The Cookeville Putnam County Senior Center has started a new program specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Director Maxine Frasier said it is though a group called Rock Steady Boxing that provides trained professionals to local affiliates.
“That boxing helps create dopamine in their brain which is what is missing when you have Parkinson’s,” Frazier said. “Every single one of them improves and the camaraderie of the group is unbelievable.”
Frasier said over 10 people are already participating in the exercises. Frasier said they come to the center about three times a week and take part in a mixture of yoga, boxing and tai chi.
Frasier said she wanted to bring the program to Cookeville after a friend asked about it starting. Frasier said that is when she reached out to the Parkinson’s Foundation to make it happen.
Frasier said the Putnam senior center is the only location that offers the program in the region. Frasier said it is free to attend as long as you are a center member.
