Online Chair Movement Class, Wednesdays

This exercise program is based on the John Argue book “Parkinson’s Disease & the Art of Moving” to: increase flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination, improve communication, voice power and speech clarity. Drawing from yoga, tai chi, free-dancing and laughter yoga, this seated exercise program focuses on doing movements with ease, moving intentionally and slow completion of movements one at a time. It is great for those concerned with balance, needing the support of a chair, or simply hoping to add to an existing exercise program.

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: Laura Lou Pape-McCarthy

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PD 101 w/Dr. Batya: Virtual

Rare SATURDAY Opportunity!

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

Our presenter, Sara Batya, MD, is a board certified neurologist with fellowship training in movement disorders, which include Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor, Huntington Disease, Dystonia, tremor, tics, and Restless Leg Syndrome. She is a specialist in the management of deep brain stimulation and the non-surgical care of the complex and multifaceted aspects of these diseases.

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Advanced Stage Family Caregiver Workshop

Couple standing close looking at camera

The advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease may last anywhere from several months to several years. Intensive, around-the-clock assistance is usually required. In the advanced stages of PD families are called upon to make difficult decisions about their loved one’s care. Even with the understanding that Parkinson’s disease is progressive, it is hard to be prepared. This education workshop will prepare family members and caregivers to approach the advanced stages of the disease with more confidence. Recognizing every family situation is unique, the program will educate caregivers about the issues and decisions impacting quality of life.

This is a two part workshop. September 9th and 16th. This workshop has limited space, so we kindly ask if you are registering that you plan to attend both days of the workshop. See agenda and faculty:

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When Levodopa Is No Longer Consistent: Hybrid

Join us in-person or online for a conversation with Dr. Zoltan Mari, MD. If you live in the Portland metro area, we strongly encourage you to attend in person!

In this talk presented by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, one of PRO’s Annual Sponsors, Dr. Mari, will discuss Parkinson’s and Off periods and the role the medication Apokyn can play in addressing these episodes. Apokyn is different than other Parkinson’s medications in that it bypasses the GI tract. Because it uses a different route of administration, it is readily available in the brain to end off time and let you return to activity.

Dr. Mari is an expert in Parkinson’s Disease. Currently, he is the Ruvo Family Chair and Director for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas NV. Dr. Mari has previously served as full time faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Mari has been a part of dozens of clinical studies.

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This is an independent event, unaffiliated with Parkinson’s Resources and is not an endorsement or recommendation by PRO of a specific therapy or treatment modality. Supernus is a proud partner of Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon. This program is offered as a paid consideration.

Living Well w/Parkinson’s, Virtual

Please join Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon for an afternoon 2-part series workshop (on 8/19 and 8/26) focused on lifestyle strategies to live your best life. Between visits to the doctor, your daily choices can help you manage symptoms. We will discuss the evidence behind recommendations about exercise, nutrition, provide strategies to manage healthcare information (including creating a healthcare notebook), building your care team, and discuss available resources.

This educational program is for those living with PD, their families, and care givers.

Whether you are new to PD or you have been living with it for many years, there will be something of interest to everyone -along with opportunities to ask questions.

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Presented by: Mike Mulligan, Community Health Education Coordinator, Nancy Barlow, Wellness Coordinator, and Jess Joseph, Program Coordinator

Mental Health for Caregivers: Hybrid

Join us in-person or online for a conversation with Joan Laguzza, MSW, LCSW. If you live in the Portland metro area, we strongly encourage you to attend in person!

In this talk, Joan will discuss how to take care of your mental health if you are a family caregiver to someone with Parkinson’s. Joan will share information about how to foster awareness of your mental health, how to understand what to do if you think you need help, and when/if to share emotional challenges with the person receiving care.

This talk will last about an hour, with an additional 15 minutes for questions.

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Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Quarterly Conversations

Are you considering Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and would like to hear more about it? Have you had DBS and would like to share your experience with others? Register for our quarterly Zoom DBS Conversations!

We welcome people with Parkinson’s as well as care partners to join the conversation. This group will be casual with opportunities to hear real experiences of people with Parkinson’s who have had DBS. There will be time to share and engage.

A Zoom link will be emailed to you 1 week before the meeting.

Deep Brain Stimulation is a surgical treatment option for Parkinson’s disease that implants a device that delivers electrical pulses in parts of the brain to reduce certain motor symptoms.

There will be speakers to share their knowledge and expertise at every other meeting.

Dates for upcoming series:

October 25th (speaker)

*This group is intended for support and sharing of experiences. The subject discussed in the group is not to be taken as medical advice or as consultation for DBS. Please consult your healthcare team regarding your personal care and treatment.

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Summer Breathing Yoga: Online

older man and woman dressed in blue sitting to practice yoga

Pranayama yoga is the practice of breath control and synchronizing breath with movement which can help energize the body and mind, improve alertness and concentration, reduce stress. This practice may benefit those with tremor, improve memory and cognitive functions, help with sleeping disorders, provide mental-emotional stability and build confidence and improve quality of life.

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Personal Care Series (Virtual)

ONLINE: 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: May 30th and June 6th (2:00-3:30pm), Occupational Therapist, Mindy Laidlaw, 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.

Parkinson’s and Your Mental Health (Virtual)

May is Mental Health Month! PRO is offering a virtual talk by our staff social worker, Peggy Rost.

Peggy will provide an overview of the wide variety of approaches one can use to help maintain good mental health while navigating life with Parkinson’s. Peggy will also discuss the resources that are available to you if you find you are facing mental health challenges and how to access them.