Key partnership bringing the best in Parkinson’s Disease care to Arizonans

7/8/2025

Expanding its partnership with the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Banner Neuro Wellness recently received a generous two-year innovation grant to support additional programming for all three of its Arizona locations – Gilbert, Sun City and Tucson.

“The American Parkinson Disease Association has been a funding partner of Banner Neuro Wellness for the last five years, providing financial support for Banner’s Parkinson’s supportive programs through our grant program,” explains APDA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications Eloise Caggiano. “We’ve also collaborated closely with the Banner team on programs such as our Social Work Office Hours that offers one-on-one support for people with Parkinson’s and their families, safety evaluations and physical therapy services, cognitive assessments and wellness workshops, speech therapy, respite services and an annual care partner retreat.”

Understanding movement disorders

In Arizona, approximately 3.35 people out of every 1,000 have Parkinson’s Disease, with the direct and indirect costs to care for those with Parkinson’s in Arizona is $1.2 billion. Currently, there is no cure for neuro degenerative movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s. “Medication may help with symptoms and formal therapy helps, but is prescribed for a short period of time. The only thing that can change the course of the illness is ongoing disease- specific exercise and activities,” says Annette Kluge, Associate Director of Outreach at Banner Neuro Wellness Center in Gilbert. “Through philanthropy, Banner Neuro Wellness can provide an ongoing, sustainable therapeutic exercise and activities accessible to individuals throughout their continuum. It also empowers us to hire educated, skilled and certified instructors, while providing services to the community for a nominal fee that doesn’t add an undue burden to our participants who are on a fixed income.”

The three Banner Neuro Wellness locations offer programs to increase quality of life for members and their families. Each gym is a dynamic, innovative, community-based, multi-dimensional center offering state-of-the-art programs that complement current medical treatments and therapies. Through membership at Banner Neuro Wellness, participants and families have access to disease-specific exercise, a sense of community and increased socialization.

The gyms employ certified exercise physiologists offering PWR!® fitness training. This program utilizes the Exercise4BrainChange® principles to optimize brain repair, brain recognition and skill acquisition for individuals with PD. Several levels of PWR! classes are offered to meet the specific needs of every member. Additional exercise classes are available to members upon completion of a one-on-one evaluation. These classes include boxing (non-contact), Tai Ji Quan, dance, fitness training, flex core, music therapy, speaking groups and yoga.

How the APDA grant will be used to innovate

Banner Neuro Wellness envisions being a one-stop-shop for Arizonans dealing with neurodegenerative movement disorders across its three existing campuses. “Our goal over the next two years is to elevate our Tucson and Sun City wellness centers to the same level of service delivery and operational capacity as our Gilbert campus, ensuring all locations provide consistent, high-quality care,” Kluge explains. “In addition, we will introduce new therapeutic interventions, ensuring access to the most advanced technology for disease management. By offering fully integrated continuum of care services under one roof, we offer patients seamless clinical, therapeutic, habilitative and community services for the individual and family.”

Explaining the continuing collaboration with Banner Health, Eloise Caggiano says: “It’s been a very successful and beneficial partnership – and the biggest winners are the people in the local Arizona Parkinson’s community. We’re grateful for Banner’s partnership. Together, we’re able to reach more Arizonans who are in need of Parkinson’s care, support and education.”

To learn more, visit Banner Neuro Wellness in Gilbert.