Parkinson Social NetworkG’day from South Australia!
I’m in Adelaide to visit my mum for her 93rd birthday. She had a lovely celebration and was quite surprised that so many people knew about it and wished her a happy day. Staff at the assisted living where she lives were very kind in helping me organize a celebration on short notice. They set us up in the private dining room and the chef personally delivered the beautiful cake that she made. When friends joined us and we all sang Happy Birthday, mum had tears running down her cheeks but with the biggest smile. It truly was a happy
birthday for her.
I’m staying with friends who live in the hills that surround Adelaide and it’s beautiful up here. The air smells so fresh thanks to all the gum trees and there’s lots of wildlife. We go for long walks, usually at night, and I get spooked by the possums rustling in the trees. The other day we went in the late afternoon and my friend said to keep an eye out for kangaroos. I thought she was kidding, but we did see some! They make a thumping sound when they hop and they sure can move.
I’ve been participating in the many activities that mum goes to in her community. There are daily exercise classes and it was funny to see the look on the face of a physio (physical therapist) this afternoon when he spotted me sitting with the residents. Earlier today, mum and I went for a ride through the hills in the community bus with some of the residents. Everything is green from the winter rain and now there are flowering trees and talk of spring. We all enjoyed our lunch seated by the fireplace in a lovely old pub.
Afterwards we could have our photo taken with Elvis but there weren’t many takers. And in case you’re wondering, I have no idea why Elvis was in the building.
Meanwhile back at home, Insight Memory Care Center is busy planning their fall events. Click here to check out their caregiver classes for September. Lindsey is giving community presentations on Brain Health as You Age at various venues around Fairfax county. Then save the dates for their annual Paintings and Pairings event on Thursday, October 25, and Caregiver Bootcamp on Saturday, October 27.
More news from South Australia next week when I catch up with friends at Parkinson’s SA. Hope you’re enjoying getting out and about, too!
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
More Summer Fun and SingOut!
Cafe Alexandria – August 20
George at Brandywine Living in Alexandria prepared another delicious lunch for us on Monday. He has some very creative ideas like the very tasty Antipasto Hoagie he prepared for us. Our icebreaker question this month was, “What was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a child?” which led to the sharing of lots of happy memories. We also talked about our collections, and I brought some more of my flamingo collection to show after we talked about some other things people collect. Some of them were complementary like the coasters from German restaurants that would go well with another friend’s bier stein collection.
Choirs and Music
At Cafe Alexandria we talked about the annual Parkinson Voice Project’s SingOut! concert on September 8, 2018 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Central Time).
The Parkinson Voice Project (PVP) is a nonprofit that offers a speech therapy program called Speak Out! which is funded entirely by donations. One of the things I like about Speak Out! is people are encouraged to speak with intent and live with intent. Such a simple and effective concept that uses a system of the brain that is less dependent on dopamine. After the Speak Out! training, people can participate in a LOUD Crowd group to maintain the skills they’ve learned. Parkinson Voice Project also has their annual SingOut! concert with a different theme each year. This year the theme is Motown and you’ll see and hear over 100 people living with Parkinson’s with their beautiful voices.
Click here to register to watch it online and also see highlights from previous concerts.
Click here to go to the Parkinson Voice Project website to learn more about what they offer, and connect with local providers.
In 2016 I attended the 
World Parkinson Congress in Portland, Oregon. The most memorable part of it for me was the Parkinson’s Choir that performed at the opening ceremony. Because people came from all over, they had practiced via Skype in the months prior to the congress, and only had the chance to practice in person in the day or so before their performance. There are a couple of videos on YouTube if you’d like to hear this very special choir – click here and here.
Here in Northern Virginia, there isn’t a Parkinson-specific choir (yet!) but you can join one of several Encore Chorales at various locations. Anyone over 55, regardless of experience or ability, is welcome to join and we hear from friends that it’s lots of fun! Click here for more information about the program and the locations. Click here to see and hear the concert we attended on May 18 this year.
But wait! There’s more music!!
Kelsi Yingling, from Neurosound Music Therapy will speak to the Fair Oaks Parkinson’s support group tomorrow, Saturday, August 25th. Kelsi is a board certified neurologic music therapist with advanced degrees in music therapy and special education. She will talk about the positive benefits music brings into our lives and ”how music therapy can enhance the quality of life of individuals of all ages and functioning levels”. You do not need to have any musical ability to benefit from musical therapy.
The Fair Oaks support group meets on the 4th Saturday each month
from 10:00 am to 12 noon at:
Sunrise Senior Living at Fair Oaks, 3rd floor bistro, 3750 Joseph Siewick Dr., Fairfax, VA.
Cafe Ashburn – August 22
The overwhelming response to our icebreaker question, “What was your favorite activity during the summer when you were young?” was, “ go to the beach,” whether it was at the ocean, a lake, or a river. There was lots of laughter and warm memories. When someone mentioned always going with her dog, that triggered a very lively discussion by the whole group about our pet dogs and the importance of service dogs available to people with PD. Many good laughs over the antics and foibles of our dogs led our sharing to the power of cats have over dogs whether they love, hate, or enjoy terrifying the dog. Everyone had several stories and many warm memories to share and before we knew it, the time for our meeting was over.
~ Thank you to Arlene for leading the meeting and sending this wonderful description of the cafe! ~
Insight Memory Care Center to Offer Caregiver Educational Classes in Springfield
For those of you who live in or around the Springfield area . . . Insight’s caregiver classes are coming to you!
Location: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road Springfield, VA 22152
While they are not specific to Parkinson’s, many of our friends in the Parkinson community who have attended similar classes at Insight have come away with heaps of helpful information. Click here to check out their flyer with details of their classes beginning in September.
Hope to see you out and about soon!
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
Parkinson Social Network 