Category Archives: PSP

“How to Choose a Dementia Care Facility. Avoid My Mistakes.”

Date
Posted by

This is a very helpful article about choosing a dementia care facility.  The author is North Carolina-based Donna Plunkett St. Clair, whose husband was diagnosed with dementia in 2010 at age 59 and then with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) in 2015 at age 65.  Donna shares the mistakes she made in choosing the wrong care facility…twice.

Here are the ten lessons Donna learned:

1.  Start investigating potential facilities NOW.
2.  Learn how your loved one’s care will change as he/she declines.
3.  Learn how “problems behaviors” are defined and ask about examples of what might lead to a resident being forced to leave the facility.
4.  Know what you can afford.
5.  Assess if the facility is using innovative designs.
6.  Ask if the resident can safely go outside.
7.  Ask about safety.
8.  Inquire about staffing levels, activities, and supervision for holidays, evenings, and weekends.
9.  Ask if residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, and are offered second helpings and snacks.
10.  Check service levels and quality when the facility least expects you.

These lessons are detailed in the article here:

www.lewybodydementia.ca/dementia-care-facility-choice-avoid-mistakes/

How to Choose a Dementia Care Facility. Avoid My Mistakes.
By Donna Plunkett St. Clair
Posted to Lewy Body Dementia Canada
May 29, 2016

Robin

 

July 2017 Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings – Guest Speakers – NorCal + Central CA

Date
Posted by
July 2017 Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings – Guest Speakers – NorCal + Central CA

Here’s a list of guest speakers at many Northern California and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support group meetings for July 2017.

With my Brain Support Network 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 PD support group meetings:

* Lodi, Monday, 7/3: a neurologist is speaking on Parkinson’s and essential tremor. I know nothing about this neurologist but it seems to be a unique opportunity to hear a neurologist speak in Lodi.

* Soquel, Wednesday, 7/5: physical therapist addresses practical solutions to daily challenges

* Yuba City, Monday, 7/10: social worker talks about the importance of sleep for caregivers. Hopefully everyone in this area knows about the Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center. If not, please attend the talk just to learn about their services.

* Bakersfield, Tuesday, 7/11: fitness instructor demonstrating exercises and yoga

* Turlock, Wednesday, 7/12: social worker describes coping skills for dealing with Parkinson’s (for both those with a diagnosis and caregivers). Certainly many of these coping skills will be applicable to those in Brain Support Network.

* Palo Alto/Avenidas, Wednesday, 7/12: a palliative care social worker and hospice nurse will be addressing palliative care and hospice at home for those with neurological disorders (not just Parkinson’s). Many in the Brain Support Network group apply for palliative care. Come learn about what this is!

* Walnut Creek, Saturday, 7/15: movement disorder specialist Salima Brillman, MD, will be talking about the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s. She is very familiar with the disorders in our group.

* Sacramento/Arden Arcade, Thursday, 7/20: an excellent physical therapist addresses physical therapy for PD. She may be familiar with the disorders in our group.

Generally, I recommend driving no more than 30 minutes to attend any of these meetings. If you attend a meeting and learn anything, please share with me so that I can share with others!

Do you need to know the support group meeting location, day/time, contact info, and how to RSVP if required? Please refer to the Stanford Parkinson’s website for all Northern and Central California support groups:

parkinsons.stanford.edu/support_groups.html

As always, I’ve deleted the deep brain stimulation-related talks.

Robin
———————————

Lodi
Monday, 7/3, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Mohammad Kazmi, MD, neurologist, Lodi
Memorial Hospital, Lodi
Topic: Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor
RSVP?: No.

 

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 7/5, 1-2:30pm
Guest Speaker: Ruby Straehley, PT, physical therapist
Topic: Practical solutions to everyday challenges facing those with Parkinson’s
RSVP?: No.

 

Yuba City (Tri-Counties)
Monday, 7/10, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker: Dorene Fanning, LCSW, family consultant, Del Oro
Caregiver Resource Center
Topic: Insights into challenges and the importance of sleep for caregivers
RSVP?: No.

 

Bakersfield
Tuesday, 7/11, 2-4pm
Guest Speaker: Deb McCormack, Bakersfield Mind & Body Studio
Topic: Exercises and yoga for PD
RSVP?: Yes to group leaders Linda Feist, 661-304-9227, or Bill
Burgemaster, 661-343-2707

 

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 7/11, 3-4:30pm
Program: Discussion groups – people with Parkinson’s and care partners
RSVP?: No.

 

Davis – regular and caregivers groups together
Wednesday, 7/12, 12:45-2:15pm (special day/time for July)
Guest Speaker: Marg Bartosek
Topic: Experiential presentation of Feldenkrais awareness through movement
RSVP?: No.

 

Turlock
Wednesday, 7/12, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker: Nancy Neufled Silva, PhD, LCSW, counselor, Turlock
Topic: Coping skills in dealing with PD for patients and caregivers
RSVP?: No.

 

Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 7/12, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speakers: Libby Hagman, RN, clinical outreach coordinator, and Anthony Lupian, MSW, Transitions program coordinator, Mission Hospice and Home Care, San Mateo
Topic: Palliative care, hospice at home, and hospice house for Parkinson’s – recommended services and what’s new
RSVP?: No.

 

Sonoma/Vintage House
Thursday, 7/13, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Margot Schaal, certified Feldenkrais practitioner
Topic: Feldenkrais
RSVP?: No.

 

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 7/15, 9am-noon (speaker 10:45am-11:45am)
Guest Speaker: Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist, The
Parkinson’s Institute, Sunnyvale
Topic: Diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s
RSVP?: No.

 

Elk Grove
Wednesday, 7/19, 10-11:30am
Guest Speaker: Christy Adams, RN, MPH, trauma prevention coordinator,
UC Davis
Topic: A matter of balance
RSVP?: No.

 

Merced
Thursday, 7/20, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Lisa Clawson, LVN, HealthSouth Rehabilitation, Modesto
Topic: Rehab services for PD
RSVP?: No.

 

Sacramento/Arden Arcade
Thursday, 7/20, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Christine Shade, DPT, physical therapist, Kaiser Roseville
Topic: Physical therapy and outdoor exercises for PD
RSVP?: No.

 

Mill Valley (Marin County)
Friday, 7/28, 1-3pm (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker: James Nevin, Sr., attorney
Topic: Estate planning and end of life issues
RSVP?: No.

 

“Anti-Tau Drugs for PSP Move into Phase II”

Date
Posted by
“Anti-Tau Drugs for PSP Move into Phase II”

There’s not much new here from this report from last week’s Movement Disorder Society conference in Vancouver.  This report focuses on two anti-tau drugs being studied in PSP — one from AbbVie and one from Bristol-Myers Squibb.  The BMS drug was recently licensed to Biogen.  Both drugs proved safe in phase I studies, and both have moved into phase II trials.

Tau is the protein involved in PSP and CBD.  It’s one of two proteins involved in Alzheimer’s.

Here’s a link to the report:  (you have to register — no charge to do so — at Medpage Today to read the article)

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/mds/65883

Meeting Coverage > MDS
Anti-Tau Drugs for PSP Move into Phase II
But phase I study of one agent pulled from presentation
by Kristina Fiore, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today
June 08, 2017

June 2017 Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings – Guest Speakers – NorCal + Central CA

Date
Posted by
June 2017 Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings – Guest Speakers – NorCal + Central CA

Here’s a list of guest speakers at many Northern California and Central California PD support group meetings for June 2017.

With my Brain Support Network 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 PD support group meetings:

Santa Rosa, Sat 6/3:  Neurologist speaks about mood, cognitive, and sleep disorders in PD.  This might be applicable to those with DLB and MSA.

Roseville, Tues 6/6:  Learn from a pharmaceutical company rep about a new drug for hallucinations and delusions.  This is applicable to those with DLB.

Sonoma/Vintage House, Thurs 6/8:  Topic is balance and fall prevention.  Speaker unlikely to know about any of the atypical parkinsonism disorders specifically but she probably has some good suggestions.

Stockton, Thurs 6/8:  Medical marijuana is the topic

Gilroy, Mon 6/12:  Listening to and discussing Michael J. Fox Foundation podcasts on sleep disturbances and urinary problems in Parkinson’s.  This is applicable to those with DLB and MSA especially.

Pacific Grove (Monterey County), Tues 6/13:  Speech therapist talks about speech and swallowing changes in PD.  This is applicable to all the disorders in our group.

Palo Alto Young Onset Parkinson’s Group Tues 6/13:  Medical cannabis is the topic

Palo Alto/Avenidas, Wed 6/14:  Manager of Stanford’s Farewell to Falls program will be speaking on the topic of fall prevention.  This is applicable to everyone in our group, whether you can take advantage of Stanford’s program or not.

Sacramento/Arden Arcade, Thurs 6/15:  Movement disorder specialist Lin Zhang, MD, PhD will be addressing the non-motor symptoms of PD.  These symptoms are part of the disorders in our group.

Mill Valley, Fri 6/13:  Registered dietitian speaks about nutrition and PD.  Most of the information should be applicable to those in our group.

Fremont, Mon 6/26:  Movement disorder specialist Han Lee, MD will be the guest speaker.  Unfortunately we don’t know his topic.  But he is very familiar with all the disorders in our group.

Generally, I recommend driving no more than 30 minutes to attend any of these meetings.  If you attend a meeting and learn anything, please share with me so that I can share with others!

Do you need to know the support group meeting location, day/time, contact info, and how to RSVP if required?  Please refer to the Stanford
Parkinson’s website for all Northern and Central California support groups:

parkinsons.stanford.edu/support_groups.html

As always, I’ve deleted the deep brain stimulation-related talks.

Robin

**********************

Half Moon Bay
Thursday, 6/1, 3-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Cherry Tuck, PD fighter
Topic:  Her journey
RSVP?:  No.

San Jose/Willow Glen
Friday, 6/2, 10am-noon (program starts about 10:20am)
Program:  Break into two groups — those with PD and caregivers
RSVP?:  No.

Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 6/3, 1-3:15pm  (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Allan Bernstein, MD, neurologist, Santa Rosa
Topic:  Mood, cognitive, and sleep disorders in Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Lodi
Monday, 6/5, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Dianna Powell, San Joaquin County coordinator, Legal Services of Northern California
Topic:  HICAP and Medicare updates
RSVP?:  No.

Roseville
Tuesday, 6/6, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Saul Avila, Acadia Pharmaceuticals
Topic:  Nuplazid – new drug for psychosis and schizophrenia associated with Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco/UCSF Young Onset Parkinson’s Group
Tuesday, 6/6, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Cameron Wisdom, Mission Bay Rock Steady Boxing Gym, San Francisco
RSVP?:  Yes, preferred to Monica Volz, [email protected]

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 6/7, 1-2:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Jenifer Armstrong, PharmD, pharmacist, Santa Cruz
Topic:  PD – Inside and out of the prescription bottle
RSVP?:  No.

Chico
Wednesday, 6/7, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Attorney, Corporon Law Offices
Topic:  Long-term care planning (trusts, wills, and other legal documents)
RSVP?:  No.

Sonoma/Vintage House
Thursday, 6/8, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Vanessa Kettler, balance instructor
Topic:  Balance and fall prevention
RSVP?:  No.

Stockton
Thursday, 6/8, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Christopher Trinchera
Topic:  Medical marijuana
RSVP?:  No.

St. Helena/Rianda House  (new group)
Thursday, 6/8, 3:30-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Barbara Brown, PT, physical therapist, St. Helena Hospital
Topic:  Importance of a PT’s expertise in a PD care plan
RSVP?:  No.

Fresno
Saturday, 6/10, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Beate Ritz, MD, PhD, UCLA
Topic:  PEG (Parkinson’s, Environment & Genes) study at UCLA
RSVP?:  No.

Yuba City (Tri-Counties)
Monday, 6/12, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker:  Carly Pacheco, deputy director, FREED Center for Independent Living, Grass Valley
Topic:  FREED Center’s services
RSVP?:  No.

Gilroy
Monday, 6/12, noon-1:30pm (new time)
Program:  Listening to and discussing Michael J. Fox Foundation podcasts on sleep disturbances and urinary problems in Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Bakersfield
Tuesday, 6/13, 2-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Lin Zhang, MD, PhD, movement disorder specialist, UC Davis, Sacramento
Topic:  PD and the management of off episodes with Apokyn
RSVP?:  Yes to group leaders Linda Feist, 661-304-9227, or Bill Burgemaster, 661-343-2707

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 6/13, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Katie Pietsch, SLP, speech therapist, CHOMP
Topic:  Think LOUD! – Speech and swallowing changes in PD
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto Young Onset Parkinson’s Group
Tuesday, 6/13, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Helen Garvy, PD advocate and care partner
Topic:  Medical cannabis for PD
RSVP?:  Preferred, if this is your first time.  RSVP at least 24 hours in advance to Martha Gardner, group leader, email [email protected].

Turlock
Wednesday, 6/14, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker:  Robert McCulla, DDS, dentist
Topic:  Parkinson’s and sleep
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 6/14, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Ellen Corman, manager, Farewell to Falls, Stanford Health Care
Topic:  Fall prevention in Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento/Arden Arcade
Thursday, 6/15, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Lin Zhang, MD, PhD, movement disorder specialist, UC
Davis, Sacramento
Topic:  PD – more than motor symptoms
RSVP?:  No.

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 6/17, 9am-noon  (speaker 10:45am-11:45am)
Guest Speaker:  Nijee Luthra, MD, PhD, movement disorders fellow, UCSF
Topic:  Advances in treatment of Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Lincoln
Tuesday, 6/20, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Millie Nunez, PD cycling instructor, Sun City Lincoln Hills
Topic:  Nutrition and forced exercise
RSVP?:  No.

Auburn
Tuesday, 6/20, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Stephanie Fiola, RN, AbbVie Pharmaceuticals
Topic:  Discovering Duopa – carbidopa/levodopa eternal suspension
RSVP?:  No.

Modesto
Wednesday, 6/21, 1:30-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Carlos Becerra, personal trainer, Alpha Fitness
RSVP?:  No.

Auburn (special bonus meeting at same location as regular meeting)
Thursday, 6/22, 6-7:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Robert Ghelfi, MD, Northern California Surgical Group, Redding
Topic:  Stem cell therapy for PD
RSVP?:  No.

Mill Valley (Marin County)
Friday, 6/23, 1-3pm  (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Sue Weiss, RD, dietitian, Kaiser San Rafael
Topic:  Nutrition and Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Fremont
Monday, 6/26, 7-9:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Han Lee, MD, movement disorder specialist, Kaiser San Leandro
RSVP?:  No.