APDA Massachusetts About the APDA Massachusetts Chapter PSN Cape Cod, APDA Branch

PSN Cape Cod, APDA Branch

APDA Parkinson Support Network of Cape Cod Branch

The Parkinson Support Network of Cape Cod (PSN), a branch of the APDA Massachusetts Chapter, was founded in 2009 by Joyce Ginouves after her husband Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). She recognized the need for additional services for the over one thousand families living with PD 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 PD 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 APDA Massachusetts Chapter in 2015.

For more information about any of our programs and services, please call the APDA Information & Referral Center at 800-651-8466.

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Upcoming Events

Click here to visit our upcoming events page.

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 disease (PD), care partners, and interested community members about varying topics related to PD. Past programming has included panels on wellness programming, seminars on non-motor symptoms of PD, 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

Psychosocial Support

Support groups are critical to people whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD), 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

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.

Exercise Classes

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

Learn More About the Parkinson Support Network/APDA Leadership

PSN/APDA Branch Leadership