Pune (Voice News Service): KEM Hospital, Pune recently hosted a special event to mark World Parkinson’s Day at The event was jointly organized by KEM Hospital Pune, ‘B K Parekh Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society’ (BKP -PDMDS)’. and Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. Dr. Pradeep Divte, Head of Department of Neurosciences at KEM Hospital, Neurologist Dr. Shripad Pujari, along with Kavita Nimbalkar, Program Manager at Mumbai Support Group, Jyoti Mehta, Admin Care Manager Dept., Janine Garda, Neuropsychologist & Coordinator at KEM Hospital, Dr. Nikita Chhajed Physiotherapist and Coordinator of KEM and DMH Support Group , Volunteer Sampada Padhe, BKP-PDMDS Senior Psychologist Neha Rane and Psychologist Shibani Khanna were present on the occasion.
About 60 members of the support group at KEM Hospital and Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital created public awareness through dance-singing performances (Creative Therapy). Several patients expressed their thoughts about the experience after joining the support group and the transformation in their lives.
Dr Pradeep Divate, HoD Department of Neurosciences at KEM Pune said that the progressive disorder affects the nervous system and subsequently the parts of the body that are controlled by them. The symptoms progress with age and may include tremors in the body, loss of movement, deterioration in posture and balance, inability to walk and maintain weight, stiffness, the rigidity of muscles, changes in speech etc. The deterioration in movements and other symptoms also plays on confidence and affects individuals emotionally and psychologically. Therefore apart from regular medication, the need of the hour is such support groups. The support group programmes are meant not only to help individuals with PD but also for their caregivers.
Neurologist Dr. Shripad Pujari gave information about medication and treatment . Vasumita Desai was the compere for the event, while Dr. Nikita Chhajed and Sampada Padhye proposed the vote of thanks .
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group Programs are conducted free of charge by BKP-PDMDS through several centers in India. It is a multi-faceted program which mainly consists of occupational and speech therapy, physical exercise (physiotherapy), laughter therapy, dance and music, movement therapy along with proper nutrition, yoga-pranayama, doctor’s lectures and awareness sessions on other common brain diseases among senior citizens. Guidance is provided. These activities are conducted free of cost by trained professionals of BKP – PDMDS.
PD support group sessions are conducted weekly at KEM Hospital on Wednesdays and at DMH on Saturdays.
