Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disease that affects the brain’s nervous system. The nerve cells (neurons) gradually break down and die. 

Often called the movement disorder, Parkinson’s symptoms include:

• Tremor
• Stiffness
• Walking and Balance issues
• Speech Changes
• Slowed movements

PD is a lifelong and progressive disease, which means that symptoms slowly worsen over time.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase awareness about the ailment and its symptoms, as well as to support victims.

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to learning healthy ways to manage stress. Everyone experiences stress, the most common experiences become a mental or emotional strain.

Continuous stress can have negative effects on your body. When placed in a stressful situation, stress hormones enter the bloodstream, leading to an increase in blood pressure and glucose levels. Learning positive ways to cope with stress can go a long way to living a healthy and positive life. 

Here are some ideas to help cope with stress

• Create healthy routines such as regular physical activity and getting plenty of sleep
• Discuss your issues with a confidant
• Recognize when it’s time to get professional help

This April we proudly recognize National Autism Month! Let’s celebrate the resilience of those with autism & applaud their unique talents! Let’s create better awareness by informing and encouraging communities to celebrate differences, and become more inclusive of individuals with autism. 

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech & nonverbal communication. It is reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with ASD. 

Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development including, improving learning, communication, and social skills, as well as underlying cerebral development. Many children affected by autism also benefit from other interventions such as speech and occupational therapy.

Through the use of therapeutic everyday activities, occupational therapy treats the physical and developmental ailments that impact the ability to perform day-to-day tasks. April is Occupational Therapy Month celebrates the holistic and custom approach to making independence possible. 

Occupational Therapists have studied the movements to make a safe transition and improve weakened muscles. Through their expertise, they help their patients overcome daily performance obstacles such as eating and bathing through repetitive tasks. 

When long-term wear of joints and muscles requires rehabilitation, these medical professionals provide the necessary excises to get us back into our daily routine. We wish them a very Happy Occupational Therapy Month!

National Physicians Week is celebrated from March 25th to the 31st. It gives us a moment to honor the hardworking men and women who took an oath to ethically help others heal. 

Doctors have completed years of schooling and make difficult decisions while managing to care for their patients with kindness and focus. Every day, these dedicated individuals provide quality care. They listen to symptoms, watch and analyze signs, to consult and make decisions to keep our community healthy. 

Take time this week to thank these devoted physicians for working tirelessly and making tremendous sacrifices to heal their patients.

Brain injuries are fall-related damage to the brain through impact to the head or penetration of sharp objects. National Brain Injury Awareness Month raises awareness of the significant cause of brain injuries and eliminates the stigma for those with brain injuries. 

There are two types of brain injuries; Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) are associated with pressure on the brain. It could come from tumors or neurological illnesses caused by strokes. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are caused by external forces, such as a hard impact to the head causes the brain to move inside the skull.

Brain injuries are an issue that affects older people, as they have a higher chance of fall-related injuries. Learning the signs of a head injury and when to seek medical attention can mean the difference between mild and severe injuries. 

It’s also important to remember to eliminate the stigma of having a brain injury. People are not their injuries.

Patient safety is a public health concern, as everyone interacts with the health care system. Every detail matters when it comes to providing the highest quality care that is safe and error-free. Patient Safety Awareness Week aims to acknowledge the steps needed to improve patient safety while recognizing the work already being done to protect health care patients.

This week we thank the contributions professionals have made in advancing patient safety, reducing uncertainty, and maximizing value.

Celebrated annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day commemorates the historic journey all women have embarked to accomplish. In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell, MD became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. According to the United States Census, women now hold more than 75% of healthcare jobs.

We are proud and grateful for the strong and courageous women in our lives, our workplaces, and our communities. Thank you for always safeguarding our health, and for all the amazing work done for the healthcare industry. Happy International Women’s Day!

March is Social Work Month, a time that recognizes the dedication and empathy social workers deliver while providing services to those in need. Social workers provide support to people of all backgrounds, in our communities. They guide us through the obstacles and help lift us out of the potholes.

Social workers provide a voice for equal rights for the weakest of us and connect us to resources when we are in need. They touch millions of lives each day and it is likely a social worker at some time will assist you, a family member, or a friend.

Social workers continue to work on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, helping patients get the health care they need and helping loved ones overcome grief and loss. Take some time out this month to recognize social workers and the great things they do.

Recreational therapy uses activities such as music and crafts to stimulate and improve overall health. This type of therapy has been found to have social, physical, and cognitive benefits. Recreational Therapists help individuals improve their range of motion, build relationships and increase mental alertness through a range of activities and community-based interventions.

February is Recreational Therapy Month to raise awareness of the positive impact recreational program have on people.