Parkinson's disease
Spectrum Health has adopted a comprehensive care model to provide medical care for persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by employing a multidisciplinary team approach. No two persons with Parkinson’s disease experience the symptoms in exactly the same way and hence the treatment plan should be customized to fit the person’s needs and preferences.
Multidisciplinary team
The Parkinson’s Multidisciplinary Clinic provides a comprehensive, team-based approach to your care. Once you are an established patient with one of our movement disorder specialists, this clinic is an option to consider for enhancing your care.
The ease of the evaluation is something that is highly valued by our patients. An evaluation is typically four hours. You remain in one room and the specialists come to you. You can expect to meet our team of highly specialized professionals that includes a fellowship trained Parkinson’s specialist, pharmacist, speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist and social worker.
By the end of your visit, you'll have a customized treatment plan based on your individual needs. The multidisciplinary clinic takes a patient-centric design offering an exceptional value and service for the Parkinson’s community. The entire visit is streamlined and is supervised by a nurse navigator. Please note that you have to be an established Spectrum Health patient before participating in the Parkinson's Multidisciplinary Clinic. If you travel greater than 50 miles for your care or have complex care needs that require extra assistance, we can help coordinate your appointments and facilitate your healthcare needs. Please contact our nurse navigator at 616.447.1393 or you can email NeuroNurseNavigator@spectrumhealth.org.
Spectrum Health West Michigan is excited to receive one of the first Comprehensive Care Center designations in the U.S.
The Parkinson’s Foundation recognizes medical centers that excel in utilizing a specialized, multidisciplinary team approach to provide the highest level of evidence-based, patient-centered care; demonstrate leadership in professional training; and conduct impactful patient education and community outreach.
Treatment options
From research to recovery, we're here to work with you. Each patient experiences symptoms differently and responds to treatments differently. We'll create your treatment plan specific to you. Treatment options include:
Our Parkinson’s experts will work with you to individualize your Parkinson’s medication regimen to improve both your motor (tremor, stiffness, slowness) and non-motor symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia and constipation, etc). Sometimes medications are not immediately necessary. Our goal is to use them to improve quality of life.
Exercise is an important part of any comprehensive treatment plan for Parkinson’s. Our Parkinson’s experts and therapists will help you find an exercise regimen that is appropriate for you.
Our therapist at Spectrum Health movement disorders program is Lee Silverman, Voice Treatment certified (LSVT-certified). We offer LSVT Big and LSVT loud therapy programs and therapy services at multiple locations in West Michigan. Spectrum Health also coordinates with therapists at non-spectrum locations to bring therapy options closer to your home.
Deep brain stimulation is a therapy delivered into the brain from a small, implanted battery that generates small amounts of electricity. It is a treatment option for some patients with moderate to advanced Parkinson’s disease, severe tremors, dystonia, and other conditions.
Levodopa Intestinal Infusion Therapy, also referred to as Duopa, is a treatment that involves the surgical placement of a tube in the gastrointestinal tract to allow continuous daytime infusion of levodopa directly into the intestine. This is a newer treatment option for helping to optimize symptoms for those with Parkinson’s disease. This treatment may be used in Parkinson’s disease when an individual has complications from oral medication therapy such as medication wearing off (benefit not lasting from dose to dose) or symptoms not being well enough controlled with other treatments, or with excessive movements called dyskinesias. It may also be used in individuals as an alternative to deep brain stimulation surgery.
If you are interested in exploring this treatment option, you will meet with specialists through a fast track process to coordinate appointments and to help in determining if you would potentially benefit from the therapy and be a candidate. Evaluations include visits with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and interventional radiology. A CT scan of the abdomen will be obtainedto make sure your anatomy is amenable to surgery. Afterward, your case is discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting with all providers.
For more information, please contact our DUOPA program coordinator at 616.267.7651.
Botox is not only used for cosmetic purposes. It can be helpful for the treatment of drooling and dystonia, such as toe and ankle curling, that are sometimes associated with Parkinson’s. Your neurologist will help you decide if this is a treatment from which you would benefit.
Support
We offer a variety of programs and services to support your care. All items listed are FREE for individuals with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Phone and virtual options are available. For more information, please contact our nurse navigator at 616.447.1393 or you can email NeuroNurseNavigator@spectrumhealth.org.
The Spectrum Health Parkinson’s support groups were organized to offer patients and the caregivers an opportunity to share their experiences, ask questions and further their knowledge of the disease in a relaxed environment. Each support group is set up with a speaker for educational opportunities in the beginning and time for questions and discussion after. The forum of the group is casual and is designed to adapt toward the topics and needs most relevant to those who attend.
We bring people together with a common interest and offer continued education for optimal Parkinson’s management. Each month has a focused educational topic presented. Anyone with Parkinson’s disease or their care partners are welcome to attend.
When: Third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
For more information, please contact our nurse navigator at 616.447.1393 or you can email NeuroNurseNavigator@spectrumhealth.org.
To access our library of recordings from previous support group education, visit The Spectrum of Parkinson's on Vimeo.
This monthly meeting brings together care partners for informal discussion and connection on topics relevant to supporting a loved one with Parkinson’s. Education and resources are presented per the group’s needs and interests.
When: Third Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 pm
For more information, please contact our nurse navigator at 616.447.1393 or you can email NeuroNurseNavigator@spectrumhealth.org.
This is a small group meeting for individuals diagnosed with PD around the age of 50 or younger. The group meets once a month to connect, support each other, and share resources.
When: Meeting dates and times vary based on group availability.
For more information, please contact our nurse navigator at 616.447.1393 or you can email NeuroNurseNavigator@spectrumhealth.org.
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have had Parkinson’s for years, education is essential to empower you to live at your best. Our Parkinson’s nurse navigator offers small group education for orientation to Parkinson’s disease or individualized education sessions to meet your specific needs. All newly diagnosed individuals are encouraged to take advantage of this free resource.
For more information, please contact our nurse navigator at 616.447.1393 or you can email NeuroNurseNavigator@spectrumhealth.org.
Individuals with Parkinson’s may find it helpful to connect with another person going through a similar experience. Ambassadors are patients with Parkinson’s who have volunteered to be supportive advocates. If you would like to speak one-to-one with another individual with Parkinson’s, we can help make this connection.
For more information, please contact our nurse navigator at 616.447.1393 or you can email NeuroNurseNavigator@spectrumhealth.org.
Exercise resources
This Corewell Health PD-specific class is free to participants. Class is facilitated by Corewell Health’s PD therapists. Coaching is provided to exercise the body, voice, and mind. Exercises can be done seated or standing. Both in-person and virtual class options are offered on multiple days during the week.
If you have any questions, would like additional information, or would like to get involved in the class, please either call 616.391.6249 or email parkinsons@corewellhealth.org.
PD Health @ Home
Offers a virtual wellness program with educational opportunities that you can access at home.
Their events include:
- Mindfulness Mondays
- Wellness Wednesdays
- Fitness Fridays
- Video library of Parkinson's disease yoga sessions
Contact the Movement Disorders Program
For more information or to schedule an appointment