Navigating End-of-Life for Those Living with Parkinson’s

This workshop is dedicated to individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers, focusing on the important yet often challenging preparations surrounding end-of-life planning. We will explore how to approach death with clarity and compassion, delve into the role of death cafes and death doulas, and offer practical strategies for ensuring that personal wishes are communicated and respected. Participants will gain insight into the unique considerations for those with Parkinson’s, including managing communication challenges, involving family members, and celebrating the lives of loved ones after they pass. Join us to empower yourself and foster greater peace through proactive planning and meaningful dialogue.

Presented by Angela Franklin, QMHA, EOLD. Angela is an advocate at the intersection of life’s most profound moments. As an Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, and Death Midwife based in Southern Oregon, she brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her work. She heads the Josephine County Older Adult Health and Wellness Coalition and is a co-founder of Journey Home Support Services.

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Online Chair Movement Class, Tuesdays

Join Anne Cooper and others for an hour of movement and exercise specifically for those who may be just starting an exercise program or who will benefit from the added stability and safety of seated movement. Explore face and vocal exercises, playful encouragement and instruction on moves from yoga, tai chi, and dancing to help people with PD fulfill exercise guidelines.

Always check with your physician before starting any exercise program.

This class, and all programs at PRO, is offered with an option for scholarship registration. Similar classes in the community have registration fees of $8 – $15/session. If you are able, please consider a full or partial fee registration to help offset our related program expenses. (All contributions help)

INSTRUCTOR: Anne Cooper

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Online Chair Movement Class, Fridays

Join Anne Cooper and others for an hour of movement and exercise specifically for those who may be just starting an exercise program or who will benefit from the added stability and safety of seated movement. Explore face and vocal exercises, playful encouragement and instruction on moves from yoga, tai chi, and dancing to help people with PD fulfill exercise guidelines.

Always check with your physician before starting any exercise program.

This class, and all programs at PRO, is offered with an option for scholarship registration. Similar classes in the community have registration fees of $8 – $15/session. If you are able, please consider a full or partial fee registration to help offset our related program expenses. (All contributions help)

INSTRUCTOR: Anne Cooper

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Managing Anxiety – What Is It and What To Do If I Experience It? (Virtual)

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, but people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners experience it at a higher rate than the general population. In this talk, you will learn to identify symptoms and sources of anxiety and how it can impact the overall sense of well-being. You will learn various strategies for managing anxious feelings and understand what coping skills work for you and how to adapt them to individual situations. There will be time to share personal experiences and learn from each other in addition to hearing the clinical perspective.

Joan Laguzza, MSW, LCSW is a mental health therapist specializing in working with older adults and people with chronic and complex medical issues. She works in private practice in Lake Oswego.

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Parkinson’s 101 (Virtual)

Are you concerned about yourself or a loved one? Have you recently been diagnosed? This program will help you understand what Parkinson’s is and is not and why it is difficult to diagnose.

Parkinson’s disease (PD), is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease that can lead to a wide range of symptoms and challenges. This presentation will provide an overview, what the signs and symptoms are, and what treatment options and resources are available. We will also be discussing the importance of exercise along with some guidelines and strategies for managing symptoms.

Presented by Libby Kennard, Program Lead and Mike Mulligan, Community Health Education Coordinator. PRO provides education and trainings, along with support groups and a helpline to those experiencing PD and their families across Oregon and SW Washington.

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March Ahead: Parkinson’s

This exercise class is specifically designed for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.  The class format is founded on latest scientific principles and research at OHSU, to improve mobility constraints and brain function.  Balance coordination and mobility are all part of this active movement class.  Individual needs are addressed to fit level of function.  Improvements in many neurological deficiencies can be made by attending this class.

Instructor: Derek Wallace, [email protected], www.ohsu.edu/march-wellness

$115 per month

Your Vision and Parkinson’s (Virtual)

If you are living with Parkinson’s disease, you may be more likely to experience dry eye disease, double vision and reading difficulties, and even optic nerve damage. This virtual program, presented is Angela Shahbazian, OD, FAAO, will review the various ocular symptoms that patients with Parkinson’s disease may experience and provide tools for how you can advocate for the best possible management of these symptoms.

Angela Shahbazian, OD, FAAO, is Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to her expertise as an optometric physician and instructor of optometry, Dr. Shahbazian, will share some of her insights as the daughter of someone who is living with Parkinson’s and the unique perspective that brings to her clinical practice.

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Personal Care Series For People with PD & Care Partners (Virtual)

Are you caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease? Do you have PD and experience challenges with personal care? Are you looking for ideas and equipment to make these activities easier for you or your loved one to retain independence ? Or, do you just want to be prepared for what may lie ahead with your loved one’s PD?

During this 1.5 hour program, once a week for 2 weeks: January 21st and January 28th (1:00-2:30pm), Occupational Therapist, Mindy Laidlaw, with St. Charles Medical Center, will give instruction and ideas regarding strategies and equipment to assist the person with PD with bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, and cooking/feeding. Mindy Laidlaw, OT, graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR and has worked for St. Charles Medical Center in Bend Oregon for 34 years. If you are a professional care giver, please call our office for information regarding our long-term care training for professionals caring for those with PD.

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Holiday Sing-Along: In Person (Beaverton) & Virtual

This is the special holiday edition of our monthly Sing-Along group. Join us for a fun and supportive hybrid in person and “virtual” song circle to practice projection, voice control and coordination through the joy of singing! Each session will start with a practice vocal warm-up and then sing your favorite songs with guitar accompaniment.

Wear your Holiday spirit (not required), see friendly faces, sing, laugh and enjoy holiday treats! 

If you are joining us in-person, this event will be at our PRO office in Beaverton, 8880 SW Nimbus Ave.

Free Event, Registration Required

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Preparing for the Unexpected: Virtual

Illness, family obligations, and medical needs can all come unexpectedly for any of us, and for those of us in crucial roles as caregivers (for ourselves or others), it is important to plan ahead.

We will assist participants as they identify steps to take to get prepared, including rallying support and identifying roles ahead of time for family and friends, finding care resources, and gathering and organizing crucial information. By taking steps to prepare and communicate with your larger network, we hope to lessen the stress of “what will happen if I can’t be there?” and “what will happen if I need help?”

This event will be online. Handouts will be emailed prior to the event date.

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