Parkinson’s disease is topic for December’s Medical Monday, Thriving Thursday
Dec. 4, 2024 -- Each year, nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). By 2040, that number is expected to double as the condition becomes more prevalent because of an aging population and increased life expectancy.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative
disorder that causes a gradual loss of dopamine-producing brain
cells, a chemical necessary for movement, memory, and mood. PD is the second-most common neurodegenerative
disease after Alzheimer's.
Andrew
Spoljaric, MD, Reid Neurology Associates, will present on Parkinson's disease
for December's Medical Monday and Thriving Thursday. During the discussion, Dr.
Spoljaric will focus on PD's signs, symptoms,
prevalence, and treatment.
Also during
Medical Monday, Reid Community Health will be on-site with health resources
related to Parkinson's.
One program is Reid Health's Rock Steady Boxing, a non-contact rehabilitation program that helps to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease through exercise. Rock Steady Boxing in the Reid Fitness department is supported by the Pro's Players FORE Parkinson's golf tournament and a community grant from the Parkinson's Foundation. Rock Steady Boxing is offered in Richmond and Connersville. To learn more about Rock Steady Boxing, visit https://www.reidhealth.org/rock.
Medical Monday
is at 1 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Central United Methodist Church, 1425 E. Main St. in
Richmond. Thriving Thursday will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 12 at the Fayette
County Senior Center, 477 N. Grand Ave. in Connersville.
Both events are
free to attend. To register, call Sharrie Harlin at
(765) 983-3000, ext. 4676.
Medical Monday
and Thriving Thursday are supported by Reid Health Community Benefit. Harlin
started Medical Monday when she was working for the Minority Health Coalition
and maintained it after joining Reid Health. The events have loyal followings,
averaging 40 to 50 guests each month to learn about various health issues,
community programs, and health screenings.