Parkinson’s is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and affects about 1 million people in the U.S. and around 4 million worldwide. There is a community of support for those affected at Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services through the Parkinson’s Support Group. This group is open to all those with Parkinson’s Disease & their caregivers; and is offered the 2nd Tuesday of every Month from 2:00 - 3:00 PM at Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services.
The support group began in 2016 when several staff members at Pioneer Memorial saw a need for support at a local level for patients on their journey with Parkinson’s as well as their caregivers. There are members from not only Viborg but several surrounding communities as well including Hurley, Irene, Centerville, and Beresford.
Every year, approximately 50,000 new cases of Parkinson’s Disease are diagnosed and the prevalence of the disease is expected to increase substantially in the next 20 years due to the aging population. In South Dakota alone, there is an estimated 3,000 individuals affected by Parkinson’s.
The goal of the Parkinson’s Support Group in Viborg is to reach out to those affected by the disease and provide support and resources to each other. The group has enjoyed lots of fellowship and discussion pertaining to the daily ins and outs of Parkinson’s by focusing on topics such as determination, advocacy, and caregiving.
The Physical Therapy Department at Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services has a Speech-Language Pathologist, Abby Halvorson, and a Physical Therapist, Amanda Marts, who are certified in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) for patients with Parkinson’s disease. This is an effective speech and physical therapy treatment that meets the needs of patient’s voice and/or mobility challenges through an intensive exercise program focusing on a LOUDER voice and BIGGER movements. It is a clinically proven and researched method offered by only certified LSVT therapists for individuals with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.Patients who have gone through the LSVT program at Pioneer Memorial have had significant positive outcomes on their daily lives.
If you or someone you know is on a journey with Parkinson’s disease, please invite them to join us on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2pm at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg. The next Support Group will be held on Tuesday, February 12th. For more information about the group or to be added to the email list, contact our Therapy Department at 605.326.3009.