Special to IFN

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you know the toll it can take on a person’s physical and emotional abilities. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are therapies that can help patients achieve a fuller life.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

“Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system, and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. Symptoms start slowly. The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also may cause stiffness or slowing of movement,” according to The Mayo Clinic.

What’s the Solution?

In 2023, Parkinson’s disease was the eighth leading cause of premature death in Iredell County. While physical and speech therapies exist at Iredell Rehab centers in Mooresville, Taylorsville, and Statesville, those living with Parkinson’s disease sometimes have difficulties attending appointments outside the home. As of 2024, Iredell Home Health is now offering SPEAK OUT! Therapy in the comfort of home for patients who qualify for home health services.

“This program is offered through IMH Outpatient Services, and I have frequently referred patients there. However, not all the patients I see are able to attend outpatient services,” said Shannon Kenneally, a licensed SPEAK OUT! provider. “I wanted to be able to offer this program to the home health population.”

In 1998, the Parkinson Voice Project was founded by Samantha Elandary with the mission for those living with Parkinson’s to receive ongoing speech therapy, encouragement, and support. Elandary, a speech pathologist, and her team later developed the SPEAK OUT! therapy program.

What is SPEAK OUT?

SPEAK OUT! is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment that helps people with Parkinson’s disease regain and retain swallowing and speech skills. While many traditional therapies have an “end” date, the SPEAK OUT! therapy program is best represented as a circle — it is ongoing with patients expected to complete daily home practice and frequent check-ins with their speech pathologist. There are six elements to the Speak Out circle:

♦ Evaluation: A licensed SPEAK OUT! provider, such as Kenneally, determines if a patient could benefit from the therapy. A patient may qualify if they can tolerate 30 minute sessions, follow simple commands, practice daily at home, and show improvements in at least two categories of speaking with intent. These categories are breath support for speech, vocal volume, voice quality, articulation, and/or intonation of speech.

♦ eLibrary: Patients can access a free digital library of resources like the SPEAK OUT! workbook and therapy flashcards. These resources are used in sessions and for home practice. Patients who live in the United States also receive a hard copy of the standard SPEAK OUT! workbook.

♦ Video: Before starting therapy, patients and their families watch a video titled, “What is Parkinson’s?” to understand how therapy can help control the disease, providing hope and encouragement.

♦ Therapy: A licensed SPEAK OUT! speech pathologist spends 8 to 12 sessions lasting 30 to 40 minutes. Family members are encouraged to participate in the sessions with their loved ones. There is a digital option for family members who live out of state.

♦ Groups: When patients reach the third or fourth week of therapy, they transition into group therapy, encouraging them to speak with intent and share resources, encouragement, and support.

♦ Refresher: Patients attend regular follow-ups with their providers every three to six months and  consistently practice at home. If the provider notices a decline between sessions, additional therapy will be scheduled.

What’s the Cost?

SPEAK OUT! evaluation and treatments are typically covered by Medicare at 100 percent while the Parkinson Voice Project provides workbooks and the elibrary at no cost. Kenneally, recently licensed in SPEAK OUT!, is excited to offer the therapy to her patients. She already sees improvement in the patients she is working with.

Results

“This program teaches patients to live with intent due to the nature of Parkinson’s which impacts intentional movement. This is a skill they will continue to implement and benefit from for the rest of their lives. Speech is stronger and more intelligible, and their swallowing function is also improved,” Kenneally explained.

About Iredell Home Health

Iredell Home Health has operated since 1974 and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Home Health Care. Staff members include skilled nurses, certified home health aides, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and medical social workers.