APDA Parkinson Support Network of Cape Cod Branch
The Parkinson Support Network of Cape Cod (PSN), a Branch of the APDA MA Chapter, was founded in 2009 by Joyce Ginouves after her husband Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She recognized the need for additional services for the over one thousand families living with Parkinson’s on Cape Cod. Over the years, she has assembled an alliance of consumers, health and human service providers, and organizations committed to supporting people living with Parkinson’s disease and their families/care partners on Cape Cod. Since its beginnings, the PSN/APDA has coordinated educational seminars, support services, and specialized exercise and wellness programs. The Cape Cod PSN became a Branch of the American Parkinson Disease Association Massachusetts Chapter in 2015.
For more information about any of our programs and services, please call the American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center at 800-651-8466.
Updates for the PD Community
As a precaution and in light of recent recommendations regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), a number of scheduled events and meetings have been cancelled or postponed. Please be sure to reach out to the program contact if you are unsure about whether or not a meeting has been cancelled.
For more information on COVID-19 and the PD Community, click here. You can also feel free to reach out to the APDA Information and Referral Center at 800-651-8466 with any questions.
Upcoming Cape Events
APDA MA Virtual Education Series November Webinar:
The Role of Nutrition in Parkinson’s
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Join the American Parkinson Disease Association MA for the virtual educational program “The Role of Nutrition in Parkinson’s.” This program will be presented by Stacey Zawacki, DrPH, MS, RDN, LDN, the Director of the Boston University Sargent Choice Nutrition Center (SCNC); and Rachel Reynolds, MS, RDN, LDN, the Assistant Director of the SCNC. They will be discussing the importance of nutrition as a component of wellness in PD.
Please note that this program will be presented on a Wednesday, rather than our usual Tuesday schedule.
This program is part of our APDA MA Virtual Education Series: Bringing Information to You at Home.
Educational Programming
Each year, the PSN/APDA Branch provides educational programming specifically for the Cape Parkinson’s community. These programs are designed to educate people with Parkinson’s, care partners, and interested community members about varying topics related to Parkinson’s. Past programming has included panels on wellness programming, seminars on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, support for care partners, and more. The Program Committee for the Parkinson Support Network/APDA Board determines annual programming at the beginning of each year. Click below to see the full schedule for the current year.
Educational Programs
APDA MA Virtual Education Series November Webinar:
The Role of Nutrition in Parkinson’s
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Join the American Parkinson Disease Association MA for the virtual educational program “The Role of Nutrition in Parkinson’s.” This program will be presented by Stacey Zawacki, DrPH, MS, RDN, LDN, the Director of the Boston University Sargent Choice Nutrition Center (SCNC); and Rachel Reynolds, MS, RDN, LDN, the Assistant Director of the SCNC. They will be discussing the importance of nutrition as a component of wellness in PD.
Please note that this program will be presented on a Wednesday, rather than our usual Tuesday schedule.
This program is part of our APDA MA Virtual Education Series: Bringing Information to You at Home.
Psychosocial Support
Support groups are critical to people whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s disease, providing a forum to come together to seek information, voice concerns, and share experiences. The meetings provide an opportunity to express feelings and discussion common issues and what solutions others have discovered. Meeting with others who understand the unique needs of individuals with PD and family members can lessen feelings of isolation and validate one’s experience—you are not alone!
Support Groups
Cape Cod Virtual Support Group
This support group is currently meeting via Zoom. Contact the facilitator for more information.
Meeting Time: 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 10:00 – 11:15 AM
Contact: Jeanne Jackson
Phone: 508-367-4267
Email: jahjackson@comcast.net
Chatham / Harwich / Brewster, MA
This support group has begun meeting in-person. The next meeting will take place Sept. 2022. Please contact the facilitator for more information.
Saint Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 625 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633
Meeting Time: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 10-11 AM
Contact: Betty Magnusson
Phone: 508-945-1106
Email: magnulbch@gmail.com
Falmouth
This group will meet in-person. Please contact the facilitators for further details.
Town of Falmouth Gus Canty Community Center, Room 1, 790 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540
Meeting Time: Beginning October 3, 2022 – 1st Monday of the month, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Contact: Barbara Fagan, LPN
Phone: 508-274-3917
Email: barbarajfagan@comcast.net
Contact: Marleen Spengler, MBA, BS, RN, GERO-BC
Email: m_spengler@yahoo.com
This group is supported by the Parkinson Support Network of Cape Cod, a Branch of the American Parkinson Disease Association MA Chapter
Martha’s Vineyard / West Tisbury, MA / Vineyard Isle Parkinsonians (VIPs)
This group will meet via Zoom for the foreseeable future. This group also meets for a socially distanced walk outside; please contact facilitator Bethany for more information.
The Up-Island Council on Aging (Howes House), 1042A State Road, West Tisbury, MA 02575
Meeting Time: 2nd Monday of the month, 10:30-11:30 AM
Contact: Bethany Hammond
Phone: (508) 693-2896
Email: coa-outreach@westtisbury-ma.gov
Contact: Lila Fischer, RN
Email: lfischer@gmail.com
Healthy Mindset Parkinson’s Program
The Healthy Mindset Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Program is designed to facilitate greater understanding, support overall adjustment and enhance quality of life for persons with PD and their partners. The program seeks to educate participants about the common psychosocial aspects of PD an d to promote healthy mindset strategies that enhance well-being, even in the face of illness.
Healthy mindset, offered in collaboration with the Parkinson’s Center for Comprehensive Care at Spaulding Cape Cod, is a unique program for patients and their partners. Click here to see a flyer with more information.
Location: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, 311 Service Road, East Sandwich, MA 02537
Contact: For registration, schedule, and more call 508-833-4141
Arts and Movement Programs on the Cape
Cape Cod is home to many programs specifically designed for the person with Parkinson’s and his or her family members. Being active improves and maintains strength, flexibility, mobility, and coordination. Several different modalities are currently offered throughout the country and researchers are actively studying the effects of structured exercise programs on functionality and quality of life indicators. As a service to the community and with permission of the sponsoring individual or agency, the PSN/ APDA Branch provides an updated list arts and movement programs. Click on the links below for more information on each program. Specific information on whether you or a loved one can safely participate should be obtained by your health care provider in collaboration with the sponsoring agency.
2022 Update: As a precaution regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), some scheduled programs are still postponed. Please be sure to reach out to the program contact if you are unsure about whether or not a meeting will happen.
For more information on COVID-19 and the PD Community, click here. You can also feel free to reach out to the APDA Information and Referral Center at 800-651-8466 with any questions.
PSN/APDA Sponsored Programming
Barnstable – Sing for Joy
Location: First Lutheran Church, 1663 Main Street, West Barnstable, MA
Dates & Times: Mondays, 10 – 11 AM
Contact: 508-362-2772 or education@capesymphony.org
This group is supported by the American Parkinson Disease Association MA Chapter
Exercise Classes
Barnstable – Pedaling for Parkinsons
The YMCA Cape Cod hosts a Pedaling for Parkinson’s program. The program is free for YMCA members, $100 for non-members. The class meets 3 times a week.
Location: YMCA Cape Cod, 2245 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668
Contact: Elliot Sicard, esicard@ymcacapecod.org or 508-362-6500
Harwich – High-Intensity Training for PD (HIT-PD)
HIT-PD offers those in the early stages of PD an intensive training program to reduce the impact of symptoms and possibly slow the progression of disease. HIT-PD is based on emerging research on the importance of early exercise and physical therapy in preventing secondary complications of PD. Exercises focus on aerobic fitness, quality of gait, muscle strength, mood, fatigue and cognition. Contact Heather Merrill for current dates and times.
Location: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Route 137, Harwich, MA 02645
Contact: Heather Merrill, MSPT; 508-240-7203
Hyannis – Rock Steady Boxing with Forte Fitness
Dates & Time: Rock Steady Boxing classes are offered Monday through Friday, multiple times each day. Contact the gym for more information.
Location: 350 Kidd’s Hill Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact: Meredith Ruff, (508) 776-7349 or fortefitness@rsbaffiliate.com
Rock Steady Boxing with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod
Free screening required prior to joining this program.
Contact: 508-833-4197
Spaulding Cape Cod Virtually Accessible Yoga
Date & Time: Mondays; 10 – 11 AM
Location: Online via Zoom
Contact: Email dnardi@mghihp.edu for questions and to learn more about the program, or call Danielle at (508) 771-1300 to register.
Wareham – Pedal for Parkinson’s
This class included exercises designed to help people with Parkinson’s stay active and help with their condition through cycling and chair exercises. The instructor is Pam Smith-Paquette. Classes are free with a membership, non-members can purchase a day-pass.
Dates & Time: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 12:00 – 1:15 PM
Location: Gleason Family YMCA, 33 Charge Pond Road, Wareham, MA 02571
Contact: 508-295-9622
Community Wellness Programs, Speech Therapy, & Physical Therapy
Community Wellness Physical Therapy Programs for individuals with Parkinson’s disease are now offered in several Cape communities.
The Wellness Program is designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease living in the community learn to manage their health more effectively in order to improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life. Under the guidance of licensed physical, occupational, and speech therapists, participants will learn exercises and a problem solving approaches to managing daily mobility, self-care, and communication issues which often interfere with function and quality of life.
These programs have been developed from a model established at Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Healthcare professionals from interested agencies collaborate and receive intensive training by staff from Boston University’s Sargent College and the BU Department of Neurology. These initiatives are supported in part by the American Parkinson Disease Association.
LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD® are intensive therapy programs administered to an individual with Parkinson’s by a rehabilitation specialist ( PT, OT, Speech). To learn more about these programs, visit http://www.lsvtglobal.com/.
Wellness Programs, Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy
Dennis – Community Wellness Program at Dennis Council on Aging
Location: Dennis Council on Aging, 1045 MA 134, South Dennis, MA 02660
Contact: 508-771-1300
Duxbury – Community Wellness Program
*The Community Wellness program in Duxbury has moved to Hanover, MA
Hanover – Community Wellness Program
Location: Emilson YMCA, 75 Mill Street, Hanover, MA 02339
Contact: 781-829-8585 or email Emily Hubert at ehubert@ssymca.org
Harwich – Community Wellness Program at St. Peter’s
Dates & Times: Call the number below for current dates and times.
Location: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Route 137, Harwich, MA 02645
Contact: Spaulding Cape Cod Orleans, 508-240-7203
Hyannis, MA – LSVT® BIG and LOUD at Pavilion Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Location: 876 Falmouth Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact: Cindy Parker-Marney, 508-775-6663
Orleans, MA- Spaulding Outpatient Center Orleans
LSVT LOUD® program
LSVT BIG® program
Vibrant Voices – For individuals who have completed LSVT®
Please call 508-240-7203 for more information.
Plymouth, MA- Spaulding Outpatient Center Plymouth
LSVT BIG® program
Please call 508-927-7424 for more information.
Sandwich, MA – Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Center Sandwich
LSVT LOUD® program
Please call 508-833-4141 for more information.
Raise Your Voice
Raise Your Voice is a speech and voice training program that focuses on breathing, volume and articulation for those with PD who are experiencing changes in speech and voice. Classes include education, daily exercises and strategies for self-management.
Prior experience with LSVT® is not necessary.
Please call 508-833-4078 to register
Sandwich – Community Wellness Program at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod
Dates: For a list of program dates, please contact Spaulding.
Location: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, 311 Service Road, Sandwich, MA 02537
Contact: 508-833-4078
Yarmouth, MA – Spaulding Outpatient Center Yarmouth
LSVT BIG® program
Please call 508-771-1300 for more information.
Learn More About the Parkinson Support Network/APDA Leadership
PSN/APDA Branch Leadership
Leadership Council
Heather Merrill, MSPT
Marleen Spengler, MBA, BS, RN, Gero-BC
Seth Stadfeld
Cathi A. Thomas MS, RN, CNRN- Advisor
Jay Zavala
Joyce Ginouves, Founding Member
Advisory Council
John S. Allen, PhD
Marie Saint-Hilaire, MD, FRCPC
