The Parkinson Foundation’s Moving Day
Walk, stretch, dance and celebrate. Americans of all ages and fitness levels are invited to join in National Parkinson Foundation Moving Day events to raise awareness and funds to fight Parkinson’s disease. An estimated 1 million people in the United States and up to 10 million worldwide are living with this neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects body movement. Millions more family and friends are part of a caring Parkinson’s disease network that includes Moving Day walks for Parkinson’s.
While there is not yet a cure for Parkinson’s disease, medications, therapies and surgical treatments are slowing symptoms. Moving Day highlights movement and exercise, which help improve balance and mobility in people with Parkinson’s. Each Moving Day event features music, food, and short, family-friendly walk routes in a festival atmosphere. A signature Movement Pavilion hosts join-in sessions of yoga, Pilates, tai chi, noncontact boxing, dance and other exercises that are proven to manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Right at Home, a leading provider of in-home care and assistance for seniors and adults with disabilities, is in its seventh year as a National Hope Partner of the NPF’s Moving Day events. “Right at Home and the National Parkinson Foundation share a commitment to improve the quality of care and quality of life for the people we serve,” said Valerie Cadenhead of Right at Home Central Arkansas.
“Throughout the world, Right at Home cares for Parkinson’s disease clients, and we provide their families with support such as respite care. Moving Day is a great opportunity for Right at Home senior care services to help raise funds for Parkinson’s patients in local communities.”
Funds from Moving Day help the NPF provide local services and programs to Parkinson’s patients. Since its launch in 2011, Moving Day has raised more than $14 million for Parkinson’s research and care. Originating with three walks, Moving Day has grown to 23 events nationwide in 2017; almost 40 events are anticipated in 2018. Throughout 2017, an estimated
20,000 people across the country will unite with the NPF and Right at Home in Moving Day activities. Upcoming 2017 Moving Day events will be held in:
• Buffalo, N.Y. — Sept. 10.
• Columbus, Ohio — Sept. 24.
• North Carolina Triangle — Oct. 1.
• Rochester, N.Y. — Oct. 1.
• Boston — Oct. 14.
• Chicago — Oct. 15.
• Atlanta — Oct. 21.
• Los Angeles — Oct. 28.
• Dallas-Fort Worth — Nov. 4.
• Boca Raton, Fla. — Nov. 5.
• Miami — Nov. 12.
Some 600,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the United States each year, and the majority of these individuals are over age 60. As the world’s aging population continues to increase, Parkinson’s is also expected to climb substantially. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary with each person; however, the following are common signs of Parkinson’s.
Primary motor symptoms
• Tremors or shaking at rest.
• Slowness of movement, known as bradykinesia.
• Stiffness or rigidity of limbs and trunk.
• Impaired coordination or balance.
• Non-motor symptoms.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Constipation.
• Bladder problems.
• Loss of energy, fatigue.
• Cognitive slowing, memory issues.
Other warning signs of Parkinson’s disease may include stooping or hunching over, a soft or low voice, loss of smell, masked face or loss of facial expression, small handwriting, and dizziness or fainting.
The NPF provides resources and staff to help train Right at Home teams in care specifics and in providing professional, compassionate support for Parkinson’s patients and their families. The training addresses nutrition, medications, speech and swallowing, and managing advanced Parkinson’s disease.
The NPF raises funds for research programs including the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, the largest Parkinson’s disease clinical research study, covering 10,000 patients in four countries.
For more information about Moving Day and organizing a walk team, visit NPFMovingDay.org or call your local Right at Home office at 501-321-4962. The NPF also offers a toll-free Parkinson’s disease helpline at 800-4PD-INFO (4734636) and additional resources at parkinson.org.