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

Book resources

Hello all,
I was just recently at the NPF Allied Team Training for Parkinson (ATTP) meeting in Denver and in talking with other social workers, I shared some good book titles and thought I should share them with everyone. Some of you may know of these, but I thought I would still share. 

Hard Choices for Loving People by Hank Dunn and available at www.hardchoices.com

PD: Mind, Mood and Memory is available through NPF

Psychiatric Issues in PD by Matthew Menza and Laura Marsh

Health Connect: a practical guide to community outreach is available at www.medtronic.com/community

Patient Education for People with PD and their carers by Marcia Smith Pasqualini and Gwenda Simons.

Please feel free to share any gems that you may have on your bookshelf!!

Best,
Elaine

Allied Team Training Program, NPF

Just wanted to send a note alerting all social workers that the  next Allied Team Training Program with NPF is planned for March 6-9 in Denver. This is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in PD and to connect with other social workers, teams, and centres to learn and share ideas about working with people/families with Parkinson's. 

If you would like more information, please look at the NPF website under "professionals" or feel free to contact me.

Best
Elaine

NPF Centre Leadership Conference

Hi there
Just realized that the centre leadership conference in Miami is next week and I am wondering if any of you might be attending and if so, would you like to meet together at lunch as we have done in the past. With a shortened conference, networking time is limited and thought lunch might be a chance to connect...
Elaine

Travel tips

Well summer has finally arrived in Western Canada and our patients are talking alot about travel over the next few months. You may already be aware of a great travel tip sheet available on the NPF website called "Parkinson's Onboard: Traveling with PD".  At this time of year, I make a few copies and leave them in our waiting room for patients to pick up!

If anyone has any other similar resources, feel free to share.
Enjoy the summer
Elaine

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month

April can be an exciting time in centers and clinics around the world as Parkinson's Awareness Month is recognized and celebrated. NPF has a number of suggestions to raise awareness for individuals as well as for centers. I actually put together a handout with easy ideas and have left it in our waiting room for patients to pick up. Easy ideas like attending a PD fundraiser or planning a casual day at the office to raise funds and awareness, or ordering a t-shirt or wristband from www.pdf.org. Raising awareness activities can be a very empowering part of managing life with PD.

Would love to hear other ideas or activities that you have been involved in with Parkinson's Awareness Month!

Elaine