Friends In Frederick Parkinson Disease Support GroupFriends In Frederick 
Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Post Office Box 213
Walkersville, MD 21793-0213

ph: (301) 703-1194

stephen@fifpdsg.org

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Keeping Active

From the Michael J Fox Foundation:

Aside from working with your doctor on an ongoing plan primarily involving medications, one of the most important things you can do is exercise.
Many people cite swimming, walking and yoga as favorites.
The universal benefits of exercise in helping everyone feel better and improving overall health are well-documented. There is evidence that exercise may hold specific benefits for people with Parkinson's in staying active and relatively limber, and improving balance and motor coordination. 

Get More Information on the MJF Foundation Website 

NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus situation, many of these classes/programs are cancelled or are now ONLINE. Please CHECK WITH THE PROGRAM before going.

  • PFNCA Exercise Class

    The Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA) sponsors an exercise class on Thursday at 12:15 PM in partnership with and hosted at: OneLife Fitness -
    2500 Osprey Way
    Frederick MD 21701
    Phone: (301) 844-6510
    Email: pfnca@parkinsonfoundation.org

    NOW ONLINE: Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area FREE online exercise class --CLICK HERE-- available 24 hours per day.

  • Movement & Motion - Frederick Senior Center

    Ongoing gentle movement program for those coping with arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s, and other health conditions limiting mobility, or for people who haven’t exercised and want to start.
    Participants may start at any time, and attend as many days as desired:Monday, Wednesday and Friday – Frederick Senior Center, 11:00am $1 per session Instructors: Candice Valencia and Cain Yentzer 

  • Strength Training - Frederick County Division of Senior Services

    Ongoing seated and standing exercise to improve strength, range of motion and endurance.
    Participants may start at any time and attend as many days as desired:

    • Monday- Frederick Senior Center 9:45 am
    • Tuesday - Brunswick City Park Bldg 9:00 am
    • Tuesday- Frederick Senior Center, 11:00 am
    • Wednesday - Frederick Senior Center, 9:45am 
    • Thursday - Brunswick City Park Bldg 9:00 am
    • Thursday - Frederick Senior Center, 11:00 am
    • Friday - Frederick Senior Center 9:45am

    $3 per session.  Instructor – Candice Valencia
    Class includes people with other movement issues, not just Parkinson’s

    NEW --CLICK HERE-- for ONLINE Video

  • Chair Yoga - Frederick County Division of Senior Services

    Seated and standing yoga to improve fitness, circulation, mobility and overall well being. Bring a yoga mat:

    • Tuesday 12:15 pm Frederick Senior Center
    • Thursday-12:15 pm Frederick Senior Center,
    • Friday- Brunswick Senior Center (Park bldg ) 11:00am

    $30 for 10 sessions. Instructor - Candice Valencia
    Contact: Dara Markowitz,( 301) 600-3525 or DMarkowitz@FrederickCountyMD.gov
    Presented by the Frederick County Department of Aging

    NEW --CLICK HERE-- for ONLINE video

  • Pedaling For Parkinson's - Frederick YMCA 

    Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:15 – 11:00 AM
    Downtown Frederick YMCA
    1000 N Market Street,
    Frederick, MD 21701
    Contact: Jaime Fisher, (301) 663-5131 x 1244 or jfisher@frederickymca.org

    Update September 1, 2020: This program is operating again. See contact information above for more details.

    Pedaling For Parkinson's Website: http://www.pedalingforparkinsons.org/

    NOTE: Pedaling for Parkinson's is also available at the Hill YMCA in Westminster --CLICK HERE-- for flyer or contact: Tina Antkowiak: tinaantkowiak@ymaryland.org (410) 848-3660

  • Rock Steady Boxing - Westminster

    Carroll County - MDEE
    Larry Zarzecki
    400 North Center Street, 189-191
    Westminster, MD 21157
    Phone: (410) 916-1638
    Email: carrollcounty@rsbaffiliate.com

    See video above on this page

    NEW --CLICK HERE-- to visit the Rock Steady Boxing YouTube channel

  • Rock Steady Boxing - Frederick YMCA

    Dates/Times: Tuesday & Thursday / TBD
    Downtown Frederick YMCA
    1000 N Market Street
    Frederick, MD 21701
    Contact: Jaime Fisher, (301) 663-5131 x 1244 or email: jfisher@frederickymca.org

    Update September 1, 2020: This program is listed in the YMCA Fall Program Book. See contact information for more details.

    NEW --CLICK HERE-- to visit the Rock Steady Boxing YouTube channel

  • Ballroom Dancing For Parkinson's

    The Fred Astaire Dance Studio - Frederick is hosting Ballroom Dancing for Parkinson's 

    5103 Pegasus Court
    Frederick, MD

    Phone: 240-232-2329
    Text: 240-252-5548

    Dance Therapy Information from ParkinsonDisease.net 

  • Bowling - Hagerstown

    Southside Bowl
    17325 Virginia Avenue
    Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
    4th Friday of the month1:00 PM
    $2.00 per game - Shoe rental FREE
    Art Guyer
    Email: 4parkinsons@gmail.com

    NOTE: This program went on hiatus before the pandemic. Watch this space or email Art Guyer for details.

  • LSVT - BIG

    LSVT BIG trains people with Parkinson disease (PD) to use their body more normally. LSVT BIG may be covered by health insurance.

    LSVT BIG certified therapists are located at:

    FMH Rehabilitation at Liberty
    194 Thomas Johnson Drive
    Frederick, Maryland 21702
    Phone: 301-418-6434

    Sage Physical Therapy and Wellness
    3510 Sugarloaf Pkwy
    Suite G-02
    Urbana, Maryland
    Phone: 301-874-9200

    Fox Rehabilitation
    Phone: 877-407-3422

    Learn more about LSVT BIG on the LSVTGlobal website

  • Personal Trainer / Senior Fitness Specialist

    Age Well Senior Fitness
    Katrina Wolf
    Phone: 717-321-4966

From the Parkinson's Foundation:

Exercise is an important part of healthy living for everyone. For people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), exercise is more than healthy — it is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living.

Exercise and physical activity can improve many PD symptoms. These benefits are supported by research.

The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project shows that people with PD who start exercising earlier and a minimum of 2.5 hours a week, experience a slowed decline in quality of life compared to those who start later. Establishing early exercise habits is essential to overall disease management.

  • First, be safe. Before starting an exercise program, consult your neurologist and primary care doctor about concerns and recommendations. 
  • Ask your doctor or members in your support group to refer to a physical therapist (PT) who knows about PD. 
  • Work together to identify your concerns and limitations. Target exercises to improve them. For most people, a structured exercise program will include aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) and resistance training (using weights or bands).
  • Purchase a pedometer (step-counter) and figure out how many steps you take on average each day, then build up from there. Many smartphones or smartwatches have a built-in pedometer feature or an application that can be downloaded.
  • Exercise indoors and outdoors. Change your routine to stay interested and motivated.
  • Again, most importantly pick an exercise you enjoy.

Learn more at the Parkinson's Foundation website.

You can --CLICK HERE-- to take the Friends in Frederick Parkinson's Disease Support Group Exercise Survey.

Keeping Active Is Important

Have Questions?

Always check with your doctor before starting or modifying an exercise program. 

The information provided here is for informational purposes. These groups are not affiliated with the Friends In Frederick Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Times, dates, locations and costs of the programs on this page may change. Please contact the sponsoring organization to verify that the information is still correct.

Want to talk to people who are staying active? Find a local Parkinson's Disease Support Group by visiting our Support Groups - Four State Area page.

Copyright 2020 Friends In Frederick Parkinson's Disease Support Group. All rights reserved.

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Post Office Box 213
Walkersville, MD 21793-0213

ph: (301) 703-1194

stephen@fifpdsg.org