Rehabilitation course for persons with movement disorders

Kela provides rehabilitation courses for adults with movement disorders. The rehabilitation is multidisciplinary and group-based.

The course provides life management support and advice on how to come to terms with the challenges caused by the illness as well as help with practical problems. A requirement for participating in the course is that you are motivated to take part in group-based rehabilitation.

The rehabilitation course is suitable for you, if

• you have been diagnosed with a movement disorder and the initial treatment period has ended or your condition is otherwise stable
• your disorder limits your working or functional capacity, making it difficult for you to carry out everyday tasks
• you are able to function independently enough to be able to participate in the course programme for 5 hours per day.

The course is not suitable for you, if

• you have cognitive or mental health symptoms that make it very difficult for you to cope with the rehabilitation
• your illness prevents you from actively participating in the rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is arranged for the following target groups:

• persons with dystonia
• persons with primary ataxias
• persons with Parkinson’s disease
  • under 68 year olds who have recently been diagnosed and who are in the early stages of the illness (have had a disorder for less than 5 years)
  • over 68 year olds who have recently been diagnosed and who are in the early stages of the illness (have had a disorder for less than 5 years)
  • persons who have had a movement disorder for a longer period of time (over 5 years).

Purpose of the course

The aim of the course is to provide support and guidance and to help you cope in everyday life. The course aims to increase your resources and skills so that you are able to participate in activities in your own living environment.

Content of the course and implementation

The rehabilitation is implemented as group rehabilitation taking each client’s individual goal and need for rehabilitation into consideration.

The course includes group discussions and working in small groups, a variety of activities as well as interviews, meetings and discussions with rehabilitation experts.

The rehabilitation is arranged on the service provider’s premises. The course lasts 15 days and it is divided into 5-day periods. An adult family member or other loved one joins you for the first and last period of the course. You can stay overnight at the place of the rehabilitation or travel there from home each day.

The service provider contacts you before and after the rehabilitation and between the rehabilitation periods.

Course personnel

The course is implemented by the following experts:

• neurologist
• registered nurse or public health nurse
• psychologist or neuropsychologist
• physiotherapist.

Depending on your individual needs, other rehabilitation professionals and assisting personnel may also take part.

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