Many Northern and Central California Parkinson’s support groups have guest speakers or programs planned for May 2016. Here’s what’s happening at a support group near you.
Do you need to know the support group meeting location, day/time, contact info, and how to RSVP if required? Please refer to the Stanford Parkinson’s website for all Northern and Central California support groups.
What does it mean if a support group you sometimes attend isn’t listed below? It might mean that the group doesn’t have its regular meeting this month, that this month’s meeting doesn’t have a guest speaker, or that the guest speaker info didn’t arrive from the group in time to be added here. Last but not least, it could mean that I messed up. If you are not a regular attendee of a group, it’s always a good idea to call the group leader to confirm the meeting!
Robin
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Lodi
Monday, 5/2, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Pam Byrne, PhD, RN, Transitions Program, Hospice of San Joaquin, Lodi
Topic: Overview of programs to help people celebrate their days
RSVP?: No.
San Andreas (Calaveras County)
Tuesday, 5/3, 10am-noon (speaker starts about 10:30am)
Guest Speaker: Scott McIntosh, pharmacy manager, Amador County Walmart Pharmacy
Topic: PD medications
RSVP?: No.
Placerville
Tuesday, 5/3, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker: Kelly Ward, Fall Prevention Lady
Topics: Fall prevention
RSVP?: No.
Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 5/4, 1-2:30pm
Guest Speaker: Lucille Des Jardin, attorney
Topic: Practical estate planning – peace of mind and a gift to survivors
RSVP?: No.
Chico
Wednesday, 5/4, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker: Joni Sample
Topics: Your brain and your attitude – how they help you right now
RSVP?: No.
Half Moon Bay
Thursday, 5/5, 2:30-3:30pm (new time)
Guest Speaker: Sarah Thornhill, San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force
Topic: Fall prevention
RSVP?: No.
San Jose/Willow Glen
Friday, 5/6, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Dedra Jize, geriatric care manager, Law Office of Roy W. Litherland, Campbell
Topics: Life planning, long-term care, and emergency situations
RSVP?: No.
Visalia (Central Valley)
Friday, 5/6, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Robert Dahill, PT, physical therapist, Kaweah Delta Hospital Rehab
Topic: Physical therapy for PD
RSVP?: No.
Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 5/7, 1-3:15pm (speaker from 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker: John Samples, PhD, speech/language pathologist, and Kate Williams, speech/language pathologist, Santa Rosa Speech & Language Services, Santa Rosa
Topics: Speech and swallowing difficulties with PD
RSVP?: No.
Lakeport
Monday, 5/9, 3-4:30pm (new time this month only)
Guest Speaker: Maya Katz, MD, movement disorder specialist, UCSF and SF VA
Topic: Delaying PD – where are we now?
RSVP?: No.
Auburn Caregivers
Tuesday, 5/10, noon-1:30pm
Guest Speaker: Michelle Nevins, executive director, Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, Citrus Heights
Topic: Understanding the complexity of and moving through grief
RSVP?: No.
Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 5/10, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker: Jeanine Yip, DPT, NCS, neurologic physical therapist, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Monterey
Topics: PWR! program and effective movement
RSVP?: No.
Palo Alto YOPD (Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease)
Tuesday, 5/10, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker: Veronica Santini, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford University
Topic: Finding the right medications for your PD
RSVP?: Yes, requested if this is your first time attending meeting. Contact group leader Martha Gardner at least a day before meeting.
Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 5/11, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker: Diana Blum, MD, neurologist, Peninsula Private Neurology, Menlo Park
Topics: Things to discuss with your neurologist – symptoms, exercise, memory issues, and research participation
RSVP?: No.
Millbrae/Magnolia
Thursday, 5/12, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker: Laura Logsdon, RN, AbbVie
Topic: Duopa
RSVP?: No.
Stockton
Thursday, 5/12, 1:30-3pm
Discussion Topic: Do you have a tip for a good night’s sleep?
RSVP?: No.
Redding
Friday, 5/13, 1-3:30pm (program begins at 1pm)
Guest Speakers: Parkinson’s Patients Support Groups representatives
Topic: General Parkinson’s Q&A
RSVP?: No.
Fresno
Saturday, 5/14, 10am-noon
Program: Small group discussion
RSVP?: No.
Sacramento Post-DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)/Kaiser
Monday, 5/16, 10am-noon
Discussion Topic: Non-motor concerns
RSVP?: Yes, required. RSVP to Kaiser Sacramento Neuroscience Reception Desk, 916-973-6860
Lincoln
Tuesday, 5/17, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Christine Epperson, Roseville Rock Steady Boxing
Topic: Boxing for PD
RSVP?: No.
Auburn
Tuesday, 5/17, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker: Eric Egli, PhD, psychologist, Kaiser Roseville Behavioral Medicine
Topic: Living with the challenge of PD
RSVP?: No.
San Jose/Villages
Tuesday, 5/17, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker: Shenly Glenn, CEO, Miro, San Francisco
Topic: Community-based study of non-motor aspects of neurological disorders
RSVP?: Yes, required, if you are not a resident of The Villages. Call group leader Alice Pratte, 408-223-8033, well in advance of meeting as your name must be put on a list of those authorized to enter this gated community.
Sunnyvale DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)
Wednesday, 5/18, 1:30-3:30pm
Guest Speaker: Neng Huang, MD, PhD, movement disorder specialist, Valley Parkinson Clinic, Los Gatos
Topic: Current research on DBS
RSVP?: No.
Merced
Thursday, 5/19, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: George Johnston, attorney, DBS PD patient, and author
Topic: PD experience
RSVP?: No.
Sacramento/Arden Arcade
Thursday, 5/19, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Paul McCarthy, director, Fit4U Fitness Center, Sacramento
Topic: PWR! Moves program
RSVP?: No.
Davis
Thursday, 5/19, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker: Janet Hilliard, poet, novelist, and dance group member
Topic: Creativity therapy benefits
RSVP?: No.
Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 5/21, 9am-noon (guest speaker 10:45am-noon)
Guest Speaker: Nicholas Galifianakis, MD, movement disorder specialist, UCSF
Topic: Filling the gap in treatment – non-motor symptoms and neuro-protection
RSVP?: No.
Fremont
Monday, 5/23, 7-9:30pm
Guest Speaker: Shirley White, estate lawyer
Topic: Estate planning
RSVP?: No.