World Parkinson's Congress 2019 Update

Hello all This post is long overdue as a follow up to the WPC 2019 which was in Japan in June! Another incredible learning and networking experience. The WPC website has alot of archived material from the congress as well as ongoing blog pieces which are excellent. Check the site out to get excited about attending WPC 2022 in Barcelona! I did take pics of many posters on a variety of topics including dance, art, music, self management, mindfulness, caregiver support, CBT, new diagnosis programs as well as some new initiatives on intergenerational programs and medical student engagement programs. If anyone would like me to send the pictures of posters on any of these topics, let me know and I am happy to share. Happy Summer Elaine

Article on the Role of Social Work in PD care

Hi all I just wanted to share a recent publication in "Social Work in Health Care". The article is called " Clinical social work in the care of Parkinson's disease: role, functions, and opportunities in integrated health care" and here is the link https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2018.1544600 Also wondering if anyone is attending the WPC 2019 in Kyoto this June. There will be a social workers networking evening on Wednesday June 5. Kind regards Elaine

Having difficult conversations

Hi all I have been asked to do a talk on "having difficult conversations" including driving, safety, accepting help, respite, facility care, cognitive change implications etc. I am just doing my research and wondered if anyone has any resources that they have used in the past or your favorite tips to share. Thanks Elaine

WPC 2019 program ideas

Hi All It was nice to see many of you at NPF CLC meeting in Kansas City. I am involved with the program committee for WPC 2019 in Japan and I am inviting you to share any program topic ideas that you would like to see at the conference. It could be a speaker you saw at WPC 2016 that was amazing and should be repeated or something that was missed or something completely new. Send your ideas and I will take them forward to make WPC 2019 another great experience. Elaine

National Social Work Month

Hi all Well as we are tuned into this blog from different countries, it seems that March is Social Work Month or week somewhere in the world. Here is an opportunity to promote our role and contributions to the team and patient care. There are so many creative ways to do this. Host a lunch and learn on a topic of interest, create a fact sheet on what you do in your clinic, find an article and circulate with a message about SW week. Options are endless. I am planning to invite my team to lunch (BYOL of course) and I will provide desserts which is "stressed" spelled backwards! Write in and share any of your ideas to celebrate social workers! Elaine

Hello to all, This is long long overdue! Upon return from WPC 2016 in Portland, I came back excited and inspired and loaded down with new contacts and resources to share with colleagues and patients/families. Just to remind everyone that many of the sessions are available the WPC website so if you were unable to attend the conference or unable to attend a particular session, check out the website. The Social Work Networking meeting was a great success and we had the amazing good fortune of having Dr. Julio Angulo speak to us about Shame and PD. He indicated that he welcomes future inquiries and to share his website www.movingforwardwithpd.com Please feel free to share any highlights or pearls from the conference with all of us, Best Elaine

WPC 2016 Kick off!!!

Hello all It has been a long time since there has been activity on this blog and given that this week is the launch for WPC 2016 in Portland, I thought I would post to get the excitement going! Having attended this meeting in the past, I can first hand encourage you, your colleagues and patients to consider attending this one of a kind meeting that joins speakers, health professionals and patients/family in one place. Check out the website for more exciting details! Any questions...don't hesitate to ask! Elaine

World Parkinson Congress

Hello All Just a reminder of the social work networking meeting being held on Thursday, Oct 3/13 at 6:30pm in Room 511D. The information is not on the WPC website so I thought I would send out this notice. Spread the word and looking forward to connecting with everyone. Elaine

World Parkinson Congress- Social Work Networking Meeting

Hello All
This amazing meeting is less than a month away and the opportunities for learning and connecting with other allied health professionals abound.

We are creating an opportunity for social workers from around the world who are attending the Congress to get together for an informal networking event.  It will be time to meet each other (33 social workers are registered!), learn about programs/research/activities from other clinics, collaborate and inspire one another.

The networking event will be held on Thursday October 3/13 at 6:30. For room details, please check the WPC website in the coming weeks.

For planning purposes, please let us know if you are able to join us. Email either myself (elaine.book@vch.ca) or Kathryn Brosseau (kathryn.brosseau@albertahealthservices.ca) with your name, institution and country.

We look forward to meeting you in Montreal!

Elaine and Kathryn

New patient package

Hi everyone
We are the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre in Vancouver, Canada are starting to look at creating a package to give to new patients of the clinic. I am wondering if any of your centres have something similar and what kinds of materials do you include?
Any info is appreciated...
Thanks
Elaine