In my next installment of “What I Learned at the IDEA / ACSM Health & Fitness Summit in Denver,” let’s talk about Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This is an issue that is near and dear to me. My father (of blessed memory) had Parkinson’s Disease and I have a client living with it as well. Most of us know someone who lived or lives with it–most notably, the actor Michael J. Fox.

While at the conference, I signed up for a session aimed at trainers who might be working or interested in working with someone living with PD. The session had three speakers: one from the Parkinson’s Foundation, one who is a researcher on PD, and a third who trains people with PD. A young woman with early onset PD was also there to talk about her own experience and to serve as a “client” for the demonstrations. It was an excellent program giving us a mix of information about the disease, how to work with it, and how to find more resources. The most important thing I learned, though, was just how effective exercise can be in delaying the progress of the disease; it is truly remarkable.

One of the ideas that what was stressed to us was to get in touch with local resources for more guidance and education. There are on-line resources and certification programs that are available too. I am accustomed to training with what are called “special populations” in my work with older adults; I have special certification that has taught me the best practices for training this group. Just as I would not train a 70- or 80-year-old in the same way as a student athlete, individuals with PD require a different approach. I knew a tiny bit more than when I went to Denver, but I was inspired to dig a little deeper.

I contacted my local Parkinson’s Foundation and the next day they called me to let me know that one of the best (if not THE best) resources in the United States was located about two miles from my home; they encouraged me to contact InMotion, a free community-based program for people with PD. I called InMotion and got a return call very soon afterward from the co-founder and Chief Program Officer, Ben Rossi. It turns out that we have similar backgrounds although he has been in the fitness industry much longer than I. He invited me to come see the place; this surprised me a little bit since my company, At Home Senior Fitness, could be seen as competition.

Today I visited what I would say is one of the most impressive facilities I have seen in a long time. InMotion has fitness facilities, group therapy, individual therapy, and classes that cater to the entire person. I sat with Ben for a while and discussed my interest and got some great advice about where to go next. It turns out that we really are not in competition; the truth is they are much better at working with people with PD than I will probably ever be. What I can do is help to provide a continuum of treatment for my clients and partner with this organization.

I will do some more digging in the weeks ahead and see if there is a certification program that makes sense for me and my business. In the meantime, it is heartening to know that there are amazing professional, volunteers, and supporters who make this place a hub of activity and healing. It is a resource for those with PD and for those of us who care about and for them.