Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
About 25 years ago I was working in physical rehabilitation and met Dr Jankovic in Houston, TX and heard him speak and saw him demonstrate treatment for Parkinson’s patients. From then on, I had an interest in helping Parkinson’s patients because I knew they would live a long time with Parkinson’s disease.
Can you tell me more about your organization?
LifeCare Therapy Services is a fully interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation combining the disciplines of speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The central component of LifeCare is the maintenance of functional mobility and that is why we have a specific program with the latest technologies for Parkinson’s patients.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Our passion at LifeCare is the patient. Helping them live their best life. They can only live their best life if they are able to make it through a very complicated journey or doctors, medicines, services, therapy, wellness, and education. They cannot miss any of those components and experience their best life as they live with Parkinson’s disease. I have a passion for helping them coordinate those things. It is a fully interdisciplinary approach not just services, not just exercise but a complete understanding of access to wellness.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
The first goal is to understand that mobility can be improved and maintained long term with the right therapeutic intervention. Speech and mobility go hand and hand. Focus on those goals with the coordinated effort as we described earlier, and the patient can live their best life.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
The program depends on the Individual needs of the patient and the best one on one program based on those needs. The various disciplines of therapy all working together to maximize mobility, function, and safety, Caregiver education and Wellness for both patient and family.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Because of the approach it creates patient improvements but also incorporates family education and training and an overall family and patient wellness. Not just improving but maximal improvement.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
Continuing development with social and emotional wellness along with therapies is one goal I would like to see LifeCare provide and grow.
What events do you participate in?
I speak at events both locally and nationally. We have local support groups, lectures, and speakers available for groups. Finally, patients and families have access to us anytime for care assessments.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
Caregivers are so important we call them care partners. It must be a cohesive family and community approach for the greatest amount of Parkinson’s wellness.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Please visit www.lifecaretherapy.com or call 866-718-5757 for information or services in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties
Biography…. Matthew Green is President of LifeCare Therapy Services. He has been providing services and lectures to the patient and professional community for over 30 years. Matt has worked nationally over the last 25 years with some of the leading Movement Disorder physicians in developing programs for the Parkinson’s patient. As a member of the Elder Law section of the Florida Bar he lectures frequently on issues and concerns facing the growing population of older adults. With a certification in ergonomics from the University of Michigan, Masters in Physiology and Law degree from the University of Miami, Matt brings a unique and interdisciplinary perspective on rehabilitation and disability management.