UGEC Fireside Chat - The Benefits of Exercise for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia

Amy Powell-Versteeg is a faculty member with the University of Utah (UofU) Department of Physical Therapy (PT) and Athletic Training. She has worked as a clinician with older adults for over 20 years. In 1998, Amy earned her Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) degree from the Salt Lake Community College. She received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Anthropology in 2020, and a Masters in Gerontology from the UofU in 2022. Amy works to reduce ageism and facilitate  interest in geriatric care through experience-based, intergenerational learning opportunities such as the Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Boot Camp; an intensive exercise boot camp for older adults living with PD and PT students. For more than 10 years, she has managed an exercise group for persons with PD, and is currently a faculty advisor for a student-run wellness board at the UofU Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training.