About the Course

Parkinsonism, including bradykinesia (slowness of movement), hypokinesia (small, reduced amplitude movements), rigidity and tremor are common motor features of both Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. These motor symptoms can impact mobility, independence and safety and are often exacerbated by the other non-motor symptoms. Management of these symptoms is complex and requires the expertise of various members of the interdisciplinary health care team to provide the best treatment.

This is the first of LBDA's new “Unpacking” courses which will begin with a live presentation, combined with additional recorded presentations on our Lewy Learning Center about one week following the live event. These courses will offer a deeper dive into more complex topics, presented in smaller lessons, to be watched at your leisure.

Course curriculum

    1. Course Description

    1. Lesson 1: Description

    2. About the Presenter: Jori Fleisher, MD MSCE FAAN

    3. Lesson 1: Slides for download (PDF)

    4. Video Lesson: Unpacking Parkinsonism: Understanding Movement Changes in LBD

    5. Video Lesson: Treatment of Parkinsonism

    6. Video Lesson: Building Your Team

    7. We need your feedback! Please complete the survey for Lesson 1

    1. Lesson 2: Description

    2. About the Presenter: Heather Cianci, PT, MS, GCS

    3. Lesson 2: Slides for download (PDF)

    4. Video Lesson: Understanding Falls in Lewy Body Dementia

    5. Video Lesson: Non-Motor Symptoms and Falls in Lewy Body Dementia

    6. Video Lesson: Optimizing Mobility with Lewy Body Dementia

    7. Video Lesson: Additional Consideration & Resources

    8. We need your feedback! Please complete the survey for Lesson 2

    1. Lesson 3: Description

    2. About the Presenter: Julia Wood MOT, OTR/L

    3. Lesson 3: Slides for download (PDF)

    4. Video Lesson: Overview of Fine Motor Skills and Parkinsonism

    5. Video Lesson: Eating- Fables, Myths & Legends

    6. Video Lesson: Handwriting- Adapting for Success

    7. Video Lesson: Approaches to Daily Tasks & Takeaways

    8. We need your feedback! Please complete the survey for Lesson 3

    1. Lesson 4: Description

    2. About the Presenter: Dawn Heiderscheidt MOT, OTR/L, ECHM, CAPS

    3. Lesson 4: Slides for download (PDF)

    4. Video Lesson: Adapting your Environment for Safety and Success with Lewy Body Dementia

    5. Video Lesson: Common Challenges and Environmental Factors

    6. Video Lesson: Interventions and Solutions

    7. Video Lesson: Safety in Common Areas

    8. Video Lesson: Bathroom Safety

    9. Video Lesson: Safety on Steps

    10. Video Lesson: Bedroom Safety

    11. We need your feedback! Please complete the survey for Lesson 4

    1. Resource: Visual Function in Lewy Body Dementia

    2. Resource: Falls journal to help you track your falls and possible causes.

    3. Resource: AARP HomeFit Guide

    4. Resource: AARP HomeFit Guide

    5. Resource: Safe at Home Checklist

    6. Davis Phinney Foundation Home Safety Checklist

    7. Resource: Lighting the Way: A Key to Independence

    8. Resource: Medicare coverage information regarding rights to access physical, occupational, and speech therapy services.

    9. Resource: This document provides resources to help you find rehabilitation professionals (PT, OT and SLP)

    10. Resource: Move BIG and Speak LOUD with Lewy

    11. Resource: Understanding & Advocating for Your Rights to Rehab Services with Lewy

    12. Resource: Tips to Prevent Falls and Stay Independent as You Age

    13. Resource: Falls and Falls Prevention

About this course

  • 4 hours of video content

Meet Your Instructors

Jori Fleisher, MD, MSCE, FAAN

Dr. Jori Fleisher is a movement disorders neurologist and Associate Professor at Rush University Medical Center, where she directs the Rush Lewy Body Dementia Research Center of Excellence. Her research and clinical leadership focus on interdisciplinary and supportive care models for individuals with advanced neurodegenerative diseases. A nationally recognized advocate and mentor, Dr. Fleisher is committed to improving access, education, and quality of life for patients and families.

Heather Cianci, PT, MS, GCS

Heather Cianci is the founding therapist of the Dan Aaron Parkinson’s Rehabilitation Center at Pennsylvania Hospital, part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center. A board-certified geriatric physical therapist, Heather has specialized in Parkinson’s care since 1994. She serves as an LSVT® BIG Faculty Instructor for LSVT Global, Inc., and co-coordinates the Parkinson’s Foundation Team Training Program. Heather is an accomplished author, educator, and researcher who brings decades of experience to advancing exercise and rehabilitation for people living with Parkinson’s and related dementias.

Julia Wood, MOT, OTR/L

Julia Wood is an occupational therapist and educator specializing in Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. She currently serves as Director of Professional and Community Education for the Lewy Body Dementia Association and as faculty for the LSVT BIG® program. Julia co-authored the American Occupational Therapy Association’s first Practice Guideline for Adults with Parkinson’s Disease and plays an active role in international education and advocacy. Her career is dedicated to empowering individuals and care partners through evidence-based rehabilitation and community engagement.

Dawn Heiderscheidt, OTR/L, ECHM

Dawn Heiderscheidt is an occupational therapist, home modification specialist, and founder of Aurora Independence, a mobile consulting practice helping individuals age safely in place. With extensive experience in rehabilitation and universal design, she provides personalized home safety assessments and collaborates on accessibility-focused construction projects throughout the Philadelphia region. Drawing from her professional expertise and personal caregiving experience, Dawn is passionate about helping clients achieve independence and comfort at home. She is also a national educator for healthcare and remodeling professionals.