Telling jokes may seem like a funny way to exercise. But for people with Parkinson鈥檚 disease, it鈥檚 an important way to give their voices a workout.
Parkinson鈥檚, a brain disorder that affects balance and coordination, also affects voice and speech. Patients may speak more softly, talk faster or slur their words, and this can affect their quality of life and ability to maintain relationships, says Elizabeth Bandera, a certified speech language pathologist.
That鈥檚 why she and speech language pathologist Amy Oleksiak lead the LOUD Crowd at RUSH Copley Medical Center. The program, developed by the to help people combat the disease and preserve their voices, is free to participants through RUSH Copley鈥檚 Movement Disorders Program.
In the weekly class at RUSH Copley Healthplex, participants do voice exercises and interact with each other for support, encouragement and accountability. People with Parkinson鈥檚 often have difficulty swallowing. This helps that, too.
Maintaining progress
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the few ways that really delays the progression of the disease,鈥 says Mike, who has Parkinson鈥檚. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good program. I was really thrilled when I found out RUSH Copley offers it.鈥
All of the participants have completed therapy programs, including SPEAK OUT! or LSVT LOUD. The program allows participants to continue with the programs and connect with others with similar issues.
鈥淚t helps them maintain the progress they made in therapy,鈥 Bandera says.
During class, Bandera and Oleksiak encourage participants to 鈥渟peak with intent鈥 and project their voices so they can be heard across the room.
鈥淏e a little louder than you think,鈥 they say as they remind participants to slow down, concentrate on what they鈥檙e saying and how they鈥檙e saying it and look at the other person when they speak.
The group currently includes 12 men. This may be because the risk of developing Parkinson鈥檚 is twice as high in men than in women, according to the National Institute of Health.
Helping speech and mind
The class helps, a participant says, explaining, 鈥淚t helps you realize things you鈥檙e not doing properly.鈥
鈥淚 practice every day,鈥 another class member says. 鈥淚 warm up my voice before dinner or an appointment. It helps my mind stay stronger and more alert. It鈥檚 like a symphony player, tuning up their instrument before a performance.鈥
Participants can also practice at home using sessions online. Some also join singalongs, where they read, then sing lyrics.
鈥淚t鈥檚 another way of practicing speech,鈥 explains David, a participant.
Support and connections
In addition to practicing their speech, a valuable component of the class is the connections that participants make with one another.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e supportive of each other and they encourage each other,鈥 Bandera says.
鈥淧eople understand what I鈥檓 going through,鈥 one participant shares. 鈥淎nd, it helps my voice.鈥
鈥淚 look forward to this class every week,鈥 says another class member. 鈥淚 meet interesting people. Everybody listens to what you have to say.鈥
Open to anyone with Parkinson鈥檚, the LOUD Crowd meets weekly for one hour every Friday at RUSH Copley Healthplex. For more info on this program or any of the programs for people with movement disorders, please email Cheryl Rerko at Cheryl_E_Nelson_Rerko@rush.edu or call her at (630) 499-6681.
