Life Care Center of Elkhorn’s boxing classes benefit Parkinson’s patients

Patients with Parkinson’s disease often have a hard time with movements, but Life Care Center of Elkhorn, Nebraska, offers them a way to combat that effect of the disease, through boxing!

The facility has been offering the Rock Steady Boxing Omaha program to its residents with Parkinson’s, and to the community, for several years.

“We started the program based off the new Parkinson’s education and classes that were emerging as a way to target community-level clients,” said Michelle Strecker, director of rehab services, who oversees the program.

Rock Steady Boxing offers a non-contact, boxing-inspired fitness routine that provides encouragement and teaches participants to move their bodies in all planes of motion. Emphases are placed on coordination, strength, balance, endurance and walking/stepping.

During the pandemic, Life Care Center of Elkhorn put the classes on pause and then resumed them via Zoom in March 2021. The facility is excited to begin in-person sessions again starting July 12.

“We are looking forward to it,” said Strecker. “This will offer higher intensity with more class interaction.”

Classes will be held each Tuesday at 3 p.m. The first trial class is always free.

Email Michelle at Michelle_Strecker@lcca.com for more information or to register.