Here’s a list of guest speakers or programs at various Northern and Central California Parkinson’s support group meetings for February 2018. I’ve deleted a few items that probably aren’t of interest to the Brain Support Network community (because they are only applicable to those with PD or are focused on deep brain stimulation).
With my atypical parkinsonism (DLB, PSP, MSA, CBD) hat on, these meetings are especially appealing to me (because of the guest speakers or topics) BUT remember that these are Parkinson’s support group meetings:
- Santa Rosa, Saturday, 2/3: UCSF psychiatrist Steven Hall, MD is speaking on non-motor aspects of Parkinson’s. I am assuming he will address depression, other mood issues, and anxiety. Perhaps he’ll address hallucinations and delusions.
- Pacific Grove, Tuesday, 2/13: Movement disorder specialist Salima Brillman, MD is speaking on hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson’s. This is likely of interest to those in our Lewy body dementia group. Note that this talk is sponsored by the maker of a medication for hallucinations.
- Fremont, Monday, 2/26: Movement disorder specialist Salima Brillman, MD is speaking on hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson’s. This is likely of interest to those in our Lewy body dementia group. Note that this talk is sponsored by the maker of a medication for hallucinations.
As always, I recommend driving no more than 30 minutes to attend any of these meetings.
You can find meeting details (meeting location, group leader contact info, RSVP process, etc.) here.
Robin
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San Lorenzo (San Leandro)
Thursday, 2/1, 10-11:30am
Guest Speaker: Michael Galvan, Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL)
Topic: Assistive devices to help with PD
RSVP?: No.
San Jose/Willow Glen
Friday, 2/2, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Jason Stewart, director of advocacy, Americans for Cures Foundation
Topic: Proposition 71 – California’s landmark stem cell program
RSVP?: No.
Visalia
Friday, 2/2, 10:30am-noon
Program: Watch and discuss “Managing Parkinson’s – Straight Talk and Honest Hope,” Parkinson’s Heartland video
RSVP?: No.
Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 2/3, 1-3:15pm (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker: Steven Hall, MD, psychiatrist, UC San Francisco
Topic: Parkinson’s – more than motor symptoms
RSVP?: No.
Lodi
Monday, 2/5, 10am-noon
Program: Break into two groups – persons with Parkinson’s and caregivers
RSVP?: No.
San Andreas (Calaveras County)
Tuesday, 2/6, 10am-noon (speaker 10:30am-noon
Guest Speaker: Kendall Gervin, OT, occupational therapist
Topics: Adaptive equipment for independence and self-care; home safety; exercise to maintain balance
RSVP?: No.
Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 2/7, 1-2:30pm
Guest Speaker: Peter Lin, MD, movement disorder specialist, Valley Parkinson Clinic, Los Gatos
Topic: New developments in PD
RSVP?: No.
Millbrae/Magnolia
Thursday, 2/8, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker: Keith Harband, NewEnamel.com
Topic: Dealing with dry mouth
RSVP?: No.
Redding
Friday, 2/9, 1-3:30pm
Guest Speaker: Vibra Healthcare representative
Topics: Occupational therapy program; new changes coming to their Parkinson’s outpatient program
RSVP?: No.
Yuba City (Tri-Counties)
Monday, 2/12, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker: Peter Daley, III, chief, Yuba City Fire
Topics: YCFD services; disaster preparedness for the elderly and disabled
RSVP?: No.
Lakeport
Monday, 2/12, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker: Phil Myers, group leader
Topic: Research status
RSVP?: No.
Auburn Caregivers (those with PD can join this meeting)
Tuesday, 2/13, noon
Guest Speakers: Team of women from district attorney’s office
Topics: Aging safely – avoiding fraud, scams, and other stumbling blocks
RSVP?: No.
Note: Those with Parkinson’s are welcome at this particular meeting.
Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 2/13, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker: Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist, private practice, Menlo Park
Topic: Beyond motor symptoms in PD, including hallucinations and delusions
RSVP?: No.
Palo Alto Young Onset Parkinson’s
Tuesday, 2/13, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker #1: Aura Oslapas, StrivePD
Topic #1: StrivePD application
Guest Speaker #2: Ruth Gardner
Topic #2: Dental hygiene and PD
RSVP?: Yes, if this is your first time attending. Please RSVSP to Martha Gardner, group leader, at least one day in advance.
Note: Group returning to the old location at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
Menlo Park/Little House (New meeting location! No longer at Avenidas
in Palo Alto.)
Wednesday, 2/14, 2-3:30pm
Main Program: Please bring one tip and one gadget/equipment (if carry-able) that you recommend to people with Parkinson’s or caregivers of those with Parkinson’s
Guest Speaker: Amaris Martinez, Stanford Neurology, giving a brief overview of Stanford PD plasma study
RSVP?: No.
Merced
Thursday, 2/15, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Rekha Rishi-Khanna, SLP, speech therapist, Care One Home Health, Modesto
Topics: Communication and swallowing issues with PD
RSVP?: No.
Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 2/17, 9am-noon (speakers 10:45am-11:45am)
Guest Speakers: Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist, private practice, Menlo Park, and Stephanie Fiola, BSN, nurse educator, AbbVie
Topic: Duopa – treatment for advanced Parkinson’s
RSVP?: No.
Lincoln
Tuesday, 2/20, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Ginger McMurchie, Elder Care Management of Northern California, Granite Bay
RSVP?: No.
Modesto
Wednesday, 2/21, 1:30-3:30pm
Guest Speaker: Representative from Rock Steady Boxing, Modesto
RSVP?: No.
Mill Valley (Marin County)
Friday, 2/23, 1-3pm (speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker: Aura Oslapas, StrivePD
Topic: Voice and mobile app to make life easier with PD
RSVP?: No.
Fremont
Monday, 2/26, 7-9:30pm
Guest Speaker: Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist, private practice, Menlo Park
Topic: PD – more than motor symptoms
RSVP?: No.