Oklahoma City Ballet To Offer Dance Class For Parkinson’s Patients

Elder law attorneys help clients who are diagnosed with serious medical conditions make plans for their future. These plans can include specifying in advance what kinds of medical care you wish to receive and wish to decline. Your plans can also include taking steps to secure your legacy, as well as taking steps to find programs and services that will enhance your quality of life. Parman & Easterday is here to help, so give us a call to find out about the ways in which our legal team can assist you or your family member after a medical diagnosis. 

Recently, News OK reported on one such program that will enhance the lives of Parkinson’s patients. According to News OK, the program is being run by the Oklahoma City Ballet and it involves offering dance classes to patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Dance Class To Be Offered For Patients With Parkinson’s Disease

According to News OK, the Oklahoma City Ballet is offering its class for Parkinson’s patients through its outreach division. The program is part of a Golden Swans Program aimed at offering benefits and services to senior adults. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is providing grants through its Elderly Services iFund to provide funding for the Golden Swans Program.

The ballet company made the decision to offer a ballet class to Parkison’s patients because of research showing how dance can help people who have Parkinson’s disease. Ballet classes aid in developing confidence in movement, as well as stability and strength — all of which are very important for Parkinson’s patients to maintain. Dance also involves choreography and a focus on sequences of movements as well as on the process of moving from one place to another. All of these skills can make it easier for Parkinson’s patients to focus on finding ways to move effectively regardless of their current ability levels.

A Dance for PD Program was created by a faculty member of the Mark Morris Dance Group.  To secure the benefits of dance for Parkinson’s’ patients in Oklahoma City, members of the Oklahoma City Ballet attended a training class from Dance for PD in Brooklyn so the right type of ballet program could be developed for those in Oklahoma.

The Dance for PD program does not water down the techniques or demand less of Parkinson’s patients.  It focuses on respecting the adults who take the courses and helps them learn dance skills that can enhance their abilities. The program involves patients attending hour-long classes. During the classes, patients will perform a few basic moves along the floor and engage in movements while seated, using the back of the chair to provide assistance.

Each student receives personalized instructions that cater to his or her specific abilities. Patients with early-onset Parkinson’s, patients who have been newly diagnosed, those who have more advanced Parkinson’s and those who are using walkers or wheelchairs are all eligible to participate. The Parkinson’s Foundation of Oklahoma is teaming up with the Oklahoma City Ballet to find patients who would be good candidates to participate in the free Dance for Parkinson’s classes. The hope is that patients who undertake these classes will experience a decrease in the symptoms that are associated with Parkinson’s.

Getting Help From Elder Law Attorneys

Elder law attorneys at Parman & Easterday can provide assistance after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s or after any other serious medical diagnosis. Our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team is here to offer you support and knowledgeable legal advice as you make plans to control your future even after a diagnosis of a medical condition that makes that future less certain.

To find out more about how we can help you, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call today at (405) 843-6100 or contact us online to get personalized assistance with making plans to protect yourself and your loved ones.