Recently, I attended Alec Langstein’s Rock Steady Boxing class in Tyson’s. It was great fun and although I was tired afterwards, it was a good kind of tired. I’d seen Alec talk about the benefits and do a quick demo but it was another thing to actually participate in his class. Alec keeps everyone moving, and with the help of volunteers, people who were unable to run back and forth and needed to stay seated were also included. Rock Steady Boxing is especially designed for people with Parkinson’s, and incorporates stretching and strengthening exercises, balance, coordination, reaction time, and using your brain. It’s been proven to help improve your balance and how you walk, as well as reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s. And because exercise like this gets you moving your body, using your brain, and challenges you, you’ll just feel better overall. Alec will do an assessment with you so he can best tailor the program to your needs. Click here for more details and let me know what you think of those Moby squats!
We also want to send a BIG shoutout and Thank You to Alec for organizing Pints for Parkinson’s in April at Tyson’s Biergarten. Thanks to his efforts, $1922.00 was raised for Parkinson Social Network!
World Parkinson Congress 2019
WPC 2019 in Kyoto, Japan is over now. The 6th World Parkinson Congress will be in Barcelona in 2022. Karl Robb wrote about the this year’s congress and included a link to the podcasts. Click here for his blog post.
Click here to go to the WPC 2019 website. You’ll find links to follow on social media, blog posts, webinars and more.
Senior Law Day
Saturday, June 22 from 8:30am-12:30pm
At: TC Williams High School
3330 King Street, Alexandria Alexandria.
This year the theme is “Stand up for Yourself and Your Community: How to Avoid Scams”. Come hear from local experts on how to identify a possible scam and how to protect yourself or a loved one from being a victim. Attendees will also learn about what legal documents everyone should have in place and where to get help. The keynote speaker will be Christine Keiffer of the Financial Regulatory Authority, which develops tools to advance investor protection for consumers and advocates. Free document shredding will be available at the AARP Shred Truck. The event Is free and light refreshments will be provided. Register at www.seniorservicesalex.org or by calling 703 836 4414 ext 110.
For those of you in western Fairfax county . . .
Senior Fraud Prevention at Sunrise at Fair Oaks
Thursday, June 13, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
At: Sunrise at Fair Oaks
3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22033
Presented by: Det. Joe Moore and Officer Wayne Twombly, Fairfax County Crime Prevention
Please join us for an educational presentation on senior fraud and prevention. Learn common frauds and scams that target senior citizens due to accessibility, isolation, declining health and a ready supply of money. Learn warning signs of these schemes and ways to avoid identity theft. Please RSVP to (703) 264-0506
Free Resources from Parkinson’s Foundation
I received a reminder in my Inbox recently from the Parkinson’s Foundation about their resource library. It’s free and there’s lots of great information. The Parkinson’s Foundation is a national organization with offices in Miami and New York City. They also provide the patient safety kits called Aware in Care to help make your stay in hospital safer. We’ve been talking about them in our hospitalization and Parkinson’s presentations to support groups.
Click here to access the Parkinson’s Foundation PD Resource Library.
Click here to read more about the Aware in Care Kits and order them.
Save the Date!!
Monday, July 15 from 9:30 am – 11:00 am
“Sentimental Journey Singers” Open House
You are invited to learn more about this exciting new choral program for those with early or early/moderate memory impairments before rehearsals begin in September.
Where: Insight Memory Care Center
RSVP: Learn more online, or contact Christi Clark at 703-204-4664 or christi.clark@insightmcc.org.
Hope to see you out and about this week! Will we see you at our new Side by Side support groups in Arlington? Details here!
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
WPC 2019 meets this week from June 4-7 in Kyoto, Japan! I’ve seen a couple of familiar faces in the social media posts leading up to this amazing event. In 2016, I was fortunate enough to attend when it was held in Portland, Oregon, and it still inspires me.
Click here to go to the WPC 2019 website.
You’ll find links to follow on social media, blog posts, webinars and more.
Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program (VLRVP) provides reimbursement vouchers to Virginia caregivers who reside full-time, in the same household as the person receiving care, for the cost of temporary, short-term respite care provided to individuals, of any age, with a documented disability or special need. VLRVP is focusing on people with dementia and grandparents or relative caregivers providing care to a child not more than 18 years of age or an individual 19 to 59 years of age with a disability. Respite funding is limited to $400 per family through July 31, 2021, or until funds are exhausted. Priority will be given to assist those caregivers with the greatest social and economic need. Click here for details.
This information came from an e-newsletter, Access Fairfax: News & Events for People with Disabilities 05-22-19 from Fairfax County, DFS Disability Services. For more infromation about what this department offers, call 703-324-5421 TTY 703-449-1186 or e-mail disabilityservices@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Thank you, Angela, for sharing this with us!
Dance for PD® – streamed class for May
Anyone can join these classes from the comfort of their home! This particular class is taught by Heather Waldon. Click here to view and participate in Heather’s class. There’s a new class available every month, usually with a different teacher, too. To check out their archive and keep on movin’ to the music click here.
A Special Thank Your for Allegiance Aging Care Services
At our Cafe Ashburn in May, we had more people turn out than we were expecting – which was great! I want to thank Eric from Allegiance Aging Care Services for coming to our rescue and dashing out to get us some extra sandwiches. And helping us with tables and chairs, and directing people, and . . . Thanks, Eric!
Wheelchair equipped van for sale
Karen sent us this message to share with you. A friend of hers who had MS for many years recently passed away. Her husband is selling their 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE Braun Entervan XT. Here is the link to his listing on Craigslist: https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/d/falls-church-2011-toyota-sienna-xle/6888635136.html.
Could you please share with anyone who may be interested?
Aging Well in Alexandria
For those of you in Alexandria, we have the latest issue of Aging Well in Alexandria from Senior Services of Alexandria. Click here to read!
Hope to see you out and about this week! Will you be celebrating 35 years with Insight Memory Care Center on Wednesday? (Details here)
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org