Parkinson's Program

The Cabrini Parkinson’s Program specialises in working with people with Parkinson’s and similar movement disorders. As a team, we help patients address the difficulties and challenges that they may face on an individual basis.

General Inquiries

Phone: (03) 9508 5212
Fax: (03) 9508 5222
Contact parkinsons@cabrini.com.au
Operating Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
(hours may vary for different services)
Referral

Required.

For Patients | For GPs | Referral Form
Downloads

LSVT LOUD Program Brochure

Parkinson's Program Brochure

Locations

Rehabilitation - Elsternwick
2-6 Hopetoun Street, Elsternwick VIC 3185
(03) 9508 5100

About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s Disease has four primary symptoms – tremor, rigidity, balance problems and slowed movement. However, people may experience a range of symptoms beyond these four and may have to deal with challenges such as: 

  • Changes in emotions or mood
  • Difficulty completing daily tasks
  • Difficulty speaking clearly
  • Digestion changes and constipation
  • Memory and thinking changes
  • Pain
  • Reduction of sense of smell
  • Sexual changes
  • Sleep problems
  • Swallowing and saliva problems
  • Toileting frequency and urgency

It’s important to know that living with Parkinson’s is different for everyone. No two people have the same symptoms and many people live for years without experiencing troubling symptoms. However, exercise and strategies are important to help manage challenges that do arise. 

 

Our Parkinson’s Program

The Cabrini Parkinson’s Program will help you manage your symptoms so you can “do what you do” as independently as possible. We will support you, your family and significant others on your journey. Our team has been specifically trained to work with people with Parkinson’s. The team includes:

  • A Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) with many years of experience working with movement disorders. She helps manage your medications and symptoms and find the right support
  • Clinical psychologists for counselling and emotional support
  • Dietitians to advise on dietary management for weight and constipation
  • Neuropsychologists for assessment and advice on thinking or memory changes
  • Occupational Therapists for managing day-to-day tasks and activities, handwriting and equipment
  • Physiotherapists to provide strategies for moving around, walking, balance and posture. They also provide hydrotherapy
  • Psychiatrists who specialise in movement disorders, to manage depression, anxiety and other psychiatric issues
  • Rehabilitation Doctors who have experience managing Parkinson’s patients in hospital and the community
  • Social Workers for help with emotional wellbeing, arranging practical support and aged care services
  • Speech Pathologists for helping speech and communication, swallowing problems and saliva problems such as drooling

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD)

Parkinson’s Disease can cause unclear and quiet speech. LSVT LOUD, named after Mrs. Lee Silverman is a treatment for individuals with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. It was developed in 1987 to support improvements in vocal loudness, intonation, and voice quality for individuals living with Parkinson's Disease. The program exercises the muscles of speech and voice to teach patients how to improve loudness in conversation in order to increase and/or maintain speech clarity in daily communication.

Our LSVT program consists of:

  • One communication assessment
  • 16 one-hour therapy sessions, completed over four weeks
  • Daily home practice
  • Follow up after completion of the program

Who is eligible for LSVT LOUD?

People with neurological conditions such as:

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Atypical Parkinson's Disease: 
    • Multiple System Atrophy (Shy-Drager Syndrome)
    • Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
    • Vascular Parkinsonism
    • Cortico-Basal Ganglionic Syndrome

The program may also be an effective treatment for some people following a stroke. 

Patient feedback BEFORE the program

  • "They didn't hear what I was saying but they were too embarrassed to say.”
  • "I'm no hope in a loud environment.”
  • "I ask her to repeat herself a dozen times an hour.”

Patient feedback AFTER the program

  • “I’m so much more confident now, especially on the telephone.”
  • “I used to sit back but I am now speaking so much more.”
  • “Her quality of life has improved; she’s now calling her friends again.”

Services we offer

The Cabrini Parkinson’s Program offers inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, and home care services.

Inpatient Rehabilitation
Some people are admitted to our Glen Huntly Road rehabilitation facility to address their Parkinson’s symptoms. Others stay for a different health problem but require staff who understand Parkinson’s. Our staff are trained in Parkinson’s management and your therapy and care is tailored accordingly. We regularly care for people following surgery for Deep Brain Stimulation.

Outpatient Rehabilitation 
Outpatient therapy provides advice, support and strategies for your Parkinson’s journey. First, we ask you about your biggest challenges. Then, a plan is designed to address your goals. This plan might include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, social work, neuropsychology or more general advice and education.

Home Care
Our Parkinson’s Program Nurse visits people at home to provide advice for more advanced or complex symptoms. In some cases, other members of our team can also attend to assist with strategies and advice.

Other services at Cabrini
Specialist neurologists implement “advanced therapies” for Parkinson’s at Cabrini. These include Deep Brain Stimulation and Duodopa pumps. Speak to your neurologist or contact our nurse for more information.

 

Resources

  Cabrini Resources   External Resources
Cabrini Rehabilitation LSVT LOUD Global
Cabrini Allied Health Centre
Parkinson's Victoria
Cabrini Speech Pathology