April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and Grand Lake Health is using the opportunity to help local residents better understand the disease, its symptoms, and the therapy options available in the area.

During a recent appearance on Spectrum, Grand Lake Health speech pathologist Marcie Metzger said Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects dopamine and results in movement related symptoms. She said those symptoms can vary from person to person, but common signs include tremors, rigidity, balance problems, frequent falls, and slower movement.

Metzger said Parkinson’s is typically diagnosed clinically, meaning doctors often rely on medical history, observation, and symptom patterns rather than a single definitive test. She said while scans and lab work can be used, there is currently no test that fully confirms Parkinson’s disease.

She also noted the scope of the disease, saying more than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s, with nearly 90,000 new diagnoses each year in the United States. While many patients are diagnosed after age 50, Marcie Metzger said younger onset cases do happen.

When it comes to treatment, Metzger said the goal is to help patients manage symptoms and maintain quality of life through a combination of exercise, therapy, and medication. She said physical, occupational, and speech therapy can all play an important role, along with support from physicians, neurologists, dietitians, and other specialists depending on a patient’s needs.

Grand Lake Health offers outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy services through Grand Lake Rehab, along with home health therapy for homebound patients. Marcie Metzger also highlighted a 15 week exercise program at the YMCA in Minster that gives patients a group based option to stay active and continue working on movement and voice related goals.

She said caregivers and families should also know there are reliable resources available, including the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Davis Phinney Foundation. Marcie Metzger said local support groups and education can help families better understand the disease and the changes that may come with it over time.

For more information about therapy services through Grand Lake Health, residents can contact Grand Lake Rehab at 419 394 9514.