From exercise to education, support groups to social events, the Philip Shayman Parkinson’s Program provides opportunities to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their families.
To learn more or register for the Philip Shayman Parkinson’s Program, please contact Pnina Levermore, active adults program manager, at 813-291-2253 or pnina.levermore@jewishtampa.com.
The Philip Shayman Parkinson’s Program is a partnership between the Tampa JCCs & Federation, the University of South Florida Health Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, and Tampa General Hospital. The Program is generously supported by a Community Grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation. Currently, more than 300 Parkinson’s disease patients, caregivers and families in the Tampa Bay area engage with the Program each year.
The Philip Shayman Parkinson’s Program offers a wide variety of programs for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families, including:
- Exercise classes led by Parkinson’s-trained fitness instructors to improve participants’ physical condition through aerobic activity, strength training, balance and stretch.
- Support groups, led by a licensed clinical social worker, tailored individually to patients and care partners to enhance coping skills, reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety, and provide opportunities for participants to express themselves.
- Tremble Clefs, a self-named voice therapy group led by a speech pathologist, addresses voice projection, breathing and posture.
- Fine Motor Skills & Handwriting workshop to focus on brain, facial, eye and fine motor control.
- Lunch & Learn education events provide helpful practical information from subject-matter experts.
- Weekly Brain Games to flex memory, strategy, and attentiveness.
- Social events and holiday celebrations to build connection and community, relieving isolation that can lead to depression and anxiety.
Parkinson's Fitness Classes
Weekly LSVT BIG for LIFE
Thursdays, 12:00 PM (SBG – in person only)
Led by Tampa General Hospital BIG for LIFE certified physical/occupational therapists. BIG for LIFE includes 7 BIG Maximal Daily Exercises, practice of functional movements & activities, walking BIG!, and other fun exercises with a focus on the amplitude of movements.
Rock Steady Boxing
Mondays, 1:15 PM (SBG – in person only)
Tuesdays, 1:00 PM (Cohn – in person only)
Tuesdays, 1:30 PM (SBG – in person only)
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM (Virtual)
Wednesdays, 11:00 AM (Cohn – in person only)
Fridays, 1:30 PM (SBG – in person only)
A fun activity that focuses on building strength in the core. Rock Steady Boxing conditions for agility, speed, endurance, and hand-eye coordination.
Stretch & Strengthen with Theresa Martinez
Mondays, 11:00 PM (Cohn + Virtual)
Thursdays, 2:00 PM (Cohn + Virtual)
This class addresses flexibility and neuromotor functions such as balance and gait, coordination, and agility. The class encourages muscular strength and muscular endurance. It is designed to enhance physical and mental balance and coordination.
Let’s Move with Jerry Simon
Mondays, 11:00 AM / Jerry Simon
(Cohn + Virtual)
Just the right amount of challenge with weights, bands, and stretching
Voice Therapy for Parkinson's (VTP) led by Cory O'Brien (Certified Speech Therapist)
Pre-registration Required.
Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00 PM (Cohn + Virtual)
Targets improving the strength of the vocal mechanism to allow for a strong, clear voice. VTP is based on vocal exercises that have proven to be effective for those experiencing voice/speech changes due to Parkinson’s.
Thoughtful Breathing & Meditation with Linda Klug
Tuesdays, 2:30 PM
(SBG + Virtual)
Introduction to breath awareness techniques and mindful meditation to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.
Tai Chi with Charlie Zayas
Fridays, 2:30 PM (Cohn + Virtual)
Tai Chi has been shown to be one of the most effective exercises for improving balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease by using gentle, flowing movements with the breath to improve balance, strength, flexibility, coordination, and motor control. Tai Chi calms all the systems of the body, targeting the nervous system, which helps relieve stress, anxiety and depression.
Yoga for Parkinson's with Michelle Hubbard
Wednesdays, 2:00 PM (SBG + Virtual)
Introduction to breath awareness techniques and mindful meditation to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.
Parkinson's Cycling - Spinning with Yvette Rubenzer
Thursdays, 1:00 PM
(SBG – in person only)
Riding an indoor, stationary bicycle has been shown to reduce Parkinson's motor symptoms by as much as 35%. That’s a good reason to hop on a bike and go for a spin.
Support Groups
All support groups meet every other week
Licensed Clinical Social Worker,
Mindy Bursten.
Care Partner Support Groups exclusively for newly diagnosed caregivers
Monday 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM every other week
Patient Support Groups exclusively for newly diagnosed patients
Monday 10:00 – 11:00 AM every other week
Monday 12:30 – 1:30 PM every other week
Grief Support Groups
Friday 10:15 – 11:15 AM every other week
Patient Support Group
Friday 12:00 – 1:00 PM every other week
Care Partners Support Group
Friday 1:30 – 2:30 PM every other week
Support groups allow participants to develop peer support and exchange information with others struggling with similar challenges.
In group meetings, participants confront difficulties, share thoughts and feelings, as well as resources.
In our Parkinson’s support groups, we aim to develop self-efficacy and provide the opportunities for emotional adaptation. We provide a safe space where peers may express themselves, their struggles and triumphs, and have the opportunity to help other by sharing their own experiences.
Joining a support group is a great way to obtain further resources by hearing the experiences of others.
Social Mixers
Social activities provide supportive social interaction and help give participants a sense of community and belonging. Social events are opportunities for participants to come together and feel empowered, connected, and engaged.
Educational Events
Monthly Lunch & Learn events
Anual Community Education Forum
Opportunities to learn from specialists about a variety of topics of interest to the Parkinson's community.
Other Parkinson's Resources at the JCC
ART LOOKING:
The cognitive power of art (virtual)
Led by facilitators from the Tampa Museum of Art
First Tuesday of the month, 11:00 AM
Art looking can affect brain wave patterns and the nervous system, raise serotonin levels, and enhance brain function. Tampa Museum of Art educators lead participants through the exhibit and discuss the artwork. Docents utilize guided looking techniques to inspire conversation and reflection amongst the participants. Participants will enjoy the therapeutic benefits of having conversations about art and learn from each other.
Brain Games: Jeopardy, Word Find, etc.
Thursdays, 10:15 AM (Virtual)
A fun morning of games and puzzles to engage the brain and sharpen the mind.
Fine Motor Skills & Handwriting Workshop with Cathy Daumen
Fridays, 10:30 AM (Virtual)
Helps reinforce the brain signals to improve eye and hand coordination.
This is a 3-step approach: exercising the large arm/hand muscles, working with the fine motor skills, and exercises to improve handwriting.
All 3 areas need to work together for success.
Parkinson's Writing Circle (Cohn)
Tuesdays (except first Tuesday of the month), 11:00 AM
The Writing Circle workshop offers writing as a healing and recreational exercise for free self-expression, including fiction and creative non-fiction (such as personal essays, memoirs, and family histories to hand down). Writing is accessible to everyone. No experience necessary. The Circle is led by Enid Shomer, a member of our Parkinson’s community and an experienced writer and teacher. If you are curious but aren’t sure, we welcome you to come check it out.
Join USF Health and the Tampa JCCs & Federation for fun classes like
Rock Steady Boxing*,
Tai Chi,
Stretch & Strengthen,
Line Dance
and Chair Yoga.
The Philip Shayman Parkinson's Program Schedule 2023
Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC in South Tampa
522 N. Howard Avenue Tampa, FL 33606
JCC on the Cohn Campus
13009 Community Campus Drive, FL 33625
Virtual
| Mondays | 1:15 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Tuesdays | 1:30 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Tuesdays | 2:30 PM | Thoughtful Breathing and Meditation |
| Wednesdays | 2:00 PM | Yoga for Parkinson's |
| Thursdays | 12:00 PM | Announcing: LSVT BIG for LIFE |
| Thursdays | 1:00 PM | Spinning for Parkinson’s |
| Fridays | 1:30 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Mondays | 11:00 AM | Let's Move |
| Mondays | 3:00 PM | Voice Therapy with Cory O'Brien |
| Tuesdays (except 1st Tuesday of the month) | 11:00 PM | Parkinson's Writing Circle |
| Tuesdays | 1:00 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Wednesdays | 11:00 AM |
Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Wednesdays | 3:00 PM | Voice Therapy with Cory O'Brien |
| Thursdays | 2:00 PM | Stretch & Strengthen |
| Fridays | 2:30 PM | Tai Chi |
*Rock Steady Boxing classes are an affiliate program of Rock Steady Boxing, Inc. Support groups are biweekly; Patient Support Group on Fridays meets weekly
|
Mondays |
11:00 AM | Let's Move with Jerry Simon |
|
Mondays |
3:00 PM | Voice Therapy with Cory O'Brien |
| Tuesdays (1st Tuesday of the month) | 11:00 AM | Art Looking |
| Wednesdays | 10:00 AM | Rock Steady Boxing |
| Wednesdays | 2:00 PM | Yoga for Parkinson's |
| Wednesdays | 3:00 PM | Voice Therapy with Cory O'Brien |
| Thursdays | 10:15 AM | Brain Games |
| Thursdays | 2:00 PM | Stretch and Strengthen |
| Fridays | 10:30 AM | Fine Motor Skills & Handwriting Workshop |
| Fridays | 2:30 PM | Tai Chi with Charlie Zayas |
Rock Steady Boxers Rock
Lunch & Learn with Dr. Aradi
Rock Steady Boxing Class