On February 11th, Columbia’s Taub Institute hosted Dr. Lori Quinn, Associate Professor of Movement Science and Kinesiology at Teachers College at Columbia University to speak on exercise for Lewy Body disorders. Dr. Quinn explained why exercise is important for those with Lewy Body Disorders. When the speaker refers to Lewy Body disorders, she means Lewy Body dementias, including Parkinson’s Disease dementia. Exercise helps improve brain function and has a neuroprotective effect.

On February 16th, The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) hosted Lisa Sommers to speak about Parkinson’s disease (PD) and communication.  Lisa is the clinic director, Center for Language Speech, and Hearing, University of Massachusetts Amherst.  Lisa discussed the cognitive and communicative changes that happen during the course of PD and their personal impact. She detailed different treatment options such as LSVT Loud and pacing boards. 

On February 5th, the Parkinson’s Foundation (PF) hosted a webinar “Getting the Care You Need: Parkinson’s in the Hospital,” which focused on the challenges those with PD have in the hospital. 

The Parkinson’s Foundation hosted a webinar on “Motor Symptoms Co-Management:  Occupational Therapy and Neurology.” The speakers were a movement disorder specialist, occupational therapist, and a person with Parkinson’s disease (PD) The speakers reviewed the four cardinal motor symptoms of Parkinson’s (tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability), discussed what the neurologist and occupational therapist can do to help, and how it feels to have these symptoms. 

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) hosted a webinar in December 2020 on managing burnout in caregivers for Parkinson’s disease (PD). There were four panelists: a social worker, two caregivers, and a person with Parkinson’s. They talked about being a caregiver to people with Parkinson’s disease while managing stress. They also answered audience questions throughout the session. 

On February 3rd, the Parkinson and Movement Disorder Alliance hosted Anwar Ahmed, MD, a movement disorder specialist. Dystonia is not a diagnosis, rather a symptom of abnormal and involuntary sustained muscle contractions or pulling, and posture movements. 

The World Parkinson Coalition (WPC) hosted a session in early December 2020 for care partners of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this combined presentation, panel discussion, and question and answer session, four speakers talked about creative, non-medical approaches to managing care partner wellness as they support their person with Parkinson’s (PWP). The panelists included a movement disorder specialist, a social worker, a person with Parkinson’s, and his care partner. 

The webinar “YOPD Women, Diagnosis, and Symptoms'' was presented by the YOPD Women Council at the Davis Phinney Foundation.  YOPD is Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease, where Parkinson’s is diagnosed earlier in life.  This was the first in a new webinar series for YOPD women, to be held the first Wednesday of every month. The panelists spoke of their experience with Parkinson’s, how they came to be diagnosed, unique symptoms they’ve had, and recommendations for how women can advocate for themselves. 

On February 10th and 11th Dementia Alliance of North Carolina hosted the first Dr. Daniel Kaufer Memorial Caregiver Conference.  The theme of the conference was Behaviors: Awareness, Attitude (Day 1), and Action (Day 2).  I attended three sessions on Day 1.  These notes have relevance for those dealing with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia.