The following is a list of our planned education events at present. Those events indicating they are to be determined (TBD) will still require further arrangements with local groups, speakers and venues.
To view full details on an event or event type, click on the title of the event, and the area will expand to reveal further information.
Centre for Applied Neurogenetics: Lab Tour
Dr. Matthew Farrer invites you to join him and his team on a tour of their laboratory at the Centre for Applied Neurogenetics (CAN) at the University of British Columbia. Research at the CAN is focused on deciphering the underlying causes of Parkinson’s disease and testing therapeutic interventions.
This half day event will include a tour of the lab, presentations showcasing current research projects being done at the CAN, and an opportunity for individuals to ask questions.
| Date: |
Wednesday, May 22 |
| Time: |
2:00pm – 5:00pm |
| Location: |
Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver [map]
|
| Capacity: |
40 registrants
|
| Fees: |
Free |
This event has reached capacity. If you are interested in attending, you may add your name to the waitlist below, and a PSBC staff member will be in touch if a space becomes available.
Join Waitlist
Time Out for Carepartners, Port Coquitlam
Parkinson Society British Columbia recognizes the efforts made by carepartners and caregivers every day. On May 25, we invite all carepartners/caregivers to join us for an after of education, socialization and relaxation.
Guest speakers will share experiences and strategies for coping with the complexities that arise as a result of Parkinson's disease.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Special notice: An adjacent room will be available for people with Parkinson's (PwP) to partake in activities (e.g., light exercise, dancing, singing), while their carepartner/caregiver participates in the sessions. We ask that PwP coming to the event respect this room divide, and not attend sessions unintended for them. This room will be managed by volunteers who will provide companionship and light exercise activities. The volunteers will not be medical professionals.
| Date: |
Saturday, May 25 |
| Time: |
1:00pm – 4:30pm |
| Location: |
PoCo Inn and Suites Hotel & Conference Centre
1545 Lougheed Highway, Port Coquitlam [map] |
| Capacity: |
40 workshop registrants / 40 PwP
|
| Fees: |
PSBC Member: $30 | Member Couple/Pair: $45
Non-member: $40 | Non-member Couple/Pair: $55 |
Register Now
Communication & Swallow Workshop, Quesnel
This full-day interactive and participatory workshop, led by Registered Speech Language Pathologist, Sherri Zelazny, will focus on the communication and swallowing challenges faced by people with Parkinson's (PwP). It is open to those already experiencing communication and swallowing challenges, as well as those who wish to be proactive in their treatment.
Our communication and swallow workshops utilize methods developed as part of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment® (LSVT®) which have been clinically proven to enhance communication for individuals with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions.
If you have Parkinson's but are not currently experiencing communication or swallowing difficulties, participating in the workshop may help reduce stress, frustration and complications related to communication down the road.
If you already experience issues with communication and swallowing, this workshop will provide you with effective evidence-based tools to address common problems of disordered articulation, diminished facial expression and impaired swallowing.
If you are a healthcare professional looking to learn more about communication and swallowing challenges for people with Parkinson's and methods to support your clients, this workshop will provide you with a general understanding.
Participants will be required to watch a pre-workshop webinar and complete a questionnaire prior to the event. The pre-workshop materials will be provided to you in an email following your registration.
A catered lunch will be provided.
Registration for this workshop closes on Thursday, May 2.
| Date: |
Friday, May 10 |
| Time: |
10:00am – 2:30pm (registration begins at 9:30am) |
| Location: |
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 94 | 262 Kinchant St, Quesnel [map] |
| Capacity |
30 attendees |
| Fees: |
Free — this workshop has been sponsored by Coralee Oakes, MLA Cariboo North |
Register Now
Communication & Swallow Workshop, Prince George
This full-day interactive and participatory workshop, led by Registered Speech Language Pathologist, Sherri Zelazny, will focus on the communication and swallowing challenges faced by people with Parkinson's (PwP). It is open to those already experiencing communication and swallowing challenges, as well as those who wish to be proactive in their treatment.
Our communication and swallow workshops utilize methods developed as part of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment® (LSVT®) which have been clinically proven to enhance communication for individuals with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions.
If you have Parkinson's but are not currently experiencing communication or swallowing difficulties, participating in the workshop may help reduce stress, frustration and complications related to communication down the road.
If you already experience issues with communication and swallowing, this workshop will provide you with effective evidence-based tools to address common problems of disordered articulation, diminished facial expression and impaired swallowing.
If you are a healthcare professional looking to learn more about communication and swallowing challenges for people with Parkinson's and methods to support your clients, this workshop will provide you with a general understanding.
Participants will be required to watch a pre-workshop webinar and complete a questionnaire prior to the event. The pre-workshop materials will be provided to you in an email following your registration.
A catered lunch will be provided.
Registration for this workshop closes on Wednesday, May 1.
| Date: |
Saturday, May 11 |
| Time: |
10:00am – 2:30pm (registration begins at 9:30am) |
| Location: |
Spruce Capital Senior's Recreation Centre | 3701 Rainbow Drive [map] |
| Capacity |
40 attendees |
| Fees: |
PSBC Member $25 | PSBC Member (Couple/Pair) $40
Non-Member $35 | Non-Member (Couple/Pair) $60
Parkinson Society endeavors to make attendance at events accessible to all who may benefit. The Society may be able to subsidize attendance fees for those who require financial assistance. Please contact us for more details. |
Register Now
Community Talk, Cranbrook: Medication Management
On May 13, join Parkinson Society BC for a community talk with Cheryl Daniels, Registered Nurse from the Kelowna Multiple Sclerosis and Movement Disorders Clinic.
Cheryl will be speaking about medication management for Parkinson's disease.
We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this talk, 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.
| Date: |
Monday, May 13 |
| Time: |
7:00pm – 8:00pm |
| Location: |
Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre
803 Cranbrook St N, Cranbrook [map] |
| Capacity: |
20 |
| Fees: |
Free |
Register Now
REGISTRATION
Regional Conference, Kelowna
Parkinson's disease is a unique and complex condition. To assist in expanding your knowledge of the disease, on June 22, Parkinson Society BC will host an afternoon of learning in Kelowna.
Our regional conferences are immersive and interactive opportunities for people affected by the disease to learn from leading experts while connecting with the Parkinson's community.
Topics covered at this conference will include:
- New and Advancing Therapies | Dr. Daryl Wile, Movement Disorder Specialist in Kelowna
- Sleep and Parkinson’s | Dr. Ron Cridland, MD with the Canadian College of Family Physicians and Fellow at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Living with Purpose & Resilience – “I Am Not My Disease” | Debra Coffey, Registered Professional Counsellor
| Date: |
Saturday, June 22 |
| Time: |
1:00pm – 4:15pm (Registration begins 12:30pm) |
| Location: |
Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre | 2170 Harvey Ave [map] |
| Capacity: |
100 |
| Fees: |
PSBC Member $15 | Members (Couple/Pair) $25**
PSBC Non-Member $25 | Non-members (Couple/Pair) $45** |
Register Now
Webinar: Debriefing the Caregiving Role
Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) is committed to honouring our slogan, "You are not alone. We are here to help," and that is why, in collaboration with the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre (PPRC), we are offering an online grief support group session to help those who have recently lost a loved one to Parkinson's disease.
We invite you to join us for a webinar led by Elaine Book, Social Worker at the PPRC, and Courtney Doherty, Clinical Counsellor at PSBC.
Registration for this webinar will close on Thursday, May 25
Space is limited. Register early to avoid disappointment.
| Date: |
Thursday, May 2 |
| Time: |
10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Location: |
Via webinar. Instructions on how to access the presentation will be sent out 24 hours before the webinar's start time. |
| Capacity: |
25 registrants
|
| Fees: |
Free |
Register Now
Ask the Expert Webinar: Balance & Falls
Postural instability and falls are very common in people with Parkinson's disease, and greatly impact quality of life. Unfortunately, current treatments for Parkinson's disease are unable to alleviate postural instability; however, while research is currently being done on this topic, the mechanisms underlying balance deficits and falls in Parkinson's disease are still not well understood.
On May 21, Eveline Pasman, PhD Candidate at the University of British Columbia in the School of Kinesiology, will join Parkinson Society BC for the first time to share an overview of our current knowledge about postural instability and falls in people with Parkinson's. This will include risk factors of falls in people with Parkinson's, the effect that Parkinson's disease and its treatments (Levodopa, Deep Brain Stimulation) have on balance, how fear and anxiety influence balance control in people with Parkinson's, and recent research on this topic.
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.
Registration for this webinar will close on Thursday, May 16
Space is limited. Register early to avoid disappointment.
| Date: |
Tuesday, May 21 |
| Time: |
10:00am – 11:00am |
| Location: |
Via webinar. Instructions on how to access the presentation will be sent out 24 hours before the webinar's start time. |
| Capacity: |
200 |
| Fees: |
Free |
Register Now