Philosophy
The NYU Parkinson and Movement Disorders Center was founded in the summer of 2007 with generous support of the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation, to help individuals and families living with Parkinson disease and other movement disorders to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
The Center has three aspects, all closely interrelated:
- An active research program that explores best treatments options for Parkinson disease
- An interdisciplinary care team for individuals and families
- Social work, community-based and support programs
The Center values excellence in service and a humanistic, empathic and compassionate approach to healthcare delivery that emphasizes the individual, rather than just the disease. In our view, the patient-healthcare provider relationship is as important as the availability of the most appropriate treatments and supports.
As persons with Parkinson and related movement disorders go through their journey, Center staff is committed to a philosophy of care in which providing “the right care at the right time” is paramount. We value the importance of the individual and their family and goal oriented assessment in an effort to optimize function, and enhance the quality of life at every stage of the journey.
Our integrated approach to care, emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary team approach, one in which different types of professionals are available to provide consultation, assessment and therapy as needed.
We place great importance on establishing programs that add quality to life. While living with chronic illness can be very challenging, we believe that nourishing an environment of wellness and creative expression is paramount. The Center is proud of its newest partnership with the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Manhattan where integrative and therapeutic programs of dance/ movement, yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates are complemented by a quarterly Sunday Educational Series. These programs are coupled with creative and fun activities such as singing, poetry, and meditation sessions for individuals and families impacted by Parkinson disease.
The Center is also committed to research to better understand the nature of Parkinson disease and related movement disorders. Researchers at the Center are actively researching new areas to better address symptoms and improve treatment options for those living with Parkinson disease and other movement disorders.
Our Philosophy of Interdisciplinary Care :
The NYU Parkinson and Movement Disorders Center is founded on the belief that persons with Parkinson’s and their families are best cared for by an expert and dedicated team of health care professionals, working together to enhance quality of life. The team provides specialty care for those living with PD, attending to the physical, emotional and social aspects of the individual and family. The Center staff is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care throughout every stage of the disease.
The Center’s core team consists of neurologists, physiatrists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists and social workers. The services of other professionals such as neuro-psychologists are also used when needed.
The Center also has a fitness team, specially trained in Parkinson disease, through a partnership with Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, located on 76th street and Amsterdam Avenue. The NYU/JCC Parkinson Wellness fitness
team works to enhance functioning and physical strength through
specialty classes in Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga and Nia, a dance movement
class. These fitness classes
are available to persons with PD who register and are found qualified
to enroll in the appropriate class. Personal trainers with knowledge in
Parkinson are also available.
Core members of the Center's interdisciplinary healthcare team include:
Neurologists- are physicians who specialize in disorders of the brain and the nervous system. A movement disorder specialist is a neurologist who has completed additional training in movement disorders such as PD. They provide assessment, prescribe and monitor medications and make referrals and recommendations for care.
Occupational therapists (OT)-help individuals with activities of daily living to include feeding, bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, transfers, writing and activities in the workplace. An occupational therapist can address issues of safety, balance, coordination, and improved functioning in the home. An OT may recommend compensatory strategies, adaptive devices, and/or exercises to help regain or preserve motor and other skills to promote self-reliance and increased independence.
Physiatrists- physicians who specialize in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. They oversee the treatment team and coordinate the physical and medical management of each individual patient. A physiatrist can monitor the patient’s therapeutic response, and makes adjustments in medications or the treatment plan to promote optimum function and enhance quality of life.
Physical therapists (PT)- healthcare professionals who evaluate and treat those problems affecting gait and mobility such as balance, strength, posture, flexibility and endurance. They coordinate individual and goal-specific exercise programs and therapeutics to enhance function. Physical therapists can also help families by teaching them safe, effective, and efficient ways to provide assistance.
Psychiatrists- physicians who specialize in treating mental and behavioral disorders. Because each person is unique, psychiatrists perform comprehensive assessment and develop a treatment plan tailored to each person’s need and beliefs. Recommended treatments can include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and medications to help specific symptoms and behaviors.
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)- healthcare professionals trained to assess, manage and treat speech, voice, memory and swallowing problems. Treatment with an SLP can improve problems with communication, thinking and swallowing. The Speech-Language Pathology Department at NYU/Rusk provides treatment including the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program, which has been specially designed for those with PD. NYU/Rusk’s Swallowing Center provides evaluation and treatment focused on improving swallowing function.
Social workers (SW)- healthcare professionals who conduct psychological and social assessments of individuals, couples and families to assess the range of needs persons may have, and help plan with those concerned for the best way to address these needs. They provide individual, couple and family counseling as well as lead support groups to help persons cope with stressful life events and live with chronic illness. Social workers assist persons and families in connecting with a variety of community resources and in planning for the future.
