Assistive Technology Services
Disability and assistive technology combines technological invention with modern medicine, helping people with physical and cognitive disabilities acquire and use devices that help improve mobility and independence.
Parkinson's Disease Treatment Program
What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement, leading to symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and slowing of movement. Some of the first noticeable symptoms of Parkinson's disease are voice and speech changes. As the disease progresses, it can also impact cognitive function and emotional health.
Individuals over the age of 60 are at the highest risk for developing Parkinson's disease, though it can occur in younger adults. Risk factors include a family history of the disease, exposure to certain environmental toxins and gender, with men being slightly more likely to develop Parkinson's than women.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease
- Decline in balance
- Decrease in fine motor skills, like handwriting or using buttons and zippers
- Difficulty swallowing
- Freezing or inability to move
- Inability to project voice
- Low endurance
- Rigidity or stiffness
- Slow walking
- Small or shuffling steps
- Weakness
As these symptoms can significantly impact daily life, identifying them early is crucial to managing the disease effectively through tailored treatment for Parkinson's.
Who can benefit from Parkinson's disease therapy
Parkinson's disease patients can benefit from specialized therapies that improve their quality of life. Therapies such as physical, occupational and speech and language pathology can improve motor symptoms like tremors, rigidity and slowness of movement. These therapies also help maintain flexibility, balance and coordination for daily activities. Non-motor symptoms like sleep disturbances, depression and cognitive changes can also be addressed through tailored therapeutic strategies, improving emotional well-being and cognitive function.
Additionally, family members and caregivers of individuals with Parkinson's disease can benefit from therapies as they can gain valuable insights and strategies to provide effective support. Parkinson's disease therapy and support groups offer a comprehensive approach that not only benefits those directly affected by the disease but also extends support to those around them, fostering a network of care and understanding.
Parkinson's disease diagnosis and treatment options
Diagnosing Parkinson's disease involves a careful examination of medical history, a review of symptoms and sometimes specialized tests to rule out other conditions. While there is no single test for Parkinson's disease, your care team will use a combination of diagnostic methods to accurately identify the disease and tailor a personalized, comprehensive treatment plan.
At Bryn Mawr Rehab, we take a creative approach to Parkinson’s disease treatment that can include speech, occupational and physical therapies, which may include:
- Aquatic therapy
- Assistive technology services
- Diet-safety education
- Driver rehab
- Dynavision light training board for visual motor training
- Exercises to enhance reading speed and reaction time
- Exercises to improve dressing skills, eating and drinking
- Neuropsychological services
- Strength, flexibility and balance-improvement training
- Therapeutic yoga
- Therapies to improve speech clarity, tone and volume
- Training to increase walking speed and ease of movement
Bryn Mawr Rehab’s physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy teams offer specialized training and experience in rehabilitation services for patients with Parkinson’s disease and are certified in LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD®. Our patients further benefit from technology-assisted therapy for Parkinson's disease such as the Bioness Vector, Lokomat® Pro, Lite Gait and/or Balance Master.
LSVT BIG® Maintenance Program
We offer a six-week program for LSVT BIG® graduates. Taking place at noon on Wednesdays, this program’s requirements include:
- Each participant must be a graduate of a LSVT BIG program at Bryn Mawr Rehab within the last 12 months.
- For those who need any physical help to complete this program, your caregiver must accompany you to provide the assistance (caregiver participation is free).
- Participants must register in advance with Patient Access at 484.596.5000 at least two days prior to the first class.
- All participants need to complete and return the enclosed forms, including a signed medical clearance form from your physician. You will need to bring these forms and payment to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital before the first class (not the day of). You will not be permitted to participate without these required documents.
For more information and to register, call 484.596.5000.
Parkinson's disease support groups
Parkinson support group
The focus of the group is to enhance quality of life through education, symptom management and strategies for support and coping. Meetings are facilitated by Main Line Health clinicians and staff.
The Parkinson’s disease support group has resumed in-person meetings at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital on the third Tuesday of each month. For information about joining the Parkinson’s support group meetings, call 484.596.5725 or email parkinsupportgr@mlhs.org.
Family support of therapy for Parkinson's disease
For caregivers and family members, it's important to be involved in a Parkinson patient's treatment. Family involvement ensures that even when patients are at home, they can have someone to depend on who understands their challenges and is willing to help monitor and encourage their daily exercises.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
With three locations in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, we’re sure to offer pelvic floor rehabilitation near you. Our pelvic floor PTs treat pelvic floor conditions in men and women and we’re able to offer comprehensive treatments for these sometimes complex conditions.
Medical Rehabilitation
Combining medical practice with therapeutic rehabilitation, the inpatient medical rehab program supports patients with a wide range of acute or chronic conditions that cause temporary or permanent disability. Our goal is always to help patients regain as much independence as possible.
Brain Injury Rehab
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital was one of the first facilities in the country to offer traumatic and nontraumatic inpatient brain injury rehab as well as outpatient brain injury rehab and has remained one of the best rehabilitation hospitals for brain injury treatment in the Philadelphia region for more than 30 years.
Equestrian Therapy
Equine-assisted therapy provides physical as well as cognitive benefits for a person’s recovery. As the horse walks, the repetitive swinging motion helps to improve the person’s balance, coordination and strength and muscle tone through the trunk and legs. Cognitive skills improve because riding requires balance, stability, timing and planning.
Concussion Rehab
One of the first acute rehabilitation hospitals in the country to provide treatment for brain injury, we’re recognized as a leader in the field of concussion treatment and recovery.
Vestibular Therapy
At Bryn Mawr Rehab we help patients with chronic or acute dizziness and vertigo get back to active, normal living. With several outpatient locations in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, there’s sure to be a vestibular therapist near you.
Driver Rehab
Independence is a major goal of every rehabilitation program. For over 30 years, the driver rehabilitation program at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has offered a unique way for patients to return to this crucial aspect of their lives.