Care Resource staff completes Parkinson’s treatment certification

EAST PROVIDENCE — A new therapy program at Care Resource, an East Providencebased home health agency, home care and medical supply company serving patients throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, is helping patients with Parkinson’s disease to improve function and slow motor deterioration through exercise in the home setting. The therapy will reduce the incidents of patient falls in the home and, as a result, prevent Emergency Room visits and hospital admissions.

Four Care Resource’s physical and occupational therapists have recently completed certification in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG method, a proven protocol for inhome Physical and Occupational Therapy developed in the late 1980s. The LSVT BIG method certifies therapists in major motor skills training to help Parkinson’s patients improve their walking, movement of the arms and legs, and balance. BIG training involves the patient using “big” movements with repetition and varying complexity.

According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive movement disorder with symptoms that continue and worsen over time. There is no cure and one can only manage its symptoms. Common symptoms include shaking of the hands and legs, slowness of movement, rigidity of the limbs and trunk, and impaired balance and coordination. Individuals with Parkinson’s typically have trouble walking.

“One million people currently have Parkinson’s disease in the U.S. and, unfortunately, its prevalence is expected to double by 2040,” states Bernard A. Lambrese, CEO of Care Resource, LLC. “This new treatment we offer is intensive and can only be administered by certified therapists. Patient outcomes are astounding in achieving marked improvements in gait, range of motion, strength, fall reduction, and more. It is our goal to improve the quality of life for all who suffer from this disorder and who wish to reap the benefits of this novel treatment right in their own homes. Falls often lead to ambulance rides, so any time we can provide a therapy that reduces the risk of falls in the home, we can help avoid ER visits and hospital admissions.”

LSVT BIG treatment involves 16 rehab sessions in one month over 4 consecutive days per week. All one-hour sessions are direct with the therapist and daily homework exercise is required to be completed by the patient in addition to the session. A“tune-up” is planned every 3-6 months based upon individual needs of the patient to ensure continuity.

Care Resource clinicians who recently completed the LSVT training course certification held in Worcester, Mass. include Physical Therapists Julie Polseno – a Lincoln resident – and Andres Mazo (Providence resident); Occupational Therapist Lyndsey Rosario (Seekonk, Mass. resident); and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Cora Freelove – a Chepachet resident). Two clinicians who were certified earlier this year are Physical Therapy Assistant Jeff Hilton, of Burrillville, and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Kristina DiMaio (Cranston resident).

Care Resource has partnered with Phillips Lifeline, the largest medical alert provider in North America, to monitor high risk homecare patients with Parkinson’s. Through this affiliation, Care Resource will offer patients the Lifeline personal emergency response service free for 60 days. This wearable device features an automatic fall detection alert to provide access to help 24/7 even if the patient cannot push the button for assistance.

For more information on Care Resource’s www.carereLSVT BIG therapy program, visit sourcegroup.com

or call 401-431-0200 or 774992-7068.