Living with Parkinson’s—or loving someone who does—can create a complicated relationship with the body. Sensations may feel unfamiliar, unpredictable, or even frustrating. In this session, we gently explore mindfulness as a way to come home to the body just as it is, without needing to fix or change anything.
Through simple, accessible practices focused on breath, sensation, and grounded awareness, participants will be invited to reconnect with the body as a place of information, steadiness, and belonging—rather than something to battle or control.
Speaker
Crista Ellis, E-RYT, B.Sc
Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Life Coach, Founder of Rising Rose Yoga
Senior Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
Check-in & Resource Fair* begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program starts at 12:00 p.m.
Join the Parkinson’s Foundation for the New Jersey & Pennsylvania Chapter Parkinson’s Symposium. Attendees will learn about symptoms, treatment options and strategies to help navigate the challenges of living with PD. While each person’s experience is unique, the more you know, the more empowered you will be to play an active role in your care and manage your life with Parkinson’s.
*The Resource Fair will feature local Community Partners that provide services and support for the Parkinson’s Community.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
Join us for a fun and casual happy hour as we gear up for Parkinson’s Revolution Ride and Moving Day this May! Connect with riders, supporters, and event committee members, learn more about the Parkinson’s Foundation, and celebrate our shared commitment to the Parkinson’s community. Bring your friends, family, and team members, to mingle with other teams
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
IU Health and Parkinson's Foundation Midwest Chapter, PD Symposium
10:45 am to 2:00 pm EST
FREE
Guest Check-In begins at 10 a.m. and the program starts at 10:45 a.m.
The Parkinson’s Foundation, in collaboration with IU Health-A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, is hosting its annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium. This informative event will feature discussions on key topics such as emerging treatment options, real‑world guidance to help participants get the most from their medications each day, hospital safety, and research exploring how inflammation and immune changes may contribute to Parkinson’s. In addition, the program will conclude with an expert panel Q&A.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore a vendor fair, highlighting valuable local resources for individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Speakers
Alison S. Lewis, PharmD, BCEMP, BCPS Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Outpatient Neurology Indiana University Health – Goodman Hall Neuroscience Center
Rebecca Wallings, DPhil Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurology Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IU School of Medicine
Jessica Bartsch, MS, NCC Senior Manager, Community Education and Outreach Parkinson’s Foundation-Midwest Chapter
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
Check In/Vendor Fair/Coffee-10:00-10:45 a.m.
Welcome/IU Health & Parkinson Foundation-10:45-11:00 a.m.
Ali Lewis/Parkinson’s Disease Medication Updates/Medicare/Non-Insurance Affordability-11:00-11:45 a.m. (45 mins)
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
The Kensington: Leading the Way in Compassionate Parkinson’s Care
🧠 What will you learn in this article?
This article highlights a Parkinson’s Foundation Community Partner in Parkinson’s Care, The Kensington, and how it provides person‑centered Parkinson’s care. It discusses:
How the team receives extensive PD education and experiential learning to better support residents with Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders.
The importance of medication timing in resident living.
PD-tailored programs like vocal gym and support group that foster independence and community.
Questions family members and people with Parkinson’s can ask potential living communities.
At The Kensington in White Plains, NY, compassionate care for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) isn’t just a promise, it is a practice grounded in training and personalization.
Through expert-led training and measurable outcomes, the Parkinson’s Foundation Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care educates and prepares care staff working in senior living communities and home care agencies to provide optimal support for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The program focuses on practical, day-to-day strategies on how Parkinson’s affects movement and mood — and how PD care can improve quality of life.
The Kensington Associate Executive Director Joanne Hubbard
As a community partner, The Kensington ensures residents with Parkinson’s receive individualized, person-centered support. In this article, The Kensington Associate Executive Director Joanne Hubbard shares how her team puts these practices into action every day.
How prevalent is Parkinson’s disease at The Kensington?
Joanne: It fluctuates but about 15 to 30% of our total resident population are living with Parkinson's. In New York, there's a special license for assisted living communities called an enhanced license that allows our residents to age in place. The Kensington has that license, which enables people to remain in our community while receiving higher acuity care as their condition progresses.
Our promise is to love and care for our residents like we would our own family. Parkinson’s care is more than managing symptoms, we aim to preserve dignity, purpose, voice and quality of life at every stage.
Why did you become a Community Partner?
Joanne: Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care training equips our team to do more than share information — it builds a shared understanding that allows residents, families and team members to navigate Parkinson’s together. Our team and most residents recognize how Parkinson’s can affect daily activities and symptoms related to Parkinson's. Because of our commitment to excellence in Parkinson’s care, and our partnership with Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care, we support more people with Parkinson’s. The Community Partners provides our team, residents and families with information they need to succeed now.
What are some examples of how staff provides specialized Parkinson’s care?
Joanne: Our THRIVE with Parkinson’s program for residents with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders and their family members stands for: Therapeutic, Holistic, Revitalizing, Inspiring Independence, Vocally Vibrant and Empowering. When it comes to Parkinson’s, our team staff is trained to be intentional with time. They know to slow down, allow medication time to take effect, and adjust communication so instructions are clear and manageable. They know to give residents extra time for a response if they're having an off episode.
Explore Parkinson's Foundation resources about advanced Parkinson's.
When you see these strategies making a difference, it reinforces that Parkinson’s training truly works. Anyone coming into this work is doing it because you love people and you want to help. These strategies enable you to actualize that goal.
How do you train staff to provide better Parkinson’s care?
Joanne: We use the Community Partners Portal, which staff can complete at their own pace, but I'm an advocate of the classroom approach so we watch the courses together. When a new team member starts, they participate in a full day of Parkinson's training. I also advocate for experiential learning — if you're not doing it yourself, you are less likely to apply it. I want people to feel scenarios in their bodies. We practice in real time and discuss scenarios. We also have some of our residents with Parkinson’s join the training for a Q&A, which is highly impactful.
As a Community Partner we are given educational resources for our team like the Experiential Toolkit. The kit includes heavyweight shoes with Velcro that especially resonate with staff because they get stuck to the carpet. So, when they get up from a chair wearing these shoes, they can’t take that first step. They can really imagine what a freezing of gait episode feels like. And they can apply that feeling to helping a resident who freezes when going through a threshold or walking into the elevator.
Our team also customizes routines for residents with Parkinson’s. We promote independence. For example, we schedule time to help Ben complete his night routine while seated, or if he wants to stand, we will stand behind him. Our goal is to not do things for residents they can do for themselves.
The Kensington is known for its ability to deliver Parkinson’s medication on time. How and why is this a goal for your center?
Joanne: Providing Parkinson’s medication on time is a major key of the Community Partner program. It was the main area that made me start digging into what do we need to do differently to improve our Parkinson’s care.
After joining the Parkinson’s Foundation Community Partners program, we created an additional nursing position to administer Parkinson's medication. Many of our residents with Parkinson’s require up to eight medication passes a day. That level of frequency made it an impossible task for one nurse to get to all residents on time.
Today, our residents with Parkinson's get their PD medications within a 15-minute window. We recognize that many care centers do not have the same level of resources available. That is one of the reasons I am so proud to work at The Kensington, our leadership understands it's always about the people. Our promise is to love and care for our residents as if they're our own family. And when there is a need, we look at how we can solve it.
What’s your favorite Kensington program?
Joanne: We offer programs that serve the body, mind, spirit. Our music therapy program is led by a therapist with a background in neurologic music therapy. He encompasses a lot of neurology-based approaches — a mix of coordination, range of motion and movement. He also does a lot of breathing, meditation and relaxation exercises. Our residents experience a lot of stiffness and anxiety, so it’s a win if we can give them tools they can then use in their own time.
I also run our vocal gym that focuses on our vocal structure, monotone speech, issues with breath support and voice control. I educate attendees about dopamine and how we need it to have coordination and movement. I talk a lot about Parkinson’s in the vocal gym and what's happening in the brain and the body. This helps the residents understand what is happening and gives them a sense of control.
One way Kensington is unique is that it educates residents about Parkinson’s too. Why?
Joanne: We keep our Parkinson's programming open for everybody. Our residents were noticing when their friends’ symptoms were interfering with something they were doing and would bring it up to staff, saying “hey, I'm noticing Joanne's having a harder time at breakfast with her utensils.” We provide a context and understand about Parkinson’s in how maybe Joanne’s experiencing an “off” time to help them understand what is happening rather than feel concerned or confused.
How does Kensington offer emotional support for residents?
Joanne: We offer Parkinson’s and movement disorders support groups for residents and a separate one for care givers and family members. They help residents better understand their own experiences and relate to others. We meet monthly and they run the group; I just facilitate it — it's an amazing group. They find support in one another.
What has surprised you about Parkinson’s disease?
Joanne: My support group told me I can share this, but I was surprised to learn how isolated people in the group felt because of Parkinson’s. They felt misunderstood and judged, some were told they were making their Parkinson’s up. For them to be able to come to this group and be able to talk has given them a community within the community.
Just last month I brought up delusions to the group, a topic we don't hear a lot from the residents about. Like an onion, the group unfolded. Some people were very aware they had experienced delusions, while others were realizing it during the group. It was a powerful session to say the least.
Can you share a resident story that inspired you?
Joanne: We have a resident that was unable to walk unassisted. Right away he expressed his goal, which was to walk his daughter down the aisle for her upcoming wedding. It was helpful for staff to know his goal. With hard work, steady Parkinson’s care and therapy, he walked her down the aisle. He danced with her at her wedding, and he even gave a speech. The impression we got is that these things weren’t even on his radar when he joined us. We were all so moved.
Do you have any advice for family members of people with Parkinson’s considering community living?
Joanne: When looking at potential senior living communities, always ask questions. I would start with these topics and avoid feeding staff answers:
Ask all the PD medication questions: How are medications managed? Who manages them? Can the person manage their own medications or does a nurse or a medication aide administer it? What is the window of time that they'll get medications?
What kind of specialized programs do you have for people with Parkinson's?
What support opportunities do you have for residents? And for the families?
Ask about their training in Parkinson’s care. Look for the Parkinson's Foundation Community Partners badge, which shows they’ve completed additional Parkinson’s training.
The Parkinson’s Foundation is grateful to Acadia Pharmaceuticals and the Edmond J. Safra Foundation for their support of Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care.
5 pasos que pueden ayudarle a procesar un diagnóstico de Parkinson
🧠 ¿Qué aprenderá en este artículo?
Este artículo destaca los 5 pasos que se pueden seguir para ayudarle a usted o a un ser querido a procesar un reciente diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Habla acerca de:
Equiparse con recursos e información actualizados para crear objetivos personalizados.
La importancia de encontrar atención especializada y crear su red de la EP.
Formas de mantenerse sano física y mentalmente.
Recursos principales para las personas a las que se les acaba de diagnosticar la EP.
Nada puede prepararlo para escuchar las palabras "tiene Parkinson". Desde la confusión hasta el alivio, lo que sienta después de que lo hayan diagnosticado a usted o a un ser querido es completamente natural.
En este artículo, describimos cinco pasos que le ayudarán a procesar un nuevo diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), incluyendo Historias de la EP de personas que cuentan su propio encuentro con la noticia que les cambió la vida.
1. Determine sus objetivos
Planificar cuando hay un nuevo diagnóstico médico puede resultar abrumador si no se sabe dónde encontrar recursos y apoyo. Esto es especialmente cierto si antes no estaba familiarizado con el Parkinson y sus opciones de atención. Armarse de información actualizada puede ayudarle a establecer objetivos a corto y largo plazo para navegar en su recorrido por la EP.
"Cuando me diagnosticaron Parkinson... mi respuesta fue hacer un curso intensivo para aprender todo lo que pudiera acerca de esta enfermedad 'progresiva' y ver qué medidas podía tomar.
Mi objetivo es ser lo más activo posible física y mentalmente. El diagnóstico también me ha hecho reflexionar más acerca de la vida. Aunque no estoy seguro de lo que me espera en el futuro, agradezco haber encontrado un ‘poder a través de la debilidad’. Gracias a esta experiencia, tengo una nueva perspectiva y esperanza en el futuro".
Armado con la información sobre la EP, estará listo para crear hábitos saludables basados en lo que tiene más significado para usted. Lea más acerca de cómo fijarse objetivos específicos y realistas mediante la dieta y la nutrición e inspírese con nuestros videos de fitness adaptados a la EP que presentan un entrenamiento en casa diferente cada mes, incluyendo ejercicios de equilibrio y coordinación para alcanzar sus objetivos de condición física.
2. Busque un experto
Buscar el asesoramiento de un experto en la EP a la hora de procesar un nuevo diagnóstico tiene muchas ventajas. Recomendamos recibir atención de un especialista en trastornos del movimiento o de un neurólogo que haya completado una formación en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson. Sin embargo, tal vez no encuentre estos especialistas, dependiendo de dónde viva.
"El neurólogo me explicó que el Parkinson es un diagnóstico clínico y que yo tenía varios de los síntomas motores (temblor, bradicinesia y rigidez muscular). El neurólogo también me mandó hacer algunas pruebas diagnósticas incluyendo análisis de sangre, una resonancia magnética cerebral y un DaT scan.
Unos meses más tarde, busqué una segunda opinión sobre mi diagnóstico y vi a un especialista en trastornos del movimiento en el Rush University Medical Center, un Centro de Excelencia de la Parkinson's Foundation. Se confirmó: efectivamente, tenía Parkinson".
Encontrar un especialista no tiene por qué ser una tarea desalentadora. Estas son algunas de las maneras en las que puede encontrar a un especialista en la EP:
Pida una recomendación a su médico de atención primaria
Póngase en contacto con su compañía de seguros para obtener una lista de neurólogos o especialistas en trastornos del movimiento de su red
Pida recomendaciones a otras personas que viven con Parkinson
3. Encuentre a alguien con quien hablar y crear su red de apoyo
Puede ser difícil hablar del Parkinson. Expresar sus sentimientos e inquietudes es un paso importante para procesar un diagnóstico de la EP. Además, hablar con un trabajador social tiene muchas ventajas para ayudar a aliviar su ansiedad y crear un plan.
"Con la ayuda de mi trabajadora social, superé la incertidumbre creando planes a corto y largo plazo para mi nueva vida con Parkinson. Me puso en contacto con recursos relevantes para mi estilo de vida y mis síntomas y me animó a prepararme para lo peor pero esperar lo mejor. Para mí, seguiré haciendo todo lo que quiero hacer de la forma que quiero hacerlo, hasta que el Parkinson me quite esa capacidad".
Recomendamos unirse a PD Conversations, un lugar donde hacer preguntas, conectar con otras personas que viven con Parkinson y formar parte de una red de apoyo. Es una gran solución para quienes aún no están listos para compartir públicamente su diagnóstico. También puede seguirnos en redes sociales para mantenerse conectado.
4. Cree hábitos saludables
A medida que procese el diagnóstico, puede ser útil fijarse objetivos personales para mantenerse sano mental y físicamente. Conozca a Frank a continuación y aprenda de su experiencia personal en la creación de hábitos saludables tras un diagnóstico de la EP de inicio temprano.
"Un momento crucial fue cuando me puse en contacto con un especialista en trastornos del movimiento. Esta colaboración cambió mi percepción de cómo manejar el Parkinson. Juntos, creamos un enfoque holístico para enfrentar mis síntomas, estableciendo un plan que giraba en torno al ejercicio, la dieta y el manejo del estrés. Conectamos de una manera profunda que cambió mi perspectiva y me ayudó a aprender nuevas técnicas para afrontar la EP.
Impulsado por la positividad y la visualización, imaginé una vida libre de obstáculos para la movilidad, impulsándome hacia una mayor actividad y menos miedo. Este recorrido de abrazar el Parkinson se convirtió en una lección para entender mi cuerpo y sus señales".
Para aprender más acerca de cómo crear hábitos saludables, explore nuestros webinars en los que participan expertos en la EP, cuyo objetivo es educar y responder a sus preguntas más apremiantes.
5. Manténgase activo
Vivir bien con la EP es posible. Un diagnóstico y recibir una atención adaptada a la EP pueden ayudarle a sentirse motivado y listo para aprender a vivir con la EP a su manera. Ya sea que esté listo para establecer una nueva rutina de ejercicios, priorizar la nutrición o involucrarse como voluntario o promotor de la investigación, podemos ayudarle a empezar.
"Soy entrenadora de fuerza y bienestar desde hace más de 40 años. A medida que mi capacidad para hacer deporte empezó a disminuir, me pareció gratificante dedicar más esfuerzo a entrenar a mis atletas. Ya han pasado un par de años y estoy disfrutando de verdad poniendo mi esfuerzo en entrenar a clientes.
La Parkinson’s Foundation me ha ayudado con recursos e información, webinars, artículos de blog y podcasts. El material y la información han sido invaluables. Mi consejo y mi recomendación para cualquier persona con la EP es que no se rinda y siga adelante.”
Encuentre su comunidad de Parkinson y clases locales de bienestar y ejercicio adaptadas a la EP visitando el sitio web de su Chapter de la Parkinson’s Foundation más cercano. Ayude a generar más conciencia mediante actividades como eventos de Moving Day, nuestra experiencia de ciclismo interior Parkinson’s Revolution y programas locales para ayudar a garantizar que las personas con Parkinson, sus familias y sus aliados en el cuidado vivan lo mejor posible.
¿Listo para participar? ¡Aprenda acerca del voluntariado con la Parkinson's Foundation o ayude a impulsar la investigación acerca del Parkinson al inscribirse en nuestro estudio PD GENEration!
Recursos principales para recién diagnosticados
Explore estas herramientas diseñadas para cualquier persona a la que se le haya diagnosticado Parkinson recientemente:
Línea de Ayuda: llame al 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636), opción 3 para español o escriba a Helpline@Parkinson.org para obtener respuestas a sus preguntas acerca de la EP y referencias de especialistas y clases locales para la EP.
Encuentre recursos en su zona: encuentre un especialista en la EP y recursos cerca de usted, así como el Chapter más cercano.
Mientras aprende a vivir con el Parkinson, estamos para ayudar y empoderarlo en cada etapa. Cuando esté listo, explore nuestra Guía para recién diagnosticados.
Navigating Advancing Needs: Planning Ahead with Parkinson’s
November 20, 2025
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, care needs can become more complex—impacting daily routines, independence, and long-term planning. This webinar will help veterans, and their care partners prepare for the changes that may come with advancing Parkinson’s. We’ll explore strategies for proactive care planning, VA services to support evolving needs, and resources to maintain quality of life through each stage of the disease.
APDA Minnesota Chapter, Parkinson's Foundation, and the Udall Center at the University of Minnesota are the three leading organizations for Parkinson's disease advocacy in Minnesota.
For in-person attendees: In-person check-in and vendor visits start at 9 a.m.
For virtual attendees, via Zoom: The live stream starts at 10 a.m.
Speakers
TBD
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
Check-in begins at 9 am and Program begins at 10 am.
Living with Parkinson’s can be challenging, but there are many things you can do to maintain and improve your quality of life. This program will provide you with information to help you find the balance between a proactive approach and wondering what lies ahead.
Speaker
Reversa Joseph, MS, MD Director of the Movement Disorders Clinic, Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
Living with Parkinson’s disease involves more than just movement challenges—many people also experience non-movement symptoms that can be difficult to recognize, discuss, and manage. This program will focus on bladder/GI issues, psychoses and impulse control disorder, exploring their impact on daily life and relationships. Attendees will learn strategies for discussing sensitive issues and coping techniques to improve well-being.
Speakers
Michael B. Schonberger, DO, MBA, Movement Disorders Specialist, Corewell Health West
Danette Taylor, DO, MS, FACN, Medical Director, Movement Disorders, Trinity Health Grand Rapids
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
Ski for Science is an alpine ski event for all ages, featuring live music, a mountain scavenger hunt, barbecue lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction—all in support of Parkinson’s research.
This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.
