TULSA, Okla. — Saint Simeon’s Senior Community, an independently owned and operated community in Tulsa, has opened a new section of the community dedicated specifically to residents diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Saint Simeon’s nursing staff and therapy team received Parkinson’s education and training on the disease process, including symptom management and medication regiments, as well as the benefits of therapeutic exercise and its positive effect in potentially slowing down the effects of Parkinson’s. Members of Saint Simeon’s staff have undergone training in PWR! Moves, a Parkinson’s-specific skill training program to maintain or restore skills that may have deteriorated due to the disease.
The founders of Doctors’ Hospital provided a donation at allowed, Saint Simeon’s to add equipment in the Wellness Center specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s. The equipment includes a WaterFit Trampoline, an underwater trampoline for use in the community’s indoor, warm-water therapy pool. Other exercise equipment includes a Glide Track Unweighting System, an unweighting harness that allows for unweighted walking, which enables neurological patients to walk longer and more comfortably. The other new pieces of equipment are a SCIFIT Passive Active Pro2 Unit, similar to a stationary bicycle, and Core Stix, hand-held walking sticks that strengthen core muscles.