Dave Steighner, 64, of Meridian, has had Parkinson's disease for the past three years. He follows YMCA trainer Lou Yossa in the workout during the Exercise for Parkinson's class Monday at the Butler YMCA.

Parkinson's disease can affect nearly every aspect of a person's life.

Beyond the physical effects, the disease also can be socially isolating and mentally taxing. An exercise class specifically for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's is available at the Butler YMCA.

Sandy Ihlenfeld, executive director of the Butler YMCA, brought the class to Butler County eight years ago after she discovered the disease rate for Parkinson's is higher in Western Pennsylvania than almost anywhere else.Parkinson's is a neurological disease that leads to shaking and stiffness. Ihlenfeld said a person's gait shortens and their handwriting gets smaller.The hourlong class, Exercise for Parkinson's, is held Mondays and Wednesdays at the Butler YMCA. Ihlenfeld said the class helps improve participants' physical, mental and emotional health, all aspects of chronic diseases.

Doing simple exercises like bending over or standing up from a squat helps participants extend their range of motion and re-teaches skills that they have lost or are losing due to the disease.“After just the first class, people always tell you they feel better, not as tight,” Ihlenfeld said.Beyond just exercise, Ihlenfeld said the class unintentionally doubles as a sort of support group for participants. The class offers people a chance to spend time with others who also are dealing with the disease.

“The focus is exercise,” Ihlenfeld said, “but there is a lot of talking before and after class, there's an aspect of friendship.”Ihlenfeld said the response to the class has been amazing. Participants' caregivers also can attend the class free of charge, so they can learn the exercises and potentially implement them at home.The biweekly class costs $60 for 10 weeks. Ihlenfeld said it is one of the few Parkinson's-specific services available in the county.

“I don't know of any other things locally,” Ihlenfeld said. “Our goal isn't to make money with this; it's to provide a service to our community.”Other than a class like this, Ihlenfeld said doctors sometimes will prescribe physical therapy or give exercise options to do at home.“Anything that encourages someone to exercise is a good thing,” Ihlenfeld said.The class usually draws six to eight participants and just recently restarted when the state's pandemic restrictions loosened.Those diagnosed with Parkinson's can sign up for the class by going to the Butler YMCA's website, bcfymca.org or calling the YMCA at 724-287-4733.

Trainer Lou Yossa, 77, leads the Exercise for Parkinson's class at the Butler YMCA on Monday. Six to eight participants have started attending the twice-a-week classes again after pandemic restrictions loosened.

From left, Sue Christy, Steven Appel, Regis Rice, Dave Steighner and Sharon Appel take part in the Exercise for Parkinson's class at the Butler YMCA on Monday. The hourlong class is held Mondays and Wednesdays.

Steven Appel of Chicora takes part in the Exercise for Parkinson's class at the YMCA on Monday, January, 11, 2021.