Institute for Health Care Improvement

Just wanted to share an interesting educational opportunity that I recently discovered. The Institute for Health Care Improvement offers free live interactive audio broadcasts on a variety of different topics with expert guest speakers. Recently I participated in a broadcast on end of life preferences and it was really interesting. They also have past broadcasts archived so you can listen to programs that have already occurred. The website also lists upcoming programs. For those of us in Canada, it sometimes has a USA slant, but some of the programs may still be of interest.
Enjoy!
Elaine

Mindfulness

While mindfulness practice has been around for a long time, it is really gaining popularity. So I have been on the search for simple materials to introduce mindfulness to my patients.

I came across some good information on mindfulness and chronic illness on the Northwest Parkinsons Foundation website (nwpf.org) I found it under the wellness tab, then under persoanl healing, then personal healing tips and the specific article is called Silence the Mind with Mindfulness Therapy. If anyone else has a mindfulness resource, please share!

The start of December tends to be the start of a busy time for many. Perhaps we can all benefit from some mindfulness practice!

Best of the holiday season to all!
Elaine

Aware in Care project

Hi there
Just heard from NPF that the www.awareincare.org site should be live November 18th!
Check it out!
Elaine

2011 NPF Center Leadership Conference

The NPF Leadership conference was recently held in Chicago with great representation from Social Work! In addition to the speakers and poster session, the social workers had the opportunity to meet over lunch to share information about the social work role at their centres as well as an exchange of ideas.

NPF also launched the Aware in Care campaign (designed to help people with PD get the best care possible when hospitalized) and I would encourage all of you to look at the website (www.awareincare.org) to learn more about it.

Janis Miyasaki, neurologist at Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorders Center, presented on Palliative care and PD with some new and interesting ways of looking at advanced PD. Her power point may?? be available on the NPF website.

If anyone else who attended would like to share a highlight from the meeting, please do!

Elaine

PSP caregiver support

Hi everyone,
I am working with a caregiver of a patient with PSP and he is looking to connect with other caregivers of PSP. He (and I) have done some internet searching to find a chat room or online support but have not found anyting. Does anyone know of such on line support for caregivers of PSP patients?
Thanks
Elaine

DBS Support Group

Thanks, Elaine, for taking this on. It is certainly worthwhile. I have obtained some helpful information from this site.

Now, a question to all the social workers out there..........does anyone offer a support group for DBS patients? I have facilitated a DBS Support Group since January, 2007. I am curious to hear about other such groups, especially in Canada.

The fall is a time for new beginnings

Hello everyone,
Just a note to say I have agreed to challenge myself and try to follow in the footsteps of Jason's wonderful work on this blog. As I am only somewhat technilogically capable, I am spending a bit of time learning how to manage the blog and feed interesting articles etc.

I am also wondering if anyone is going to the NPF conference in Chicago at the end of October. If so, I would like to suggest the social workers together at lunch perhaps on Friday and have a chance to share information and ideas.

Send me a note at elaine.book@vch.ca if you are going to be there.

Until the next post,
Elaine

It has been a pleasure

It is with mixed emotions that I write this blog entry.  I have decided to take a new job in Palliative Care and will be leaving the Parkinson Center of Oregon on 05/05/11. I am very excited about this new opportunity but it is definitely difficult to leave the Parkinson Center of Oregon and the greater Parkinson community. It has been a pleasure and a privilege connecting with you all at national conventions and learning about all the great programs you offer families with Parkinson's disease. I do not know what my future availability will be to manage Neurology Social Worker, so if anyone would like to take over administrative duties for this blog, please send me a message through our google group.

It has been a pleasure.

Jason Malcom

Sign the Global Parkinson's Pledge

In support of Parkinson's Awareness Month, our clinic is encouraging patients to spread the word about the Global Parkinson's Pledge. We have created and displayed a poster briefly detailing what it is about and how to be involved. Every little bit helps! And we have fresh tulips in the waiting room!

April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month

Social work month is winding down (Happy Social Work Month to everyone!) and tomorrow we will be on to Parkinson's disease awareness month for April.  In honor of PD Awareness Month I thought it would be a good idea for everyone to post the activities and programs you are involved in to help raise awareness about PD.

In April Here at the Parkinson Center of Oregon I am co-facilitating an eight week group for spouses living with someone who has PD called the The Mindset of Healthy Caregiving.  This group has some elements of CBT and is based on the EduPark program out of Europe. This program focuses on skill building to live well with PD (either as the person with PD or as the caregiver).

On April 14th we are putting on our Caregiver Conference, a night set up just for family caregivers of PD.

And finally throughout the month of April and all of spring we will be promoting our PD walk called Paws for a Cause: A benefit for Parkinson's disease, which takes place in July.

It will be a busy month, that is for sure. I am frequently inspired when I learn about the programs other PD Social Workers are involved with at their centers or chapters. I am proud to work with such a great group of  Social Workers and we all do so much to help families throughout the year. Take a moment and let your colleagues know about the great programs you offer at your center or chapter.

Jason