Anyone living with Parkinson’s in the Ross-shire area is encouraged to get along to a special exercise class at Dingwall Leisure Centre, designed to help keep people active and manage symptoms.
High Life Highland delivers several Parkinson’s exercise classes across the area, with this recently introduced class at Dingwall Leisure Centre adding to the offering.
NHS Highland estimates that there are around 600 people in the Highland area living with Parkinson’s and there are thought to be around 13,000 across the whole of Scotland. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and happens when the brain cells that make dopamine start to die. There are more than 40 different symptoms associated with Parkinson’s including a tremor, pain, issues with balance, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
At Dingwall Leisure Centre on Monday afternoons (3pm-4pm) people can take part in specially designed classes with a qualified instructor that will help them to manage and take control of their symptoms. The sessions also offer people the chance to connect with others who are living with Parkinson’s, allowing them to share their experiences.
High Life Highland has been providing ongoing support for participants of Parkinson’s exercise programmes across the Highlands for several years, working closely with NHS Highland to ensure that people affected by Parkinson’s have a choice of ways to keep active.
It is well understood that if people can keep active it can significantly improve functional capacity, fitness and quality of life as well as reducing the risk of ill health, disease recurrence, deterioration of condition, risk of falling and even acute hospital admissions whilst also helping to manage symptoms.
Class instructor Liz McLardy explained: “Exercise is an important part of healthy living for everyone, but for people with Parkinson’s, exercise is medicine! Physical activity has been shown to improve many symptoms, from balance and mobility issues to depression, constipation and even thinking skills. Recent studies suggest that exercise may actually help slow the progression of the Parkinson’s.
“Also, it doesn’t matter what stage of Parkinson’s a person is at – they can still benefit from physical activity and all the exercises can be tailored to suit the individual. So if anyone thinks they or a relative would benefit, please come along.”
For more information about the classes, please contact Dingwall Leisure Centre on tel: 01349 781552 or email: [email protected]
Image information: Parkinson’s class regulars Alice Cleland, Ian McNeil and Allan Pearks with instructor Liz McLardy.
