FREMONT, NE — Nye Square, part of Nye Health Services, is pleased to announce the launch of its new SPEAK OUT!® Class, a specialized speech therapy program designed to support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions in maintaining and improving their communication and swallowing abilities. The program is led through Nye Therapy & Wellness, which provides a dedicated speech-language pathologist at each campus to ensure consistent, person-centered care across the continuum of services. At Nye Square, the SPEAK OUT!® program is facilitated by Jessica Gillen, a licensed SPEAK OUT!® Provider with Nye Therapy & Wellness. Under her clinical guidance, participants engage in structured voice and speech exercises designed to strengthen communication skills and improve quality of life.
Developed by the Parkinson Voice Project, the SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program combines education, individualized speech therapy, SPEAK OUT!® group classes, daily home practice, and ongoing follow-up care. The goal is to help individuals with Parkinson’s and related disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing function for life.
“Up to 90% of people with Parkinson’s are at risk of losing their ability to speak. In addition, swallowing complications account for 70% of the mortality rate in this patient population. Our vision at Parkinson Voice Project is to make quality speech therapy accessible to people with Parkinson’s worldwide,” said Samantha Elandary, Parkinson Voice Project’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to the SPEAK OUT!® Class, Nye Square also hosts a monthly Parkinson’s Support Group, offering a welcoming environment for individuals and families to share experiences, resources, and encouragement. “This program is about restoring confidence in communication,” said Gillen. “Speech is essential to connection, independence, and dignity, and SPEAK OUT!® gives participants the tools to maintain those abilities long-term.”
The SPEAK OUT!® Class is free and open to the community, reinforcing Nye Health Services’ commitment to accessible, high-quality care and community engagement. For more information about the weekly SPEAK OUT!® Class in Fremont, please call 402-753-6130.
About Nye Health Services
Nye Health Services provides compassionate, person-centered care that enhances the health and well-being of older adults across Nebraska. Guided by our mission to celebrate life through exceptional service and innovative leadership in personalized care, we support individuals and families at every stage of aging with dignity, respect, and innovation. We offer a full continuum of services—including Assisted Living, Independent Living, Short-Term Skilled Care, Long-Term Care, Respite Care, Outpatient Therapy, and Memory Care—designed to promote independence, safety, and quality of life. Across six welcoming, home-like campuses in Nebraska, including Fremont, Norfolk, Louisville, and Lincoln, we are committed to helping residents feel comfortable, supported, and truly at home.
About Parkinson Voice Project
Parkinson Voice Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization solely dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s and related disorders REGAIN and RETAIN their speech and swallowing. The organization provides SPEAK OUT! Booklets, online SPEAK OUT! Home Practice Sessions, and a weekly Parkinson’s Sing-Along to complement the speech therapy they will receive at Nye Square. The organization is headquartered in Richardson, Texas, and has trained over 11,500 SLPs and 16,600 students in more than 50 countries. For information, visit www.ParkinsonVoiceProject.org.