In-person check-in starts at 9:30 a.m.

The Care Partner Summit brings care partners together to provide resources to make life better for themselves and their loved one with Parkinson’s disease. This year’s Summit will focus on how to communicate through difficult topics and find supportive connections. Join us in person in Atlanta, GA!

Speakers and Panelists

Tammyjo Best, LPN
Emory Brain Health Center

Sandy Bramlett, M.Ed.
Certified Ageless Grace Brain Health Trainer/Educator

Russell Brown, LCSW
Emory Brain Health Center

Menandie du Plessis, MHS, OTR/L
Emory Brain Health Center

Gwenyth Johnson, MS, RD, LD
Vivid HealthStyle LLC

Randi Jones, PhD

Brittany Hooker, DPT
Synapse NeuroRehab and Wellness

Cindy Nelson, JD
Nelson Elder Law, LLC

Rachel Scarboro, OTD, OTR/L
Georgia Tech Tools for Life

Jack Shen, MD
Wellstar Neurology

Ashley Varner, PhD, LCSW
Emory Healthcare, Cognitive Neurology Program

Care Partner Panelists: Susan Brown & Marie Head

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Check-in & Exhibitor Booths Open at 9:30 a.m. CDT

After many years of good symptom management, Parkinson's disease may become more challenging. Learn how Parkinson's symptoms may change over time and new strategies available for managing them. Get your Parkinson's questions answered by a movement disorder specialist and a panel of Parkinson's experts.

Featured Speakers and Panelists:

Brian Copeland, MD
LSU Health - New Orleans

Ruth Fredericks, MD
St. Dominic Neuroscience Center

Bobby Graham, MD
St. Dominic Hospital

Kelly Priest, MCD, CCC-SLP
Methodist Rehab

Dianne Platt, RN

Rhonda Fetcko, PT
Elite Physical Therapy

Don Waller, MS, LPC
Summit Counseling

Lunch will be served.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their families, friends, and the community.

Self-care is important for care partners. This webinar will highlight the unique experiences of several care partners throughout their Parkinson's journey. Explore how self-care varies in different contexts and at different stages of your loved one's Parkinson's disease.

Speaker

Annie Brooks (Wallis), MSW
Director, Strategic Initiatives, Parkinson's Foundation

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Join us for a class that combines PWR! Moves with strength, balance and mobility for exercise designed to improve posture, power and confidence. We’ll take balance to the next level, adding quick stepping drills to help you move fast when you need to, but stay on your feet like you want to. Recommended equipment for this class includes 2 small to medium weights (or soup cans or water bottles) and a chair.

Please keep a bottle of water nearby. Enjoy the session!

Instructors

Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS, PWR! Moves Certified Therapist

Dr. Tami DeAngelis, PT, DPT

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.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that 110,000 veterans have Parkinson’s disease (PD). While the exact cause of Parkinson's is unknown, research suggests that its cause can be linked to genetic and environmental factors. This webinar will discuss how, for some veterans, environmental exposure and toxins can increase the risk of PD, and the role head trauma plays in the development of PD.

Speaker

Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD, Neurologist
The Center for Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders
San Francisco VA Medical Center

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Advancing PD may bring the need for more planning to best address your care needs. In this session experts will discuss helpful tips on preparing for your future and making decisions regarding advanced care and treatments as a veteran living with Parkinson’s.

Speaker

Emily Hall, LCSW
Southeast PADRECC Senior Social Worker
Central Virginia VA Healthcare System

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

For veteran’s living with Parkinson’s disease, non-motor challenges are not always easy to discuss. With a focus on mood changes, including anxiety, depression, and apathy, this program will provide strategies for coping and talking about it with healthcare providers or loved ones.

Speaker

Megan Gomez, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Tibor Rubin Medical Center
Long Beach, CA

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Speaker

Lauren L. Fink, PA
Shareholder at Maser, Amundson & Boggio

Lauren practices in the areas of Elder Law and Estate Planning, which include helping establishing estate plans for clients, long-term care planning, asset preservation strategies, planning with government benefits such as Medical Assistance and Veterans benefits, special needs planning, and probate and trust administrations.

Lauren chose to become an attorney because her parents were caretakers for many elders in her family. She saw how difficult their job was and wanted the tools to be able to act as a valued guide for others who care for elders. Lauren’s warm approach puts her clients at ease as she helps them develop a plan, making sure they are confident about their situations and futures.

Lauren obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. Lauren is the Vice Chair of the Elder Law Governing Council of the Elder Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the Chair of the Education Committee of the Elder Law Section. Lauren is also the past President of the Advisory Board of the Minnesota Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. Additionally, Lauren is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and the Secretary of the Board of the Minnesota Chapter of NAELA.

Join us every Monday as our expert speaker leads you in guided relaxation techniques to help boost brain power and reduce stress.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Crista Ellis, BS, RYT-200 - Yoga and Meditation teacher, Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation 

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Join health psychologist, Taylor Rush, PhD, as she explores different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Taylor Rush, PhD - Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.