Parkinson’s clinic established at CoxHealth
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that
affects 1.5 million Americans. Approximately 2,400 of them live right
here in the Ozarks and many need specialized services to help manage the
symptoms. While PD is manifested in many ways, it affects each patient
differently. The cardinal signs of PD are tremor, rigidity, slowness of
movement and balance problems. PD patients can also experience sleep problems,
depression, anxiety and many other symptoms. While there is no cure for
this disease, treatment with medications, therapies and surgery can often
improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s.
To better serve Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers, Cox
Rehab Services and Ferrell-Duncan Clinic have established The Parkinson’s
Clinic of the Ozarks. The clinic was created in response to a need expressed
by the Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks, the local chapter of the
National Parkinson Foundation.
Often Parkinson’s patients are referred to therapists outside the
doctor’s office for evaluation and treatment. For some patients
this may mean several separate consultations, sometimes spread over a
period of months. This is particularly difficult for people who live outside
Springfield. According to Dr. George F. Wong III, medical director of
the clinic, many patients travel great distances to seek help. “One
of the advantages of the assessment clinic is one-stop shopping where
patients can be seen by multiple disciplines in one day,” Wong says.
“The doctors also like this concept because we have the input of
several professionals at the time we see the patient.”
The clinic provides comprehensive clinical and social assessments for
PD patients. A team comprised of a board-certified neurologist, a physical
therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, a nurse and
a social services worker performs the evaluations. Drs. Scott Duff, Stephen
Otto, Papaiah Sreepada, Rodney Quinn and George Wong each rotate through
the clinic to see new and established patients.
Each member of the team evaluates the patient differently. The occupational
therapist looks at how well a patient can perform activities of daily
living, like eating and grooming. The physical therapist evaluates the
patient’s mobility and balance, and provides instruction for caregivers
to assist the patient at home. The speech therapist evaluates the patient’s
voice and swallowing. It is common for Parkinson’s patients to have
diminished voice volume and problems swallowing, which can lead to patients
aspirating liquid or food into the lungs. The therapists can recommend
specific exercises or equipment to help manage these symptoms.
The social services worker screens patients for problems with sleeping
and depression. The nurse discusses medications and side effects. Sometimes
medications wear off and patients experience dramatic differences in their
ability to function throughout the day. Patients are given information
about resources in their communities as well as information about support
groups sponsored by the Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks.
Frank Bolt of Mountain Grove was one of the first patients to be evaluated
at the clinic. Bolt, 71, has twice been elected the mayor of Mountain
Grove and is now an associate commissioner in Wright County. In addition,
he works out at the gym and works in his yard and gardens. The first symptom
he remembers is a tremor in his hand nine years ago. Since that time neurologist,
Dr. Rodney Quinn, has treated him. He also attends Parkinson’s support
group meetings at Cox North, which is where he first heard about the clinic.
”The clinic staff were very professional,” Bolt says. “I
was treated with respect and dignity.”
When he was evaluated at the Parkinson’s Clinic, the physical therapist
recommended two therapy sessions to assist with his gait and balance.
He was referred to a therapist in his own community and has continued
the program at the local gym.
The Parkinson’s Clinic of the Ozarks is open to patients Tuesdays
and Thursdays. For information about the clinic, call 875-3681.
Janice McCauley is the manager of Cox Senior Advantage.
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