When Marcie McConville was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease she made the decision to take control of her diagnosis and with research and a supportive doctor, she discovered the hospital’s program.

“I strongly believe the better informed you are, the better you can handle the disease,” Ms McConville said.

“As soon as I was diagnosed in August last year, I started researching ways I could manage Parkinson’s disease and found exercise was really beneficial.”

Calvary Kogarah Hospital Day Rehabilitation Unit’s Acting Senior Physiotherapist, Kristy Leitch, said the program empowered the patient, to better understand their diagnosis and make better informed decisions.

“We know in some cases, exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The program takes a holistic approach focusing on the right exercises, managing medication correctly and eating right,” Ms Leitch said.

“A key part of the program is education. Each week we dedicate half an hour to hearing from experts including doctors, dieticians, speech therapists and exercise physiologists. It is a very multidisciplinary approach.”

Patients can be referred to Calvary Kogarah Hospital’s Parkinson’s Wellbeing Program through their general practitioner or specialist. They then come in for an assessment with the rehabilitation specialist and either a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.

“Knowledge is empowering and by helping a patient to better understand their individual form of Parkinson’s disease, we can help them make informed decisions on how to live their life into the future,” Ms Leitch said.

“Most of our patients are relatively new to being diagnosed so they initially come in for two sessions with us to learn disease-specific exercises before they start the program. By focusing on what they can control they are able to build up their confidence.”

Ms McConville said the knowledge she gained through the program had been invaluable.

“I’ve completed four rehabilitation programs at Calvary Kogarah Hospital and I just keep coming back. I really appreciate all the staff and how helpful they are with managing my Parkinson’s diagnosis.”

Since its inception in 2013, more than 600 patients have completed the program. April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month with World Parkinson’s Day is 11 April.

Parkinson’s Australia reports an estimated 70,000 people are living with Parkinson’s disease in Australia, with 31 people diagnosed daily.

For more information about Calvary Kogarah Hospital’s Parkinson’s Wellbeing Program, click here.