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Programs, Events, & Resources for February 2023

 
 

Are you a caregiver looking for more support?

 

We have had requests for a monthly virtual Caregiver Support Group. If you are interested in participating, please contact our Program Manager, Ke'yana Hatfield at khatfield@parkinsonassociation.org or call our office at (980) 245-2786. 

 

*NEW CLASS ALERT*

Thanks to a grant from Crosland Foundation, we are offering a free new program in 2023:  “Yoga Tools for Caregivers.” This will be a group of 12 caregivers who will meet twice a month on Thursdays at 2:00pm. The location is Pilates of Charlotte, 10701 McMullen Creek Parkway 2nd Floor, Charlotte, NC  28226 (the venue is generously donating their space). There will be yoga, meditation, mindfulness and group socialization.

 

There are a few spots left to fill. If you are interested in participating in this program, please register with Aminta St. Onge at aminta@yogavibez.com. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to reach out to Aminta.

 

PAC's Virtual Programming

Virtual Support Group

Date: Wednesday, February 1st at 2:00 PM

 

Topic: "Intimacy and Parkinson's disease"

 

Speaker: Teresa Thomas, MS, LMFTA

 

Click here to learn more about PAC's Virtual Support Group Webinars.

Register
 

Wellness Wednesday

Date: Wednesday, February 15th at 2:00 PM

 

Topic: "Freezing of Gait"

 

Speaker: Kathleen Lawrence, DPT

 

Click here to learn more about PAC's Wellness Wednesday Webinars.

REGISTER
 

If you need assistance registering for a program, you can call our office at 980-245-2786 or toll free at 1-866-903-PARK (7275), and a staff member will be happy to help you.

 

**LAST CHANCE FOR FREE ASSISTIVE DEVICES**

These gently used items were donated to PAC for the local Parkinson's community. If you are interested in any of the following items, contact Ke'yana Hatfield at khatfield@parkinsonassociation.org or call our office at (980) 245-2786.

  • 2 x Stand Alone Toilet Safety Rail Assist Handles 
  • 2 x Lumber Support Pillows
  • 2 x Lap Trays
  • 1 x Transfer Bench / Shower Chair
  • 1 x Shower Bench Seat

FUNdraising Events for PAC

 

Bad Daddies Fundraising Concert at the Visulite Theater

February 25th, 2023

8:00 PM-11:00 PM

1615 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

Purchase tickets today for this energetic event! PAC is having a concert to raise money for our mission. 

 

"The Bad Daddies began to work the circuit of backyard birthday parties in South Charlotte. Those initial events evolved into galas, fundraisers, weddings and rehearsal dinners, holiday parties, and now, 15+ years later, 50th birthday parties. They have performed from Charlotte to Nashville and towns across the Southeast. Their musical style is like a massive Shuffle Playlist performed live with sweet harmonies!

Secure Your Tickets HERE
 

Register Today for PAC's 2023 MoveIt! Walks!

 

MoveIt! Walk Charlotte

 

Our annual MoveIt! Walk Charlotte, NC will be Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Symphony Park. For those of you who have attended before you know what a great event it is with live music, yoga, many exhibitors, games, raffle and more. Join us this year for a great day of awareness and fun.

 

 

Register for Charlotte's MoveIt! Walk

 MoveIt! Walk to Wilmington

 

We are excited to bring a new MoveIt! Walk to Wilmington, NC on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Longleaf Park!!  We have some great volunteers that will be helping us bring the best Walk to you. It will feature live music, yoga stretching, pharmaceutical and other exhibitors, kids activity area, prize raffle and so much more.

Register for Wilmington's MoveIt! Walk
 

Local Community Programs

Support for Individuals Living with PD & their Care Partners

 

We have numerous support groups across the Carolinas. If you would like to find out about one near you give us a call at 980-245-2786 and a trained care advisor will assist you. Not ready for a support group? We can connect you one on one with a person with Parkinson’s through our Peer to Peer program.

Movement Therapy Exercise

 

To join one of our in person classes or our virtual Yoga for Parkinson's class, click here to see all locations, dates and times. You’ll also find our recently updated list of regional exercise classes in this same section of our website. 

 

* Disclaimers *

 

As a result of the pandemic, many meetings have been suspended until further notice, and others have pivoted to virtual meetings. Similarly, many classes or facilities still are closed out of an abundance of caution for public safety.

 

We ask that you practice caution when participating in all programs - particularly exercise programs. Talk to your doctor about what program would be best for you, stay hydrated, exercise in a safe environment, move at your own pace, and try to exercise with a partner or an accredited instructor.

 

Do you live in or around Mooresville, NC? If so try out our yoga class, no registration required!

 

Yoga for Parkinson's Exercise Class

 

2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 11:15 A.M. 

 

Yoga:

- improves functional mobility

- promotes better balance

- lessens gait disturbances and motor symptoms

 

Located at: Lake Norman Muay Thai, 107 Commons Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117

 

For more information, call: (704) 657-1080

 
 

Available National Programs

 
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Dance and Sing for PD

 

Classes are now being held online.

 

To learn more,

click here.

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Rock Steady Boxing Headquarters

 

Offers classes online via YouTube!

 

To learn more, click here.

Pedaling for Parkinson's

 

Live Class Schedule:

 

M/W/F with Tom: 11:30 AM CT via Zoom

 

T/TH/SA with John: 8:00 AM  CT via Zoom

 

To join a class,

click here. 

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Poe for PD

 

Offers online Pilates classes!

 

For more information, click here.

Davis Phinney Foundation

Parkinson’s Exercise Essentials

 

To access the video content,

click here.

Stanford Neurosciences Supportive Care Program Virtual Exercise Classes 

 

To access the exercise class schedule, click here.

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Facebook Live Parkinson's Speech Exercises

 

Monday - Friday, 11:00 AM

To learn more,

click here.

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World Parkinson Coalition

 

For articles, webinars, etc., 

visit worldpdcoalition.org.

Smart Patients

Parkinson's Disease Community

In partnership with

American Parkinson Disease Association (ADPA)

 

For more information,

click here.

 

Parkinson's Community News

 

Mediterranean Diets Linked to Reduced Symptom Burden

Better adherence to Mediterranean-style diets is associated with lower patient-reported symptom severity in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study of more than 1,000 patients.

 

Between the two evaluated diets — the Mediterranean (MEDI) and the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) — the MIND diet was linked to greater benefits in symptom reduction.

 

Further analyses of both diets’ components showed that the most beneficial foods were berries, vegetables, nuts, beans, and non-fried fish.

 

Continue Reading On Parkinson's New Today

 

I visualize my Parkinson’s disease as a form of brain injury — specifically to small portions of the midbrain. I imagine the total volume of damaged area to be about the size of a golf ball. This means I have the rest of my brain to use for developing workarounds.

 

For the last eight years, this has been the focus of my research, writing, and personal development of a brain rehab program I call the Parkinson’s self-management toolkit.

I was gifted with just the right training to do this work, with foundations in the multiple disciplines needed to be a researcher, writer, clinician, and teacher.

 

Continue Reading On Parkinson's New Today

Rewiring the Parkinson’s Brain: Working Around Midbrain Damage

 

Let’s Make 2023 the Year of Me

Many of us with young-onset Parkinson’s disease have already spent years caring for our families at the time we’re diagnosed. Then we must also do our best to manage our own health and the challenges of a chronic disease that most others our age don’t understand.

 

As a result, taking care of ourselves may not be high on the priority list. We just don’t have time, so our New Year’s resolutions are in the rearview mirror by Jan. 3.

 

But it doesn’t have to be that way. As an article in Forbes suggests, we can ensure our resolutions succeed by acknowledging our current behavior and understanding why it needs to change.

 

Continue Reading On Parkinson's News Today

 

Regional and National Programming

The American Parkinson’s Disease Association has a variety of educational webinars scheduled throughout the month of February.

 

For more information and to register for any of these upcoming sessions, click here.

 

MUSC Health presents: "What if it is not Parkinson Disease? A Discussion on Atypical Parkinsonisms"

 

Thursday, February 2nd at 12:00 P.M.

 

To register, click here.

 
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Pacific Neuroscience Institute presents:

"Everything Parkinson’s Webinar"

 

Monday, February 6th at 12:00 P.M.

 

To join, click here. Use the following meeting credentials if prompted:

Webinar ID: 821 8048 1494

 

Topic: Eating to Boost Brain Health and Ease Symptoms

 

Thursday, February 16th  at 12:00 P.M.

 

Click here to learn more.

 

Topic: Learned Helplessness

 

Wednesday, February 8th at 10:00 A.M.

 

To register, click here

 

Additional ongoing programs are listed below. Note that some of these programs are not facilitated by Parkinson Association of the Carolinas (PAC) and are subject to change. Click the links for more details.

Local Studies & Trials

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Effects of Restrictions from COVID-19 on Physical Activity Levels among individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD)

 

The goal of the study is to understand how restrictions from COVID-19 effected physical activity levels in those with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Physical activity has been known to improve many symptoms in patients with PD. In this study, you will participate in one (1) virtual meeting. In total, this study will require around 30-45 minutes of your time.

 

You will be asked to answer surveys about your current physical activity level, cognitive abilities, and balance confidence. Following the questionnaires, you will be asked questions about how COVID 19 has affected your ability to participate in physical activity.

 

If you have any concerns about the study, you can contact:

PI: Jared W. Skinner at 828-262-2512 or skinnerjw@appstate.edu.

 

Acute Effects of Exercise on Autonomic Function

in Parkinson's Disease (PD)

 

Contacts:

  • Lizzie Gamwell, gamwellhe@appstate.edu
  • Dr. Jared Skinner, skinnerjw@appstate.edu if you are interested in participation and/or volunteering.
 

LSVT Global and CurePSP are partnering with Google for new study called Project Euphonia. Project Euphonia is looking for volunteers with moderate to severe speech disorders associated with Parkinson’s (or other Parkinsonism-related diagnoses) to participate in this new study involving recording spoken phrases to help improve automatic speech recognition software (e.g. phones, computers, devices).

 

If you are interested in learning more about Project Euphonia, click here.

 

Please contact project.euphonia@lsvtglobal.com with any questions.

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View the Full Flyer

 

The Social Communication and Neuroscience Lab at East Carolina University is looking for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to participate in a online research survey. Participation involves completion of a survey that consists of five short questionnaires about mental health, demographic variables, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic and takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.

 

To access the survey, click here.

 

For questions, contact Kathrin Rothermich at 252-744-2329 or rothermichk17@ecu.edu.

 

The MUSC Movement Disorders Program is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an experimental drug (TAK-071) in Parkinson's Disease or Lewy Body patients with MCI and an elevated risk of falls. 

 

For more information, contact either of the following individuals:

  • Sandra Wilson, Research Coordinator - wilsosan@musc.edu 843-792-4616
  • Lisa Heidelberg, Research Coordinator - heidelbe@musc.edu 843-876-0829 

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial please email the MUSC Movement Disorders Program at danger@musc.edu.

 

Wake Forest Baptist Health is conducting a study that studies the effects of a wearable device on Parkinson's disease. 

 

To learn more about this study, click here.

 

For more information, contact Study Coordinator: Melanie Wilder at mwilder@wakehealth.edu or 336-716-1239.

 

Russell Sage is conducting a study regarding dance and movement for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. We aim to gather information regarding the use of rhythmic movement/dance and better understand perceived benefits, barriers, and facilitators to initiation and adherence to a dance program.

 

This survey is for individuals that have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. By completing this anonymous survey, you will help researchers to evaluate the utilization and knowledge of dance programs within this community, the perceived benefits of dance, barriers, and facilitators to participation. 

 

You do not need to be a dancer to participate. All individuals with PD are welcome to participate in this survey!

Click here to complete survey

PAC's Toll-Free Resource Line is here to Help!

LEARN MORE

Staff Answered Toll-Free Resource Line

  • Available Monday - Friday, 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
  • You can call for PD related questions, resources, & referrals.
  • You can learn about PAC's cost-free programs.
  • Call 1-866-903-PARK (7275) or email pac@parkinsonassociation.org.

For more information, click on the green "LEARN MORE" button.

 

How You Can Support PAC

Support PAC's Cost-Free Programs!

PAC offers free educational programs to the PD communities in the Carolinas! Consider making a donation so we can keep our programs cost-free to you!

DONATE
 

Volunteer with PAC

 

There are a variety of opportunities for individuals to volunteer with PAC in both an ongoing and/or one-time manner. Below is a list of available opportunities.

  • Board Member
  • Committee Member
  • Program Volunteer
  • Event Volunteer

For more information about PAC's volunteer program and ways to get involved with the organization, click on the green "VOLUNTEER" button.

Make Your Mark on Our Local Parkinson's Community!

VOLUNTEER
 

Follow PAC on Social Media!

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Did you know about our Motivational Mondays and Fact Fridays?

Every Monday and Friday we post motivational quotes and facts about Parkinson's disease on our Instagram and Facebook Stories.

 

We also post about some of our exercise programs and support groups across North and South Carolina on Wednesdays for our Spotlight Wednesdays. Each story stays up for 24 hours before disappearing the next day!

 

Where can I view Instagram Stories?

To view PAC's stories, just tap on our profile photo - it's a red and green tulip! If you like our story, you can send us a "heart" in the bottom right-hand corner! 

 

Where can I view Facebook Stories?

Similar to Instagram Stories, content shared to stories will appear at the top of the Facebook News Feed. To view a story, users simply tap the Parkinson Association Logo circle at the top of the app (if it has a blue circle around it). While viewing a story, users can also reply with a direct message to let us know if you liked our story!

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