Parkinson Social NetworkSinemet CR update and . . . it’s hot!
I thought the above photo was perfect given the heat we’ve had this last week.
Click here to check out the artists’ website.
Travel Time at Cafes Alexandria and Fairfax
We’ve been having fun talking about travel and sharing tips and stories. I’ve been taking notes and hope to share them in next week’s issue of Out & About.
Hot enough for you?
Karl Robb has perfect timing. Click here to read his latest blog post on you can Protect Yourself from Summer Dangers. There are some helpful tips specifically for people living with Parkinson’s and many more for ALL of us. Thanks for the reminders, Karl!
Last week, Angela sent me information from newsletters she received from a couple of Parkinson organizations. We thought the following would be of interest to you:
IBM unveils fingernail sensor that can monitor PD
On the Wisconsin Parkinson Association‘s website there’s a description of IBM’s latest innovation of a fingernail sensor that can help people with Parkinson’s by detecting symptoms and check the effectiveness of medication.
Click here to read more about it.
Sinemet CR Discontinued
News from the Michael J Fox Foundation that Merck will no longer manufacture Sinemet CR. Their blog post offers suggestions for other options.
Click here to read the blog post.
Click here to read the letter from Merck to the Michael J Fox Foundation.
Parkinson Social Network will be an exhibitor at this conference.
Care Wise: A Community Resource Conference
Thursday, September 12, 2019 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
At: Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035
Presentations, panel discussions and exhibitor topics designed to enhance awareness of:
- Resources for Older Adults, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans
- Mental Health Connections
- Continuum of Care Information
- Aging in Place Strategies
Recommended for care professionals, case managers, social workers, clinicians, residential staff, students and other community advocates
No charge for attendance; complimentary lunch provided.
Space is limited.
Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CarewiseConf2019 by September 5, 2019
Looking for an educational weekend trip?
APDA 2019 Virginia Education Day!
Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
At: DoubleTree Hotel
50 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg VA 23185
Speakers include local friends and advocates Karl and Angela Robb, and Bob Pearson.
Ann Perkins writes:
This is Virginia’s version of the national paced conferences that grab your attention, including:
- Understanding, Managing and Living with Parkinson’s disease –
to include a panel of movement disorder specialists - Breakout sessions on dementia and neuromodulation, research, brain fitness, benefits of anti-inflammatory eating
- Demonstrations and benefits of Parkinson specific exercise
- With Kendra Lapointe hosting as President of the board of APDA-Hampton Roads Chapter and 25 different speakers to choose from
Many will spend Friday night at the venue. There are special rates, so take advantage of them by using event code APD (single/double $139/nite) by calling 800-222-8733 for the Doubletree Williamsburg 50 Kingsmill Rd., Williamsburg VA 23185
For more information about the when and where, as well as speakers, topics, and to register (only $25), click here.
I hope this newsletter is helpful and we’ll see you Out & About soon! We’ll be at Cafe Ashburn Wednesday. And it’s still National Ice Cream Month so you know what that means! Will we see you there?
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
Help with Micrographia
Micrographia
I often hear people talking about how sad and frustrated they are with how small their handwriting is. The abnormally small handwriting that people with Parkinson’s experience is called micrographia, and can be one of the early signs of Parkinson’s.
I’ve just learned about a workbook called Let’s Combat Micrographia that can help people improve their handwriting. It’s available through their website, Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Click here to learn more.
July Side by Side Support Groups at VHC
Last Wednesday, Dr. Drew Falconer, MD and Co-Director of Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Program, visited our Side by Side support groups to answer our questions about medications and symptoms. Each group – people with Parkinson’s and carepartners – had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Falconer separately. We really appreciated that he could spend so much time with us.
Thank you, too, to those of you who brought delicious homemade munchies to share!
Next month at our Side by Side support groups, we will be visited by Dr. Melanie Bush, a physical therapist who will be showing each group various solutions for questions like, how do I get out of bed, or in and out of a car? How can a carepartner help a spouse up from the floor? If you have questions like these that you would like Dr. Bush to answer, please send them to me at Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org so she can bring the appropriate gadgets and gizmos.
Can you help?
We are looking to borrow a transport wheelchair for a friend living with Parkinson’s. It would be needed for a couple of months.
We’re also looking for a chair with arms, on wheels, that can’t be tipped back. It would need to be high enough so the person could use it to sit at his desk. Something like this:
If you can help, please contact me at Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org. Thanks!
Reminder!
Healthy Aging Lecture Series: Parkinson’s Disease: A Panel Discussion
Friday, July 26, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
At: Virginia Hospital Center, Carlin Springs Campus
601 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington VA 22204
Panel participants:
– Sonia Gow, Founder and President, Parkinson Social Network
– Diana Gilbert, Dir. of Personal Care Services, Old Dominion Home Care
– Cathleen Renkiewicz PT, DPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, Virginian Rehabilitation and Wellness Services
– Briana Howard, Virginian Home Health
This lecture is FREE and sponsored by Virginia Hospital Center’s Senior Health Department. To register, please call the Senior Health Department: 703.558.6859 or email lifeline@VirginiaHospitalCenter.com
Hope this newsletter is helpful and we’ll see you Out & About soon! This week is a two-cafe week . . . Alexandria (with their famous sundae bar!) and Fairfax (what would you do for a Klondike bar?) Will we see you there?
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
Parkinson Social Network 