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NAPLES — Barbara Hyder knows how important singing is in her life.

She’s hoping to help people with Parkinson’s disease learn how to sing, which can strengthen their vocal muscles, potentially help their speech and stave off depression.

Hyder is volunteering with the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida to start a singing program and perhaps an instrumental program.

“Some with Parkinson’s have trouble speaking so if we can get them to use their vocal muscles, it can help,” Hyder said. “They can speak more smoothly because of singing.”

Hyder is hosting an organizational meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, for people with Parkinson’s disease who are interested in taking part or who want to play a musical instrument. The meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. at the association’s center, 6226 Trail Blvd., in North Naples.

Another idea is starting a kazoo band, a bell choir and a rhythm group, she said.

Even humming, she said, can strengthen the vocal muscles.

Studies have found that music can help people with Parkinson’s disease with their movement and speech, as well as help with depression, said Jacque Urso, executive director of the local Parkinson’s association.

Residents with Parkinson’s disease who have been involved with the local association may already know Hyder, who serves as the group’s social director to organize monthly outings.

“The people I work with, it is really a joy,” she said.

She has no idea how many people will want to take part in the musical program, although she doesn’t expect a large group in the beginning.

“We have 900 families in Collier County we are working with,” Urso said of her group’s outreach. “We think we haven’t even hit the tip of the iceberg. We should be 3,000 families.”

Urso said one out of every 100 people over the age of 60 is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder of the central nervous system characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, compromised balance and slowness in voluntary movement.

Some younger people are diagnosed with the disease.

“We know we have at least 40 families in the area of younger onset,” Urso said.

In addition to the launch of a music program, the Parkinson’s association is beginning its “fall and balance” classes again with an advanced personal trainer, Marjorie Johnston, at the helm. Class participants meet twice a week for four months.

Johnston is certified in a program called “Fall Proof” developed by the Center for Successful Aging at California State University, Fullerton.

She has modified the balance-training program to reduce the risk of falls to fit people with Parkinson’s, she said.

In the past, the classes were held at the learning center at Moorings Park but the association needs to find a new location. For now, the new “fall and balance” classes will start Sept. 16 at the Parkinson association’s center.

“I am trying to improve their strength and improve their awareness of the elements and (improve) their balance, and give them the tools to help them,” she said. She provides the equipment for the classes.

For more information, contact the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida (239) 254-7791 or go to the group’s Web site at www.pasfi.org.