If you don’t use it, you lose it.
Sabrina “Coach B*” Benoit, fitness director of Sumter Senior Living, uses the phrase at the end of class with the Parkinson’s Movement Matters program as a reminder of the benefits of exercising the body and vocal cords.
The program is part of a network of at least 15 Parkinson’s support groups and activities in the tri-county area and offers education, conversation and exercise for those diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder that affects movement.Common in people over 65, Parkinson’s affects about 1.1 million Americans — with 80,000 living in Florida, according to UF Research.
Offered from 2 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Sumter Senior Living, residents of the senior living community and those in surrounding areas are able to participate in the bi-weekly program hosted in partnership with Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc., who provides on site rehabilitation.
Weights, resistance bands and other exercise equipment are provided for participants, with equipment available for about 40 people.
“It’s humbling because at the beginning I was a little nervous and not sure I was qualified for this,” Benoit said. “I have people in the class that go to several other programs for Parkinson’s prevention and they said this is one that they keep coming back to.”
“Our first class only had 12 people and only two nonresidents,” she said. “Now, we’ve had six to 12 non-residents during any given class and the most we have had at one time is 20 nonresidents.”
Class typically begins with a 15-minute conversation lead by Hope Stickley, Legacy Healthcare Services senior rehab director and physical therapy assistant for, who shares educational information and listens as attendees share personal knowledge.
Benoit then leads nearly 45-minutes of movements, focusing on functional exercises that can make day-to-day life easier including foot kicks, for taking off your shoes before bed or arm stretches, for reaching for something in the cabinets.
Wanda Pierce, of the Village of Amelia, said she learned about the bi-weekly class from Lake Centre For Rehab Physical Therapy at Lake Sumter Landing.
Pierce said one of the first things the noticed is how the class is open to all fitness levels — with Benoit often saying “don’t worry about me or your neighbor,” or “if that is what’s comfortable, that’s what you should do” during class.
“It was great you don’t have to follow by speed, you just do what you can,” Pierce said, explaining she attends the class to better her balance.
Heather Adams, Sumter Senior Living sales director, said the Parkinson’s Movement Matters Program helps build community.
“We are trying to make people feel this is home, it’s not ‘like home,’” she said. “We like being an open campus where people can join us for activities.”Jo-Ann and Rod Campbell, of the Village of Osceola Hills at Soaring Eagle Preserve, have been attending classes with the program for seven months after reading about it in The Daily Sun.
Rod, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, said being able to sit down and work at his own pace in the class has been really helpful.
The Campbell’s arrived to the Jan. 13 class with several gifts won during a party celebrating the one year anniversary of the Parkinson’s Movement Matters Program on Jan. 9.
“We had six tickets, by the end of the event we won four prizes,” Jo Ann said. “We decided to bring them to share with our friends here.”
At the end of the class, Benoit gave a reminder to sign up for Moving Day The Villages, the local leg of a nationwide fundraising and awareness campaign hosted by the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Funds raised during the Moving Day fundraiser will be used by Parkinson’s Foundation Florida Chapter for Parkinson’s research, education and outreach events in the state.
Angela Watkins, Parkinson’s Foundation Florida Chapter development manager, said “the goal of the event is to bring the community together.”
“All of our events are to get people up and moving,” Watkins said. “People with Parkinson’s know if you stay moving and exercising, it provides a great way to slow down progression of the disease.”
During the Moving Day at The Villages at 9 a.m. on March 14, people can choose to do a 1-mile walk or a half-mile walk at The Villages Polo Club, 700 Buena Vista Blvd.
Golf cart assistance will be available and provided by the polo club, with 25 seats available. People can also drive their personal golf cart to the event, but personal golf carts are not allowed to be on the field.
To jump start fundraising efforts for 2026 season, the Parkinson’s Foundation hosted the Moving Day kickoff party from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 15 at Bradenton Recreation.
The event was held in support from local groups including: FMK Hospitality Group, Island Fin Poké Company, Evelyn and Arthur, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Prima Italian Steakhouse, RedSauce and The Legacy Restaurant at Nancy Lopez Country Club.
Along with food, drinks, raffles and bingo, the event included a celebratory cheer for the top two teams fundraising teams ahead of March 14: Parkinson’s Educators led by Ed Smith and Sandy and Friends led by Sandy and Victor Hidalgo.
During the Jan. 15 event, Victor shared the ways he and his wife involved their friends in family in efforts to raise $3,341, leading them to become one of the top fundraising team. The Parkinson’s Educators has raised $3,467, as of Jan. 16.
Registration for the March 14 Moving Day event is free and can be done at movingdaythevillagesfl.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
