While most Northern and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support groups have holiday parties or are not meeting in December, a few groups do have meetings with speakers or programs. See the list below of what is happening near you…
Two special notes: The Palo Alto group (meeting on December 11th) has changed locations to a new venue downtown, as of a couple of months ago. And there’s a quarterly DBS support group meeting at Stanford this month (meeting on December 19th).
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? For December, that usually means the group is not meeting or is having a holiday party. 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.)
Stay warm and dry,
Robin Riddle
parkinsons.stanford.edu
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San Francisco YOPD (Young Onset PD)/UCSF
Tuesday, 12/3, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker: Prarthana Prakash, MD, neurology fellow, UCSF
Topic: PD sub-types
RSVP?: Yes, to Monica Volz.
Chico
Wednesday, 12/4, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker: Megan Willi, speech/language pathologist, CSU Chico
Topic: LSVT LOUD – update and demonstration
RSVP?: No.
Carmichael YOPD (Young Onset PD)
Wednesday, 12/4, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker: Angela Leahy, clinical pharmacist, Sutter
Topic: Current treatment and future therapies with PD medications
RSVP?: No.
San Jose – Willow Glen
Friday, 12/6, 10am-noon (program begins about 10:15am)
Guest Speaker: Sharon Jung, NP, Puget Sound Neurology, Tacoma
Topic: Management of off-episodes using Apokyn
RSVP?: No.
Half Moon Bay
Friday, 12/6, 12:15-1:15pm (special time for December only)
Guest Speaker: Randy Hoffman, speech/language pathologist, Palo Alto Speech
Topic: Speech and swallowing issues in PD
RSVP?: No.
Napa YOPD (Young Onset PD) – all ages welcome
Saturday, 12/8, 3-5pm
Holiday party plus
Guest Speaker: Winslow Rouse, tai chi instructor
Topic: Tai chi and PD
RSVP?: Yes, to Kathay Smith.
Palo Alto/Channing House (new meeting location!)
Wednesday, 12/11, 2:30-4pm
Program: Discussion groups of those with PD and caregivers. Facilitated by Sydney Fergason, Rock Steady Boxing Bay Area, and others. Plus fun (!) brain games and food.
RSVP?: No.
Sonoma
Thursday, 12/12, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Jeff Solomon, Boston Scientific
Topic: Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
RSVP?: No.
Eureka
Friday, 12/13, 3-4pm
Guest Speaker: Glenda Hesseltine, Humboldt Patient Resource Center
Topic: Tai chi for PD and pain management
RSVP?: No.
Woodland
Tuesday, 12/17, 1-2:30pm (special day for December only)
Guest Speaker: Dr. Gerred PopeJoy, Nordic Walking Nations, Fair Oaks
Topic: Nordic pole walking for people with PD
RSVP?: Required as seating limited. RSVP to Bernadette Murray, phone 530-661-1950.
Palo Alto Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)/Stanford
Thursday, 12/19, 11am lunch available, 11:30am-12:45pm program
Panel Discussion about DBS with two people with PD who have had DBS and one caregiver to someone who has had DBS
RSVP?: Required by noon on Tuesday 12/17 to Steven Russell, Stanford, phone 650-995-6379. Indicate how many in your party. Lunch is provided.
Davis
Thursday, 12/19, 1:30-3pm
Program: A music director will demonstrate warm-up techniques for voice strengthening
RSVP?: No.
Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 12/21, 10-11:45am (program begins at 10:30am)
Guest Speaker: Robert Cochrane, PhD student in kinesiology, UNLV
Topic: Improv to improve PD
Plus holiday party
RSVP?: No.