Parkinson Social Network

We’re having lots of fun learning about the things people do for fun and the things they collect. This photo is of Edward carrying his baskets inside the basket he’s wearing as a kind of backpack. He made them all, and has taught the art of creating baskets. Edward also brought one of his handcrafted heirloom brooms. Ask him how he got 400 pounds of broom corn from his SUV down to his basement – it’s quite a story!

We’re looking forward to Cafe Ashburn this Wednesday to learn about more hobbies and collections, and the many things our friends have in common other than Parkinson’s.

Davis Phinney Victory Summit
The Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s is holding one of their Victory Summits in Philadelphia on Saturday, August 24. I haven’t been to one yet, so I’m really looking forward to it. The focus of this organization is to help people with Parkinson’s to live well and they describe their Victory Summits as “a moving day of information and inspiration” and “an upbeat, fast-paced event of community and connection, filled with laughter and conversation”. I’m all for that! For more details, click here. Will we see you there?

Does the Parkinson’s Profile Exist?
Click here to read Karl Robb’s thoughts on a question that I’m sure many of us have wondered about. What do you think? You can share your thoughts in the comments at the bottom of Karl’s blog page.

Congratulations to the Hagerstown PD Support Group on their recent TV coverage!
Click here to read more. Art Guyer, the Co-Facilitator of Hagerstown Parkinson’s Support Group says, “We believe that the social aspects are just as important as the educational aspects, so the more people we can reach in the community in the four-state area actually, the better off the community will be”. That’s how we feel here at our Parkinson Social Network, Art! Thank you for spreading the word.

Resources
At our June Side by Side support groups in Arlington, we shared a number of resources that people have found helpful. Then at the Fair Oaks support group we talked about some of them so I’m sharing them here. It’s a bit of a mixture of topics, but I hope you find something helpful.

Exercise
The RBG Workout: https://rbgworkout.com/

Transportation

• Independent You, a company that offers driving services:  https://www.independentyou.net/driving
• In Arlington there are ART buses: https://www.arlingtontransit.com/
• Red Cabs, offer senior discounts: https://www.fairfaxredtopcab.com/services/
• Arlington 55+ was suggested but I couldn’t find mention of drivers for individuals. They seem to offer bus trips. Here’s what I found: https://parks.arlingtonva.us/programs/adults-55/seniors-travel/
• The Villages Network including:
  • The Arlington Neighborhood Village: https://arlnvil.org/
  • Lake Barcroft Village: https://www.lakebarcroftvillage.org/
  • At Home in Alexandria: http://athomeinalexandria.org/
  • Reston for a Lifetime: www.restonforalifetime.org
  • More villages: https://www.vtvnetwork.org/
• Shepherd’s Center of Annandale & Springfield https://shepherdscenter-annandale.org/ . There are other Shepherd’s Centers in Oakton-Vienna, Fairfax-Burke and McLean.
• NV Rides: http://www.nvrides.org/ They kind of act as an umbrella and you’ll find local villages and Shepherd’s Centers listed on their website.

Speech therapy programs

• LSVT LOUD: https://www.lsvtglobal.com/LSVTLoud
• Matt McKeon: https://www.mckeonmatt.com/
• Parkinson Voice Project, Speak Out!:
  https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/SPEAKOUT
• Susan Wranik leads the communications club at the Kensington in Falls Church
• There are home care companies that will come to your home for therapy.
• One suggestion was to check out what your secondary insurance would cover with regards to therapy – physical and speech. You may be able to have more therapy sessions covered.

DatScan – what is it?
From the (national) Parkinson’s Foundation: http://toolkit.parkinson.org/content/datscan From the American Parkinson Disease Foundation: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/what-is-a-datscan-and-should-i-get-one/

Medications
Revolution Meds, contact is owner John Jacoub:  http://revmedsrx.com/
They deliver, and offer prepackage medications by dosage.

Dr. Rogers talk to the Women with Parkinson’s support group:
https://womenwithparkinsons.com/2019/04/10/april-meeting-notes-dr-sean-rogers-addresses-our-numerous-concerns-answers-all-our-questions/

Save the Date! – Saturday, November 9
PSN’s 2nd annual Caregiver Appreciation Luncheon
At: Insight Memory Care Center
We would love your help and feedback to make this another happy event for both caregivers and people living with Parkinson’s. Please mark the date on your calendar, and drop me a line if you’d like to help!

Hope to see you Out & About soon! Will we see you at Cafe Ashburn on Wednesday? Details on our cafes page.

Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org