SPONSORED FEATURE
Fayetteville, Ga. (Feb. 14, 2025) – Nearly 90,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease each year. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that can produce symptoms related to movement, as well as symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and cognitive impairments, among others. Piedmont Fayette Hospital offers a Parkinson’s support group at the Piedmont Wellness Center that currently meets every two months. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at noon.
“In addition to providing some tips for living with Parkinson’s, group members will get access to information about the latest research and treatments, participate in some light wellness activities, and receive emotional support and understanding from folks who are navigating the same journey,” said Lindsey Curtis, a speech pathologist and one of the facilitators of the support group.
Parkinson’s is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. A combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as head injuries, area of residence (Georgia among the highest), exposure to pesticides, and more, are among the causes of Parkinson’s disease.
“Movement tailored for people with the disease can help mitigate symptoms and improve balance, mobility, and daily living,” said Tanya Biles, a physical therapist and the other facilitator of the support group. “That’s why we lead some activities with this group and encourage participation in events like Rock Steady Boxing (also offered at the Piedmont Wellness Center) and Moving Day South, a community walk raising funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation, on March 29.”
Registration at the Moving Day South event begins at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. The walk is open to participants of all ages and abilities who are welcome to walk around the quarter-mile track as few or as many times as they like. There is no registration fee to participate, but participants are asked to register on-line at movingdaywalk.org/communitywalkpiedmontfayette.
“It’s exciting to be able to host an event like this and rally the community’s support for people with Parkinson’s,” said Evan Johnson, M.D., a neurologist and movement disorder specialist at Piedmont Fayette. “It’s important to learn about this disease, some of the risk factors, and how symptoms can be treated.”
Please reach out to pfhparkinsonssupportgroup@piedmont.org if you have any questions about the support group or to register. For more information about neurological services, movement disorders, or Parkinson’s disease, visit piedmont.org/neuro.
About Piedmont
Piedmont is empowering Georgians by changing health care. We continue to fuel Georgia’s growth through safe, high-quality care close to home through an integrated health care system that provides a hassle-free, unified experience. We are a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 12,000 donors annually that for centuries has sought to make a positive difference in every life we touch in the communities we serve. Across our 1,755 physical locations we care for more than 4 million patients and serve communities that comprise 85 percent of Georgia’s population. This includes 25 hospitals, 75 Piedmont Urgent Care centers, 25 QuickCare locations, 1,875 Piedmont Clinic physician practices and nearly 3,200 Piedmont Clinic members. Our patients conveniently engage with Piedmont online, as they scheduled more than 612,000 online appointments and over 163,000 virtual visits. With more than 47,000 care givers we are the largest Georgia-based private employer of Georgians, who all came for the job, but stayed for the people. In 2024 and 2023, Piedmont has earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and also as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, Forbes ranked Piedmont on its list of the Best Large Employers in the United States. In addition, Piedmont provided nearly $390 million in community benefit programming and uncompensated care in Fiscal Year 2023.
For more information, or booking your next appointment, visit piedmont.org.
