Ask the Expert Webinar: Communication and Swallow

Join Sherri Zelazny, MA RSLP CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)^® certified clinician, and Parkinson Society BC Board member, for an educational hour about communication and swallowing difficulties that are typical with Parkinson's disease. You will learn about how to identify signs and symptoms of communication and swallowing problems, and best practices for evaluation and treatment.

Sherri will also provide a brief introduction to voice therapy training that is part of the LSVT LOUD^® treatment, which includes methods that have been clinically proven to enhance communication for individuals with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions.

This session will close with a 10-15 minute question and answer period.

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers who may benefit from learning this information.

Registration for this webinar will close on Wednesday, June 3 

Register Now

Ask the Expert Webinar: Driving with Parkinson's

Driving is an important part of daily life for many people. A Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis may lead to a number of questions around driving, such as whether people with Parkinson's can continue to drive safely, what a driving evaluation or assessment may look like, and what options for transportation exist for someone who no longer feels safe driving.

On June 8, Kathryn McKall, registered Occupational Therapist, joins Parkinson Society BC to answer these questions, and more, about driving with PD.

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers.

Register today to reserve a spot for yourself, household or group! If you will be watching the webinar on the same computer or screen as another person or group, only one registration is required.

Registration for this webinar will close on Thursday, June 4 

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Ask the Expert Webinar: Finding the Balance between Mindfulness and Mind-Wandering

Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Jonathan Schooler, joins us to discuss techniques such as mindfulness practice, which foster the regulation of mind-wandering. When it occurs at inopportune times, the costs of mind-wandering can be substantial, and represent a central underlying factor in cognitive performance. However, there appears to be significant potential benefits of mind-wandering for planning and creativity.

This webinar explores the costs and benefits of mind-wandering, and considers possible ways of enhancing the curious form of mind-wandering ("mind-wondering") that may be especially useful in addressing the fear and tedium associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Jonathan Schooler has been an author in over 200 scientific publications, and his work is frequently featured in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and Boston Globe, among many others. His work on creativity was recently featured on the BBC television show Horizon, and his work on free will on Through the Worm Hole with Morgan Freeman.

Registration for this webinar will close on Tuesday, June 16

Register Now

Please note: Participation in the exercise programs listed below will be done at your own risk within your home. Please ensure you have the space needed to follow the exercises and that there are no obstacles or barriers in your way.

Parkinson Society BC (PSBC), and the instructors of the programs below, will not be held liable for accidents or incidents that may occur in your home. By participating in the exercise programs listed below, you are recognizing that risk of illness and/or injury may be inherent in any movement or exercise class and are participating with the express agreement of, and understanding that the program instructors, and Parkinson Society BC and its directors, officers, employees, partners, and agents are hereby released from any and all claims, costs, liabilities, expenses, or judgements associated with these exercise for Parkinson's programs.

Morning Pilates with Shelly Series

Join neuro physiotherapist and trained Pilates instructor, Shelly Yu, for four weeks of morning Pilates! Pilates is a great low-impact form of exercise, which can help improve mobility, posture, and balance, and reduce fall risk.

This series is offered at two levels. Please register for the level that best suits your physical ability. Level 1 is an adapted class focused on sitting and bed lying positions, while Level 2 features standing and floor lying exercises.

Level 1: Sitting / Lying Positions

Registration is now closed for Level 1. Please fill out our waitlist and a PSBC staff member will be in touch with you.

Join Waitlist

Level 2: Standing / Lying Positions

Registration is now closed for Level 2. Please fill out our waitlist and a PSBC staff member will be in touch with you.

Join Waitlist

Move with Shelly Series

Join Parkinson Society British Columbia's own Education and Support Services Coordinator, and neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, for a fun and energetic online Parkinson's exercise class, designed to challenge your strength, balance, and mobility, to improve your overall daily function and quality of life.

Two versions of this series will be offered over the course of five weeks. Please register for the level that best suits your physical ability.

Level 1: Seated Sessions

Level 2: Standing Sessions

Learn More & Register Now

Hand & Dexterity Exercise Series

Join physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, for an exercise series focused on hand and dexterity challenges associated with Parkinson's disease.

Exercises in this series will target upper extremity movement, hand dexterity, grip strength, hand-finger coordination, and overall arm function. As this is a hand and dexterity class, all exercises will be done in a seated position — ideally in a chair without armrests.

Equipment needed for this exercise series includes:

• A small tea or kitchen towel
• A small cushion/pillow

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar 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.

Register Now

Parkinson's Medication Webinar Series

Pharmacist, Amy Tran leads this 4-part webinar series, covering Parkinson's medication, including self-management, side effects, and drug interactions. Amy believes in empowering people with Parkinson's by providing education to support patients in managing their medication between healthcare appointments. Each webinar in this series will cover the complexities of each Parkinson's medication, to support you in better self-managing and self-advocating.

Please note that separate registration is required for each session.

Register Now

Modern Dance Series

Discover your body's innate ability to move with physiotherapist and dancer, Shelly Yu, and Continuum dancer, Denise Mullen. We invite you to join this 4-week modern dance series, exploring dance as a form of mindful movement.

Shelly and Denise will guide you through the somatic approach in dance, a technique of drawing attention to the body's physical sensations and responding through movement. This form of dance emphasizes the feeling behind bodily movement. This class will focus on strengthening the mind-body connection to create movements through thoughts, emotions, and memories.

Each week will emphasize a different approach to modern dance:

• Week 1: Mind-Body Connection
• Week 2: Building on the Small Dance
• Week 3: Dancing through Gravity and Sensation
• Week 4: Improvisation

No experience with dance is necessary. People with Parkinson's and carepartners are all welcome to join, regardless of physical ability.

Registration is now closed.

Join Waitlist

Dancing and Moving with Megan

Join Megan Walker-Straight, Dance for PD^® affiliated instructor, for an hour of movement with music. This 4-week series will use the fundamentals of dance to work on balance, flexibility, movement sequencing, and spatial awareness.

No dance experience necessary. Exercises in this session can be completed seated in a chair (preferably without armrests), or standing.

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers.

Register Now

SongShine with Joani Bye Series

Join us for six weeks of SongShine — music for your body and soul!

This program harnesses the power of the brain, breath, and emotion to reclaim voices. Joani Bye will engage participants in six uplifting sessions of music therapy-based signing intervention classes aimed at improving communication for those facing challenges due to 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.

Online registration for this webinar series will close on Friday, June 12.

Register Now

Online Improv Series

Join us for an online improv series for people with Parkinson's, hosted by Dan Dumsha! This program is offered at two levels: one for those who are new to improv, and the other for those who have tried improv before and are looking for a new challenge!

Sessions will include exercises to help foster skills for listening, spontaneity, teamwork, and being in the present moment. This series aims to help participants overcome the barriers of anxiety, fear, and overthinking by teaching skills to help let go of expectations to be able to live in the moment. Through improv games, participants will improve their communication abilities and their creativity and confidence while also being encouraged to discover the joys in collaborating with others.

Level 1

This 6-session series will run as a cohort, with a 75-minute online workshop running every Monday. No experience necessary.

Registration for Level 1 sessions has reached capacity and is now closed. If you would like to participate in this webinar, please join our waitlist and a staff member will be in touch with you.

Waitlist

Level 2

This 6-session series will run as a cohort, with a 90-minute online workshop running every Friday. Some prior experience with improv is required to participate. If you have never tried improv before, please join our Level 1 class instead.

Registration for Level 2 has reached capacity and is now closed. If you would like to participate in this webinar, please join our waitlist and a staff member will be in touch with you.

Waitlist

Learn More

Online Mindfulness Workshop Series

Mindfulness practice is widely used in both the medical and mental health fields for its proven effectiveness in helping people manage chronic health issues and stress, while improving both physical and mental wellbeing. This 8-part online workshop series, based on well-researched programs, will teach you about mindfulness, various ways to practice it, and how to make it a part of your daily life.

Sessions will be led by Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) counsellor, Dr. Judy Zhu. Judy is a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and registered clinical counsellor who uses mindfulness-based therapy to support people affected by Parkinson's disease. She has been practicing Zen mindfulness meditation for over 10 years, and has led many mindfulness groups.

This series will run as a cohort, with a 90-minute online workshop running every two weeks beginning Monday, March 23. Each session will focus on a new mindfulness practice topic, and include a discussion period, guided meditation practice, and a Q&A. To maximize benefit from the program, we ask registrants to commit to attending each webinar session, complete the assigned reading materials and audio-video resources before each session, and adopt a daily mindfulness practice on your own.

Topics will include:

• The brain and mind
• Befriending your body
• Loving-kindness and acceptance
• Managing difficult emotions and stress
• Dealing with Parkinson's symptoms
• Mindfulness in caring and communication

Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD)
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.

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

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. Please note this group will communicate via chat (typing).

A valid internet connection will be required to participate.

Weekly on Fridays
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Register Now

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.

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

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.

4^th Thursday of each month
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Register Now

EDUCATION EVENTS

• Planning for the Future - The Legal Side (webinar)
  Various Dates
  Hosted by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
  Registration & Information

• Tips on Using Authority for Health & Personal Care in Hospital and Other Settings (for those named in RA7ALL or RA7H+P) (webinar)
  Various Dates
  Hosted by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
  Registration & Information

• Nidus Registry Demo (webinar)
  Various Dates
  Hosted by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
  Registration & Information
  
  
• Parkinson's Balance & Mobility Classes
  Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays at 11:45am on Zoom
  Hosted by Surefeet
  To register, email info@surefeet.ca with the subject line "Parkinson BC May 2020"

• Newly Diagnosed: Living Your Best Life with Parkinson’s (webinar)
  Tuesday, June 9 at 10:00am PST
  Hosted by Parkinson's Foundation US
  Registration & Information

• Webinars on Various Topics
  Third Thursday of the month, 9:00am PST
  Hosted by Michael J. Fox Foundation
  Registration & Information

 EXERCISE & CREATIVITY RESOURCES

• RockSteady Boxing Home Exercises: Rock Steady Boxing, is a nonprofit that improves the quality of life for people with Parkinson's through a non-contact boxing based fitness. They are publishing workouts online.
• Dance for PD Live Classes and Archives: Dance for PD has an archive of video dance classes and are hosting live video dance classes through their website.
• Dancing for Life with Parkinson's: Stay active from the comfort of your own home with these weekly online dance classes! This program is led by Charlotte Fowlow and takes place every Thursday at 8:00am PST. To join, send a request to the Facebook group. This service is offered by Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador
• Music Therapy Classes: You can join a live stream music therapy class every Tuesday at 9:30am PST Friday at 5:30am PST on Facebook and led by Registered Musical Therapist, Renée White. These video classes are available after they are streamed on the Facebook Group. This service is offered by Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador.
• Mindfulness and Gentle Chair Yoga: Kate Landreth, Education & Learning Lead at Family Caregivers of BC, offers a mindfulness practice and seated yoga movement practice. Follow along from the comfort of your home. 
• SongShine: SongShine uses both vocal and dramatic art to exercise the power of the brain, breath, and emotion for strenghtening your voice. Keep your voice strong with SongShine's online video series.
• LSVT Global: LSVT Global is offering interactive exercise classes and free online resources! Click here for more information and to view all of the resources available!
• Art for Parkinson's: Start a new hobby this spring with Art for Parkinson's. This online program, hosted by Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, offers art classes to provide an opportunity for creative expression. A new class is added everyday from April 12-24, at 1:30pm-2pm PST
• Yoga for Parkinson's: Find your zen with Yoga for Parkinson's! Northwest Parkinson's Foundation is offering free online yoga classes aimed to build strength, flexibility, and balance. Join in every Wednesday at 1:30pm-2:30pm PST until May 20.
• PWRMoves!: PWRMoves! hosted by Parkinson Wellness Recovery, is an online exercise program designed for those living with Parkinson's and focuses on foundational skills to help manage the symptoms of the disease. Classes run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00pm-1:45pm PST.
• Mindful Hand Drumming @ Home: Pain BC is hosting a new live-stream series for people experiencing pain during COVID-19. Partnered with Rhythm Bliss, the sessions include 45-minute mindful and rhythmic hand drumming (no drum required). The next session occurs on Wednesday, April 22, at 1:30pm PST and is delivered through Zoom.
• Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador Exercise Group: Join Parkinson Society Newfoundland & Labrador with weekly online exercise classes every Thursday at 9:30am, starting April 30th! Classes are hosted on the Facebook group, please request to be added in the group before joining.
• Tango pour les Couples: (French) Tango Libre in collaboration with Parkinson Quebec are offering free Argentinian Tango classes for couples who have been touched by Parkinson's. Classes will run 9:00am - 10:00am PST. Course dates will be announced shortly.
• Fundamentals of Functional Movement: In this video series, physiotherapist Naomi Casiro (from NeuroFit BC) demonstrates exercises to help you keep up with your Parkinson's specific exercise routine. These workout videos are posted on Youtube.
• Parkinson's and Exercise Guide: This guide from Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario provides exercise ideas, and step-by-step instructions for activities designed to help with Parkinson's symptoms.
• VON Exercise Class Videos: Help maintain your exercise schedule with these videos from VON. This exercise series provides workouts for different skill levels.
• Fitness Fridays: Taught by Joellyn Fox, Doctor of Physical Therapy, these videos focus on fitness activities that are relevant to People with Parkinson's. The video series runs weekly from April 10th to June 12th. New videos are released on Fridays. 
• Parkinson's Exercise Essentials Video: The Parkinson's Exercise Essentials video, created by the David Phinney Foundation, demostrates a variety of workouts designed for People with Parkinson's. 
  
• IMPACT Parkinson's is offering various ongoing programs, such as online exercise classes and group voice therapy. Visit their website to view their event listings, or contact info@impactparkinsons.com to inquire about programs suitable for you.