Wellness Wednesday: Expert Briefing Series

Gait and balance issues are common challenges for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), increasing the risk of falls and impacting mobility and independence. This program provides a comprehensive exploration of the factors that contribute to gait and balance difficulties in PD, such as muscle rigidity, postural instability, and coordination challenges.

Speaker

Mitra Afshari, MD, MPH
Director, Neurointerventional Program for Movement Disorders, University of Illinois Hospital 

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.

Wellness Wednesday: Expert Briefing Series

Medication plays a key role in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD), but it’s only one part of a comprehensive care plan. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how medications work, their intended benefits, and common side effects. We will address the natural progression of Parkinson’s and the changes in medication regimens that may be necessary over time. By managing expectations, participants can build a more sustainable strategy for living well with PD.

Speaker

Danny Bega, MD, MSCI
Associate Professor of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Director, Neurology Residency Program, Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center
Medical Director, NM PDMDC
Director, Huntington's Disease Program, HDSA Center of Excellence

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.

We want to thank this webinar's sponsor, UCB for supporting our mission. 

Research aimed at exploring therapies that could possibly change the course of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is rapidly evolving. Current Parkinson’s treatments mainly focus on managing symptoms because there are no disease-modifying therapies available at this time. But researchers are excited about the potential of current studies to improve, slow or someday stop PD. 

Speaker

Lorraine Kalia, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Toronto Western Research Institute and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases

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.

When most people think of Parkinson’s disease, they often picture tremors or stiffness—but there’s much more to the experience than meets the eye. Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances, mood changes, fatigue, and cognitive challenges can significantly impact quality of life, often even more than motor symptoms. We’ll explore the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. Learn how to recognize, manage, and talk with your care team about these often-overlooked aspects of the disease.

Speaker

Mary Feldman, DO
Neurologist & Movement Disorder Specialist, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical  Center, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence  

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.

This session focuses on safe and mindful walking, with options for slow, quick, turning, and pivoting steps. You’ll learn how to align your body and move with greater ease across the floor. 

What to bring: Two folding chairs, a tennis ball, and a small object like a tissue box or water bottle 

Great for: All levels—seated modifications available

Instructor

Judith Sachs
Certified Dance for PD
Certified A Matter of Balance

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.

This session emphasizes mindful breathing and gentle, fluid movements designed to support mobility, balance, and relaxation for those living with Parkinson’s. Seated and standing poses, combined with intentional breathwork, help reduce stress, enhance circulation, and promote a greater sense of connection between mind and body. By focusing on controlled movement and breath awareness, this practice can help ease stiffness, improve posture, and foster overall well-being—leaving you feeling more energized and centered.

Instructor

Annela Flores
Senior Program Director and Music Therapist, MusicWorx Inc.
Co-Owner of Union Yoga in San Diego, CA

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.

Regístrese Aquí

En este webinar, exploraremos los cambios en el estado de ánimo y el pensamiento asociados con la enfermedad de Parkinson. Analizaremos cómo éstos afectan la vida diaria, las interacciones sociales y el bienestar emocional, tanto de las personas con Parkinson como de sus aliados en el cuidado. Además, discutiremos estrategias para afrontar estos cambios y aumentar la motivación.

Presentadora

Ileana Pacheco- Colón, PhD
Neuropsicóloga clínica
Licenciada en psicología
Neuropsychology Associates of Miami

¿En busca de algo más? Podrá encontrar todos nuestros videos de EP Salud en Casa en YouTube.

Más información:

Todos los eventos de “EP Salud en Casa" – Parkinson.org/EPSalud.

Una lista de nuestros recursos en español – Parkinson.org/Recursos

Línea de Ayuda – 1-800-473-4636, opción 3 para español.

Regístrese Aquí

En este webinar, exploraremos el impacto de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) en el habla y la deglución, analizando qué sucede en la garganta que dificulta estas funciones. Además, presentaremos estrategias y ejercicios prácticos para mejorar la comunicación y la seguridad al tragar, promoviendo una mejor calidad de vida.

Presentadora

Ana Molano MS, CCC-SLP 
Especialista clínica en voz y deglución
Voice Rehab 

¿En busca de algo más? Podrá encontrar todos nuestros videos de EP Salud en Casa en YouTube.

Más información:

Todos los eventos de “EP Salud en Casa" – Parkinson.org/EPSalud.

Una lista de nuestros recursos en español – Parkinson.org/Recursos

Línea de Ayuda – 1-800-473-4636, opción 3 para español.

Regístrese Aquí

Este webinar ofrecerá una visión general sobre los diferentes tipos de investigación clínica, incluyendo la observacional y la intervencional. Exploraremos investigaciones psicosociales enfocadas en mejorar la comunicación en personas con la enfermedad de Parkinson y cómo las opiniones de los participantes son esenciales para la creación de grupos de apoyo culturalmente inclusivos. Se destacarán las perspectivas de los participantes y se discutirán formas de involucrarse en estudios de investigación para contribuir al avance del cuidado de Parkinson.

Presentadora

Gemma Moya-Galé, PhD, CCC-SLP  
Profesora adjunta, Programa en Ciencias y Trastornos de la Comunicación 
Directora del Laboratorio Comunicación, Tecnología y Diversidad Lingüística 
Directora, Speech for PD
Teachers College, Columbia University (un Centro de Excelencia de la Parkinson's Foundation)
 

¿En busca de algo más? Podrá encontrar todos nuestros videos de EP Salud en Casa en YouTube.

Más información:

Todos los eventos de “EP Salud en Casa" – Parkinson.org/EPSalud.

Una lista de nuestros recursos en español – Parkinson.org/Recursos

Línea de Ayuda – 1-800-473-4636, opción 3 para español.

Movement symptoms can complicate the daily activities a person living with Parkinson’s once did easily, like getting dressed, eating, sleeping and even walking. It can be hard to adjust to these changes, but there are many things you can do to support a good quality of life.  You will learn practical tools and strategies that can help you address the movement challenges that are common in PD.

Speaker

Rachel T. Rose 
MOT, OTR/L, Senior Occupational Therapist
Certified Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention Instructor, Iowa Healthcare

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.