Carrera benefits from Parkinsonâ??s therapy at The Westchester House

Charlotte Carrera, a long-term resident at The Westchester House in Chesterfield, Missouri, was experiencing a functional decline due to Parkinson's disease when therapy helped turn her life around.

Carrera began rehabilitation on Sept. 27, 2017, to increase her independence and keep her Parkinson's symptoms at bay. Physical and occupational therapists used a cross trainer, ankle weights and the Kinesis resistance machine to help her work on strengthening her muscles and increasing her range of motion for daily movements. Speech therapists worked with her on her speech and critical thinking skills.

"Before I started therapy, I felt dizzy and unbalanced when walking," Carrera remembered. "I feel more balanced and less dizzy now. I feel that my memory has become better from speech therapy. We have good therapists."

Carrera now walks to meals with restorative therapy and is able to do more activities without assistance.

"Charlotte always came to therapy willing to work with a smile on her face," said Molly Dunsworth, assistant director of rehab.