhance strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, which can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

One challenge in working with this group might be the varying degrees of mobility and cognitive function among participants. A potential strategy to overcome this could be to implement customized modification of exercises for individual needs, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.