Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to join us for an exciting opportunity to learn about recent scientific breakthroughs and disease management techniques.

Moving Forward, Together will foster an educational and inspirational space for enriching the connection between people with Parkinson's, carepartners, friends, and healthcare professionals. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's provincial conference is moving online! Featuring presentations from prominent Parkinson's specialists and researchers across North America, this year's Moving Forward, Together will be a fully virtual experience.

The half-day event will offer three 45 minute plenary talks, with opportunities for participants to ask their questions of our expert speakers. Just like our in-person event, we will also offer guided exercise breaks.

Plenary topics covered at the Provincial Conference will include:

• Focused Ultrasound Surgery and the Future of Treatment | Dr. Suneil Kalia and Dr. Lorraine Kalia, Associate Professors in the Division of Neurology at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  
• Sleep Issues and Disorders | Dr. Gary Leo, Neurologist at  St. Mary’s Hospital (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA)
  
• Nutrition and the Microbiome | Dr. Silke Appel Cresswell, Movement Disorder Specialist at Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
  

Drumming for Parkinson's Series

This fall, Doug Pickard, REMO Health Rhythms Facilitator and Rock Steady Boxing Affiliate Owner, leads a six-week drumming class for Parkinson's.

Express your feelings with easy-to-follow beats and rhythms, and add drumming to your toolbox of therapies and self-management strategies! Studies have shown that the rhythmic sound and movement of drumming may help improve motor skills, mood, and cognition in people with Parkinson's.

This series will apply the REMO Health Rhythms protocol — a holistic and evidence-based program for healthy, non-strenuous workout with a focus on socialization. One of the main goals of Health Rhythms is to understand the mind-body connection in the context of music-making. Doug and his colleagues are adapting this program to target the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

We welcome all people with Parkinson's disease and their carepartners to these classes. Registrants are encouraged to commit to the full series, as each session will build on skills and techniques introduced weekly. No musical experience is necessary.

Register

Register

SongShine with Joani

This program harnesses the power of the brain, breath, and emotion to reclaim voices. Joani Bye will engage participants in six uplifting sessions of SongShine, a program using singing, breath work, diction, articulation, and creative imagination exercises to strengthen voices affected by Parkinson's or other neurological challenges. SongShine's goal is to help you communicate more easily and clearly, while facilitating a sense of community, camaraderie, and confidence in the process!

Join Joani for immersive, holistic, and fun sessions that will include the following:

• Singing favorite songs
• Relaxation
• Breathing exercises
• Tongue exercises (for articulation and swallowing)
• Linguistic and vocal instruction
• Imagination exercises

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar series, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one.

PLEASE NOTE: The September 30 session of SongShine with Joani has been cancelled due to a conflict with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a statutory holiday observed by Parkinson Society British Columbia. There will be no makeup class rescheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Register

Register

Improv for Parkinson's Series: Laughter is the Best Medicine!

This course is designed to introduce students with Parkinson's disease (PD) to the foundations of improvisation and apply improv skills to life with PD. Participants will build community, learn new skills, work together, tell stories, and laugh!

We encourage family members and carepartners to attend with participants, as many games can be played at home after the class. No previous improv experience necessary.

As with all of our programs, there is a cost to delivering this workshop. Because of the nature and expense associated with this program, it is only open to BC residents. Registration is limited to 12 people. If you have registered for this event, we kindly ask that you commit to attending the full series. If you cannot commit, please contact us so that your spot can be made available to another individual.

Dancing with Latin Rhythms

Explore Latin rhythm and movement in a fun and creative dance series led by Trina Frometa (Dance for PD certified). Through a joyful and non-judgemental process, dancers learn to enhance awareness of grace while focusing on Parkinson’s specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, gait, and posture. All you need is yourself and some space to move around in. No previous dance experience is required.

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson’s to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers. If you are participating in the class as a couple/household, only one registration is required.

PLEASE NOTE: The September 30 session of Dancing with Latin Rhythms has been cancelled due to a conflict with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a statutory holiday observed by Parkinson Society British Columbia. The final session in this series will instead be held the following week, on Thursday, October 7. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Register

September Challenger

Let’s get moving! Kick-start the fall season with the September Challenger, a high-intensity and fast-paced exercise class suitable for those who can stand and move unassisted. PSBC’s own neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, will challenge your balance, coordination, and exercise stamina in this fully standing circuit class similar to its predecessor, the April Challenger.

Equipment needed for these classes include:

• A small cushion/pillow
• 2 light-weight scarves or cloths
• A high-back chair to hold on to
• A wall, free of clutter

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson’s to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one.

Register

Tai Chi for Beginners

Embrace your mind, body, and spirit with low-impact, slow motion exercise. Tai Chi, often referred to as "meditation in motion," is an ancient Chinese martial art practice that improves strength, flexibility, balance, and overall health. Join us for 8 classes of gentle movements and stretches with experienced instructors Sylvia Davis and Virginia Lewis. No prior experience is required.

Register

Hand & Dexterity Exercise Series

Our popular Hand & Dexterity Exercise Series is back for a third time this October with five PD-specific classes. Parkinson Society BC’s own neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, welcomes everyone back with exercises for upper extremity movement, hand dexterity, grip strength, hand-finger coordination, and handwriting practice tips.

All exercises will be done sitting, with a table in front. Required equipment includes:

• a tea towel/ kitchen towel
• a small cushion/pillow
• lined pieces of paper
• a dark marker
• a pen or pencil

Register

Advanced Therapies Panel Series

Join this three-part panel series to learn how advanced therapies may help ease Parkinson’s symptoms. Each session will feature a movement disorder specialist, person with Parkinson's disease, and carepartner, providing their expertise on Deep Brain Stimulation, Duodopa^®, and Apomorphine.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists – please send your questions in advance to Alana Dhillon at adhillon@parkinson.bc.ca.

Please note that separate registration is required for each session. 

Global Symposium Series

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex and diverse condition. To assist in expanding your knowledge of PD, Parkinson Society British Columbia will be hosting three webinars in this symposium series, featuring talks from global experts.

Please note that separate registration is required for each session. 

Thank you to our Global Symposium Series sponsor:

Healthcare Professional Stream: Digital Health and Parkinson's Disease

Health care professionals (HCPs) of all disciplines working with the Parkinson’s community are invited to join Dr. Jennifer O’Neil (PhD) for this two-part training series discussing clinical applications of digital health for the Parkinson’s population.

During the pandemic, many healthcare professionals have had to adapt to using digital health services, often with minimal prior experience. By participating in this training series, HCPs will elevate their digital health knowledge through applying new concepts to deliver effective sessions while considering the patient’s motor impairments (e.g. balance and mobility) and cognitive impairments (e.g. executive functioning, spatial awareness, aphasia).

Learn to effectively monitor patient health through techniques for preparing the patient, setting up proper video background, “training” and navigating the caregiver, and critically thinking around the use of various technology (e.g. videoconference, activity tracking devices, applications, virtual reality). Participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the evolving role and application of digital health in our post-pandemic healthcare system.

Facilitator Dr. Jennifer O’Neil is a physiotherapist with a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on the accessibility of physiotherapy interventions and the use of technology to improve access to rehabilitation in the moderate to severe traumatic brain injury population. Jennifer is a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa, coordinating the clinical neurology course within the physiotherapy program. As the founder of Reachable Rehab, she strives to increase accessibility of rehabilitation by providing continuing education and consulting services.

Parkinson's Support Groups

Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) Support Group

Parkinson Society British Columbia is offering an online YOPD support group. This group is meant for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's under the age of 60. 

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom. 

2^nd Tuesday of each month
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm PT

Register

New Diagnosis Support Group

Parkinson Society British Columbia is offering an online support group for those newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who wish to get connected with the Parkinson's community and find community while adjusting to their diagnosis.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

1^st Tuesday of each month
1:30 pm –3:00 pm PT

Register Now

Parkinson's Disease Support Group

In an effort to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, many support groups have cancelled meetings until further notice. As a substitute, we have started a new weekly online support group for the Parkinson’s community to help stay connected and support each other during this time.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

1^st Friday of each month
9:00 am – 10:30 am PT

Register Now

Bereavement Support Group for People with Parkinson's

Rebuilding your life after the loss of a loved one is a journey of healing that requires the combination of love, support and time. Dealing with the challenges of Parkinson's disease as well as your grief, can contribute to feeling even more alone and alienated. It can be very comforting in those darker times to be with others who are experiencing some of the same challenges and who understand your confusion and pain. Meeting others who are beginning to experience some of the joy of life again can be can bring hope, if you have yet to experience it.

The professionally facilitated Bereavement Support Group for PwP, is offered by Parkinson Society BC by Zoom, and is open to anyone who has Parkinson's and is dealing with the challenges of grief and loss. The group will meet the third Wednesday of each month at 11:00am.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom. 

3^rd Wednesday of each month
11:00 am – 12:30 pm PT

Register Now

Caregiving & Bereavement Support Groups

Early to Mid-Stage Parkinson's Carepartner Support Group

This monthly online support group is geared for individuals caring for someone with early to mid-stage Parkinson's disease. Whether you are a spouse, partner, adult child, or friend, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to join our growing online community of support.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

3^rd Wednesday of each month 
9:00 am – 10:30 am PT

Register Now

Advanced Parkinson's Carepartner Support Group

This new monthly online support group is designed for individuals caring for someone with advanced Parkinson's disease, which can be characterized by complex medical needs and/or changes in cognition that require help in almost all areas of daily life.

Whether you are a spouse, partner, adult child, or friend, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to join our growing online community fostering connection with others who share similar experiences.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

4^th Thursday of each month
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm PT

Register Now

Bereavement Support Group

When a loved one passes away, it is one of life's most difficult experiences. Rebuilding your life after the loss of a loved one is a journey of healing that requires a combination of love, support, and time. It may bring hope and comfort to connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges, and who can relate to your confusion and pain.

The professionally facilitated Bereavement Support Group, is offered by Parkinson Society BC by Zoom, and is open to anyone who is dealing with the challenges of loss and grief. The group will meet every second week on Tuesdays at 1:00pm.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom. 

2^nd Tuesday of each month
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm PT

Register Now