UConn Health\u2019s Parkinson\u2019s Disease and Movement Disorders Center<\/a> at the Brain and Spine Institute Selvadurai and her colleagues diagnose and treat those with Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n\u201cEarly diagnosis can lead to better access to education, resources, and specialized treatments. Exercise is the best way to slow the progression of disease. Medications including oral and a new FDA approved injection are used to treat the symptoms and other options include exercise, physical therapy and occupational therapy,\u201d says Selvadurai.<\/p>\n
There is also brain stimulation surgery for patients with Parkinson\u2019s disease. This has been proven to improve quality of life in patients, reduce medication burden, reduce the number of falls and symptom fluctuation.<\/p>\n
We have a robust Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD) clinic that provides multidisciplinary attention to patients and families living with PD. We offer social services, neurorehabilitation, and supportive care and planning services integrated into the same environment, allowing for continuity of care. The<\/p>\n
In addition to managing Parkinson\u2019s, David recently underwent a knee replacement at UConn Health and worked hard in physical therapy to regain strength. Now, he\u2019s back at the gym several times a week through the Silver Fox program at the Bristol Senior Center. He uses the treadmill, rowing machine, and elliptical to stay active.<\/p>\n
\u201cExercise is key,\u201d Swarts says. \u201cJust keep moving. That\u2019s my motto.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also trying new medications and staying involved in the Parkinson\u2019s community. Last week, he attended a local support group where he performed a humorous skit and shared a booklet he wrote on life with Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing others at different stages helped me reflect on my own progress,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s important to stay connected and keep a sense of humor.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of Swarts biggest motivations? His family. He recently ordered a rollator walker so he can attend his grandsons\u2019 track meets at Bristol Central High School. \u201cI don\u2019t want to miss out,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also explored dance therapy, and a local group called ParkiPong, which combines table tennis with community support. He credits these experiences, and his attitude, for helping him stay strong, both physically and mentally.<\/p>\n
As we mark Parkinson\u2019s Awareness Month, Swarts\u2019s story is a reminder that while Parkinson\u2019s brings challenges, it also brings opportunities: to grow, to connect, and to keep moving.<\/p>\n
\u201cFocus on the disorder and deal with it,\u201d he says. \u201cDon\u2019t succumb.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cManaging Parkinson\u2019s requires a coordinated, team-based approach. At UConn Health, we bring together a multidisciplinary team and foster an environment where patients feel truly empowered to take an active role in their care,\u201d says Dr. Selvadurai.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Every April, Parkinson\u2019s Awareness Month shines a light on the more than 10 million people worldwide living with Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":229506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2288,179],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[2209],"class_list":["post-229484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-neurology","category-uconn-health"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-08 01:00:04","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=229484"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":229499,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229484\/revisions\/229499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/229506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=229484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=229484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=229484"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=229484"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=229484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}