Parkinson's Disease and Other Movement Disorders

More than 1.5 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease*

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, impacts motor skills, speech and cognition, including the ability to understand, recall and express information. Often characterized by the presence of tremors, PD may present a wide range of challenges including: 

  • Limb rigidity or stiffness 
  • Posture and balance problems
  • Slowed movement
  • Fatigue 
  • Speech/swallowing impairments
  • Mood swings 
  • Memory loss
  • Difficulty writing

At Kessler Rehabilitation Center, our experienced therapists offer a comprehensive program of physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapies to enhance the physical abilities, communication skills and emotional well-being. We also offer targeted care for people with other neurologic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke and brain injuries.

What our comprehensive programs mean for you

Kessler Rehabilitation Center offers a scope of services to help people with PD and other neurologic conditions:

  • Improve or maintain function
  • Increase vocal strength, loudness and clarity
  • Maximize overall health and quality of life

Our highly specialized programs include:

  • Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!). Large amplitude, high effort exercises are performed in multiple postures such as standing, sitting and on the floor to help slow disease progression, improve symptoms and restore function. Patients will be given a daily home exercise program to maintain abilities gained during in-center care.
  • SPEAK OUT!® concentrates on speaking with intent and transforming speech from an automatic function to a purposeful act.

You can find SPEAK OUT!® programs at our outpatient rehabilitation centers located on Kessler’s Saddle Brook and West Orange, New Jersey campuses. SPEAK OUT!® was developed by the Parkinson Voice Project.

Our physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists provide specialized and individualized care to help you live your best life.

*American Association of Neurological Surgeons

 

Speech therapist with patient

THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Speech therapist with patient

What is SPEAK OUT!?

We are proud to partner with the Parkinson Voice Project, developers of the SPEAK OUT! therapy regimen. The SPEAK OUT! program typically consists of 12 speech therapy sessions and daily home practice. Together, the patient and speech-language pathologist (SLP) complete speech, voice and cognitive exercises using a specialized Parkinson Voice Project workbook. SPEAK OUT! emphasizes speaking with intent and converts speech from an automatic function to an intentional act. Upon completion of the SPEAK OUT! program, patients usually transition to weekly SPEAK OUT! Groups to provide skills maintenance and are a source of fellowship for participants. To learn more about SPEAK OUT! and the Parkinson Voice Project, we encourage you to visit its website at www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org.

Providing treatment for the whole patient.