Parkinson's disease rehabilitation and resources - WTOC 11
April 8, 2026 — It is estimated that 90,000 people are diagnosed annually with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. While there isn't a cure for Parkinson's, therapy and exercise can help manage the disease. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton spoke with WTOC-11 about the therapy and resources the hospital provides to those living with Parkinson's.
“We are Parkinson's certified through the Joint Commission,” said Ellen Glazer, senior speech-language pathologist. “That means we provide a level of excellence for our Parkinson's patients here. We do that through a lot of different ways. We have a ton of medical support staff that manage the medical condition, as well as rehabilitation nurses.”
Encompass Health Bluffton has a multidisciplinary care team consisting of physical, occupational and speech therapists that work to restore independence for Parkinson's patients. In the activities of daily living suite — where therapists work on daily tasks — Glazer said therapists focus on skills such as getting in and out of bed, sitting up safely, getting food out of a refrigerator and washing dishes.
“It [practicing daily tasks] gives them a lot of meaning and joy to have that independence,” Glazer said. “If you can't get up by yourself, in therapy, we practice that independence so they can have success at home.”
Jane Kaman, who leads the Bluffton Parkinson's support group at the hospital, knows the importance of connecting with others in similar circumstances. Kaman's husband lived with Parkinson's for 18 years and recently passed away.
“It did help to see and to hear other people and hear their stories,” Kaman said.
Kaman often invites an encouraging speaker to the support group; other times, the meetings are purely social.
“It's a socialization group which is important in Parkinson's,” Kaman said. “We meet and leave happy.”
The support group is open to the public and meets at Encompass Health Bluffton every fourth Thursday of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. Those interested in inpatient rehabilitation can contact the hospital's admissions office at 843-836-8204.