New choral group for people with Parkinson’s symptoms

Posted Jan 22, 2019     By  Sue Scheible  

The Patriot Ledger 

HANOVER -- A new chorus for people with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease has been started at Laura’s Center for the Arts by the South Shore YMCA and the South Shore Conservatory.

The choral group is the latest in a series of new programs the Y’s Emilson Branch for people with the progressive neurological disease. Parkinson’s affects movement and motor skills; medications and exercise have been shown to improve symptoms.

The new chorus’ director, Eve Montague, last year helped form an arts program for people with Alzheimer’s disease in Hingham. Montague is director of the Conservatory’s creative art therapies department.

Certified music therapists designed the new choral group program with activities to help ease symptoms, build community and offer opportunities for growth. Parkinson’s disease can cause changes in speech, including speaking in a softened or slurred manner. The weekly Wednesday afternoon meetings will include vocal and facial drills, such as stretching the facial muscles and voices while singing together.

Dan Berry, executive director of the South Shore YMCA’s Emilson Branch, said he hopes to continue working with the Conservatory to develop more programs of inclusion and wellness.

Music can ease the symptoms, Montague explained, because “neurologically, music affects the brain and muscles in a way that allows individuals to use their voice and move their bodies more effectively and powerfully.” Music allows some people to use alternate brain pathways when certain areas shut down, she said, and is a way to “address multiple symptoms in a fun and social way.”

The chorus is free of charge to people with Parkinson’s and for their caretakers. It meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Laura’s Center for the Arts, 97 Mill St. on the Y’s Emilson campus, near Hanover Mall.

For more information about the chorus, contact the director Eve Montague at e.montague@sscmusic.org or (781) 934-2731 ext. 20.

The program is supported by a grant from the American Parkinson Disease Association, MA Chapter.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, exercise is also a vital part of controlling symptoms and maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living. The Emilson Y also offers:

• Pedal and Punch for Parkinson’s: Aerobic exercise while pedaling on the bike, with exercises and punches, to improve gait, balance, tremor, and mobility. (Thursdays at 1 p.m., free to members)
• Cycle for Parkinson’s: pedaling indoor bikes at a rapid pace with a certified Parkinson’s exercise instructor. (Wednesdays at 12 p.m., free to members, first session free to non-members).
• Strength Training for Parkinson’s: functional movements with a certified Parkinson’s exercise instructor to help with activities of everyday life. Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m., free to members)

For more information about the pedaling or functional exercise programs contact Kate Mortland, Certified Parkinson’s Exercise Instructor at kmortland@ssymca.org or 781-264-7913.

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