Many Northern and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support groups meetings have speakers or discussion programs planned in April 2019.  See the list below of what else is happening near you…

There is a new group happening in Palo Alto. The Menlo Park group has moved back to Palo Alto, with a slightly changed start time.  The renovation of the Avenidas senior center will be completed by then.

And Redding is having its annual PD conference on April 12th.  The registration deadline is April 5th.

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?  Generally, it means that there is no speaker at the meeting.  So, it’s an open discussion format. It might mean that the guest speaker info didn’t arrive from the group in time to be added here.  Or, 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! (See this list for the group leader’s contact info.)

Take care,
Robin Riddle
parkinsons.stanford.edu

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San Andreas (Calaveras County)
Tuesday, 4/2, 10am-noon
Program:  Break into two discussion groups — care partners and those with Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Roseville
Tuesday, 4/2, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  DeeAnne Hamilton, PTA, physical therapist assistant, Sutter Roseville
Topic:  Using walking sticks
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco Young Onset PD/UCSF
Tuesday, 4/2, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Cecelia Beam, SF Ballet School, dance instructor for PD dance
RSVP?  Yes to Monica Volz, UCSF, 415-353-7382
Note:  Wear comfortable clothing

Chico
Wednesday, 4/3, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Rylee Thompson, Boston Scientific
Topic:  Deep brain stimulation
RSVP?:  No.

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 4/3, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Gena Lennon, Parkinson’s Foundation
Topic:  Hospital safety for people with Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Brentwood
Wednesday, 4/3, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Gwen O’Neill
Topic:  Nutrition
RSVP?:  No.

San Jose/Willow Glen
Friday, 4/5, 10am-noon  (program begins about 10:15am)
Brief Guest Speaker #1:  Johanna O’Day, Parkinson’s Story Exchange
Brief Guest Speaker #2:  Gena Lennon, Parkinson’s Foundation
Program:  Discussion groups — caregivers and those with PD
RSVP?:  No.

Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 4/6, 1-3:15pm  (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Cheryl Fox, RN, Fox & Associates Home Health
Topic:  Community resources for the highest quality of life possible
RSVP?:  No.

Bakersfield
Tuesday, 4/9, 2-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Lisa Bennett, estate coordinator, Law Office of Philip Flanigan
Topic:  Trusts and advance planning
RSVP?:  No.

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 4/9, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Michael Jacobson, MD, PhD, urologist, Montage Medical Group
Topic:  Management of urinary symptoms in PD
RSVP?:  No. 

Palo Alto Young Onset PD/Stanford
Tuesday, 4/9, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Sarah Gafney, Case Remodeling, San Jose
Topic:  Designing the adaptable home
RSVP?:  Yes, if you are a first-time attendee.  RSVP to group leader John Mamin at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 4/10, 2:30-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Ellen Corman, Stanford Farewell to Falls
Topic:  Fall prevention in PD, other movement disorders, and for us all
Note:  New location (Avenidas, 450 Bryant, Palo Alto) and new start time (2:30pm)
RSVP?:  No.

Sonoma
Thursday, 4/11, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Jamie Escoubas, Adult Day Respite Program Manager, Council on Aging, Santa Rosa
Topic:  Normal aging vs. dementia
RSVP?  No.

Sacramento/Natomas
Thursday, 4/11, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Lori Diaz, Rock Steady Boxing West Sacramento
RSVP?  No.

Stockton
Thursday, 4/11, 1:30-3pm
Program:  Discussion groups — those with Parkinson’s and caregivers
RSVP?:  No.

Redding – Annual PD Conference
Friday, 4/12, 8am-4:30pm
Speakers include:
Guest Speaker #1:  Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist, Menlo Park
Topic #1:  Medications
Guest Speaker #2:  Diana Partovi, PsyD, psychologist, VA Northern California
Topic #2:  Cognition in PD
Note:  Free.  Light breakfast (8am) and lunch provided.
RSVP?:  Yes, required by April 5.  Online
Questions:  Contact Kim, 530-945-7628

Clovis (Greater Fresno)
Saturday, 4/13, 10am-noon
Speakers:  Teresa Roque-Dunaway and Lisa Garver, Coordinated Care
Topic:  Putting together a total plan for a family
RSVP?:  No.

Pleasanton
Saturday, 4/13, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker #1:  Priti Chitale, DPT, physical therapist, Agility Neuro Physical Therapy
Topic #1:  Re-learning movements of daily life
Guest Speaker #2:  Lori Santo, RSB East Bay
Topic #2:  Rock Steady Boxing demonstration
RSVP?:  No.

Berkeley 
Saturday, 4/13, 10:30am-12:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Ethan Brown, MD, neurologist, UCSF
Topic:  Gut microbiata and PD
Note:  Suggested $10 donation
RSVP?:  Yes, required.  Online at  Questions:  Contact PD Active, 510-479-6119

Union City
Tuesday, 4/16, 2:45-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Priti Chitale, DPT, NCS, physical therapist, Agility Neuro Physical Therapy, Pleasanton
Topic:  Caring for the spine and avoiding problems during PD exercise Note:  New meeting day — third Tuesday, not second Tuesday, as of April 2019.
RSVP?:  No.

Mountain View DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)
Wednesday, 4/17, 1:30-3:30pm
Guest Speaker #1:  Kathy Waddell, Operation Freedom Paws
Guest Speaker #2:  Gena Lennon, Parkinson’s Foundation
RSVP?:  Yes, preferred so that meeting room can be confirmed.  Call Charmaine Eng, PPSG, 408-723-8116

Sacramento Post-DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)/Sutter
Wednesday, 4/17, 2:30-4:30pm
Topic:  What to expect over time post-DBS
RSVP?:  Yes, required.  Call Linda Ramatowski, NP, Sutter, phone 916-454-6936, mailbox 46936.

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 4/20, 10am-noon  (speakers begin at 10:45am)
Guest Speakers:  Mary McQuillen, advancement officer, and Jennifer Riedel, associate director, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Topic:  Update on promising PD research; legislation; getting involved in research
RSVP?:  No.

Fremont
Monday, 4/22, 7-9:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Shirley White, estate lawyer
Topic:  Financial planning
RSVP?:  No.

Napa Young Onset PD (YOPD)
Sunday, 4/28, 3-5pm  (speaker 4-5pm)
Guest Speaker:  Dr. William Troutt, naturopathic medical doctor
Topic:  Cannabis and PD
RSVP?:  No.