This newsletter is published six times a year. Articles published in this newsletter are solely for your information and should not be relied on as medical advice. Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon 8880 SW Nimbus Ave Ste B Beaverton, OR 97008
PERSPECTIVES PROvider PROfile
pg 1
Communication Skills
pg 2
Support Group Updates
pg 3
Calendar of Events
pg 4
Sole Support
pg 5
Your Best Step Forward
pg 6
Group Meetings
pg 7
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THE PARKINSON’S PERSPECTIVE Newsletter Volume 38, Issue 4
July/Augustr 2018
Serving OR and S. WA
PROVIDER PROFILE Meet Sukhee So Chinn
The time is right to reintroduce our PROvider PROfile column. There are so many reasons that living here in the Pacific NW is grand; wonderful outdoors, temperate climate, good food, etc. For people living with PD, part of what makes this region special includes all the people working behind the scenes to support and improve quality of life and understanding of Parkinson’s disease. If you would like to nominate a special provider for a future profile, please send an email to: info@ parkinsonsresources.org.
Contact Us info@parkinsonsresources.org toll-free: (800) 426-6806
If you would like to be removed from this free newsletter subscription, please call 800.426.6806 or email info@parkinsonsresources.org
PROVIDER PROFILE (continued from page 1)
Meet Sukhee! Sukhee is a Physical Therapist who works at Kaiser Permanente in Portland and is also a volunteer for PRO programs and events.
college at Willamette University. After I graduated, I taught English in Korea for a year. It took me a while to figure out that I wanted to go into physical therapy. Once I decided, I moved to the east coast and attended Boston University for PT school. Oddly enough, I landed back in Portland for my last internship at Kaiser and have stayed there since I graduated which was 8 years ago! What does it mean to you volunteer with PRO? I feel very fortunate to be a PT and grateful for the people who have helped me get through PT school. My faith, coaches, mentors, my parents, friend’s parents, and friends. They shaped who I am today. I made a promise to myself that when I graduated PT, I wanted JULY/AUG 2018
Sukhee & PRO hikes from last fall to give back in any way I can with my degree. I didn’t know what that would look like 8 years ago when I called PRO and asked how I can be involved. Join us on one of Sukhee’s hikes this summer (up next on July 8th and August 8th). Registration at www.pro. MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
eventbrite.com. Live in Lane County? Contact our office there to connect with the local PD walking group! Are you interested in starting a hiking group in your community? Contact Melissa for guidelines and details.
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What experience led you to explore physical therapy as a career? I always wanted to go into health care; helping others has always been my thing. When I graduated from college, I was planning to attend nursing school. However, after I spent a year teaching in Korea, I thought about going into education/teaching. After going on a mission trip to Uzbekistan with my church in 2005, the idea of physical therapy got planted in my head. It was the perfect combination of helping others in the health field and education!
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What exactly does a PT do? Physical Therapy (PT) works a lot on function and mobility because without those two things, people tend to lose their independence. My goal for my patients is for them to regain or maintain their mobility. Movement is important! Ideally, a person with PD should get referred to PT in the early stages of diagnosis so that we can educate them on the importance of movement and exercise with PD. Often times, people with PD don’t get referred until they start having gait and balance issues, but we would LOVE to see them before that. PTs can also provide services at home for those who may have difficulty getting to the clinic or need a home safety evaluation.
SEE PAGE 8 FOR MORE GALA INFORMATION
Do you have a favorite tip for PwP or carepartners? Getting connected with other PwP through similar interests like hiking, dancing, exercise classes or happy hour is very useful for reducing isolation, expanding passions and finding opportunities to remain engaged. Same goes with carepartners. This is why PRO is so great for our community and I’m so glad to be a part of it. Also, music does wonders, whether to help with walking or just to dance around to or sing!
MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
Sukhee’s Sole Support Team Do you have a family connection to PD? I don’t, but I feel those I have met through the hikes and activities I lead in partnership with PRO have become like family to me over the years. When you aren’t working or volunteering, how do you spend your time? Now that I have a newborn, most of my free time goes to hanging out with our little one. But she’ll usually tag around when I enjoy the outdoors. I also enjoy training for triathlons, but these days, I’ve been enjoying leisure running, biking and swimming. You aren’t from Oregon originally, how did you land here? I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I came to Oregon to attend PAGE 1
COMMUNICATION SKILLS REVIEW
Area Group Meetings
by Ken Hollemon, Bend
Family, friends & care partners are welcome at all of our groups.
RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT SOCIAL SUPPORT AND SOCIAL INTERACTION ARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE PHYSICAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF EVERYONE. We humans are social beings. We thrive in a community, and our physical health and well-being are nourished by the social interaction and support the community provides. I believe this, which is why I attended the Communications Skills classes sponsored by Parkinson’s Resources. “Oh, sure” I thought, “I have no problems communicating, but maybe I’ll learn something.” What happened is that I learned to listen—to myself. When I truly listened, I realized that my communication skills needed tuned up. I was having to repeat myself more frequently during conversation. My voice was softer, my speech involved mumbling more frequently, and a spoken sentence sometimes turned into a croak because I didn’t have enough “air power” to finish a thought. When I thought about it, I had to be honest and acknowledge that I WAS having problems communicating, that the problems were getting worse, and that maybe I could do something about it. Research suggests that social support and social interaction are among the most important factors in the physical health and wellbeing of everyone. They are vital to human health, both mentally and physically. Oral communication is how we link to the physical and moral support that we humans require. While the effects of Parkinson’s disease reduces the strength and clarity of our voice, it is also weakening our link to our
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Ashland 3rd Wednesday, 3:00 pm Bill, 541.201.0954
support network. For example, we may chose to swallow a sentence rather than have to repeat it because our caregiver can’t understand it the first time it comes out of our mouths. We may withdraw from social interaction because of the difficulty expressing ourselves during casual conversations among friends. Parkinson’s disease diminishes our ability to remain in the community. Research suggests that withdrawal from interaction with our community, either due to hearing loss or loss of the inability to speak, is often the path to depression. So much for theory—what did I learn in the classes? All of us in the class were experiencing varying degrees of speech impairment. During the class sessions we learned about the mechanics of how our bodies generate sound. We learned, through practice, how to get enough air to speak effectively, how to increase voice volume, how to put changes in pitch in a voice that was becoming a monotone, and how to change a mumble into intelligible communication. We learned how to deal with those potentially embarrassing interruptions in our speech as we search for a word or struggle to form the word with our mouths. We had an outstanding guide and I think we all were speaking more effectively at the end of the class sessions. And I, for one, learned to think before I started talking. This skill has several benefits, not least of which is that I mentally break the sentence I am about to speak into phrases that permit me to take a breath and finish the thought with a firm, confident voice. I wish I had taken this course much earlier.
MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
Albany 1st Monday, 2:00 pm Lynn, 541.936.6154
Astoria 2nd Monday, 1:00 pm Darlene, 503.440.1970 Bend 3rd Wednesday, 2:00 pm David. 541.647.2593 Bethany / Hillsboro 2nd Wednesday, 1:00 pm Jeannette 503.320.1290 Chehalis, WA 2nd Thursday, 1:00 pm Ken, 360.520.4889 Coos Bay/North Bend 2nd Monday, 2:00 pm Julie, 541.290.7099 Corvallis 2nd Wednesday, 12:15 pm Betty, 541.760.1737
Ken & Josie
Eugene/Springfield 2nd Tuesday, 10:30 am Judie, 541.485.2304
The Communication Skills class that Ken mentions here is offered in several communities once or twice a year. It is intended to provide a safe and supportive environment to practice and sustain skills to maintain communication. Classes will be held this fall in Bend, Eugene and Portland.
Florence 4th Wednesday, 1:30 pm JoAnne, 541.633.3330
Registration will open for these programs by end of August at www.pro.eventbrite.com
Hermiston 1st Monday, 12:00 pm Carol, 541.720.4256 Charles, 541.720.4130
Forest Grove 1st Monday, 10:00 am Charles, 503.359.5820 Grants Pass 2nd Tuesday, 1:00 pm Jeff, 541.479.2578 Gresham 2nd Tuesday, 2:00 pm Kevin, 503.278.0516
Portland with Julia, October 1 – December 3
Hillsboro 4th Wednesday, 1:00pm Phyllis, 503.530.1537
Eugene with Drew, TBD
Klamath Falls 3rd Tuesday, 1:00 pm Ron, 541.591.0686
Bend with Mary, October 4 – November 8
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Longview, WA Area 3rd Wednesday, 1:45 pm PRO, 800.426.6806 Madras Area 1st Monday, 10:00 am Jan, 541.419.5957 McMinnville 1st Thursday, 1:00 pm Charles, 503.359.5820 Medford 3rd Saturday, 11:00 am Pete, 541.821.3295 Milwaukie 3rd Monday, 10:00 am Doug, 503.652.6519 Molalla 3rd Tuesday, 10am Debbie, 971.244.2427 Newberg 3rd Thursday, 10:00 am Louise, 971.344.4384 Newport / Toledo 2nd Tuesday, 3:00 pm Shirley, 541.336.3945 Oregon City 1st Tuesday, 10:00 am Greg, 541.912.0972 Redmond 1st Wednesday, 1:00 pm Ginny, 541.548.6310 Redmond (New) 4th Wednesday, 1:00pm Karen, 360.608.1965 Roseburg 2nd Monday, 1:30 pm Sandy, 541.430.1286 Salem / Mid-Willamette Valley 2nd Tuesday, 2:00 pm Dana, 503.588.1596 Sisters (NEW) 2nd Tuesday, 2:00pm Lenetta, 907.687.8101 St. Helens / Columbia Co. 1st Wednesday, 3:00PM Mary Jo, (503) 543-7090
Lake Oswego 1st Thursday, 9:00 am Charlene, 503.421.5058
The Dalles 1st Wednesday, 2:00 pm Chad, 541.340.0142
LaGrande 3rd Mondays, 4:30pm Wendy, 509-946-4217
Tillamook 2nd Thursday, 2:00 pm Michael & Joanne, 503.355.2573
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Tualatin 3rd Saturday, 9:30 am Trudy, 503.692.7988
Tigard Lewy Body Dementia 2nd Saturday, 1:00 pm Kathy, 971.222.7526
Tualatin (First Saturday) 1st Saturday, 9:15am Carol, 301.237.0476
Tigard - Male Caregivers 1st Friday, 10:30 am Chuck, 408.373.9875
Vancouver 3rd Thursday, 1:30pm Cathy, 503.863.4340
MSA/PSP Care Partner 1st Friday, 10:00 am PRO 800.426.6806
Vancouver, WA (Salmon Creek) 3rd Friday at 1:00 pm Cal, 360.892.1985
Tigard - Female Caregivers 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 3:00 pm Mary, 503.579.2792
Vancouver, WA (The Quarry) 2nd Wednesday, 10:00 am Heather, 360.944.6000
Vancouver 2nd Tuesday, 11:30 am Jan, 360.433.6400
Vancouver, WA (Touchmark) 1st Wednesday, 1:00 pm Jan, 360.433.6400
Vancouver (Boomerang) 1st Thursday, 1:30pm Cathy, 503.863.4340
Wallowa County 3rd Sunday, 2:00 pm Mike, 541.426.8604 Wilsonville 2nd Thursday, 11:00 am Cindy, 503.694.0303
Portland Groups East Portland, Russellville 3rd Wednesday, 12:00 pm Barbara, 503.752.9160 Inner NE Portland 2nd Saturday, 10:00 am Denny, 503.320.7713
Women Care Partners for the Newly Dx 1st Tuesday, 11:00am Joy, 503.997.3500
Young Onset Groups Eugene 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 pm Call PRO 541.345.2988 PDX Area Happy Hour Kathieshill@gmail.com
Alternative Groups
Laurelhurst “PD Avengers” 1st Friday, 10:00 am YuWen, 612.356.8164
Eugene 3rd Tuesdays, 1:30pm Cork 541-995-8060
SW Portland/Terwilligar 1st Mondays, 9:30 am. Christine, 503.808.7950
Portland – Evenings 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm Tasha, 503.788.2333
SW Portland/St. Vincent (NEW) 1st Tuesday, 10:00 am Theresa, 503.216.4903
“PD Plus” Diseases
Portland, Westhills (NEW) 4th Thursday, 11:30 am Michelle, 503.954.1640
MSA/PSP Support Group Portland 3rd Saturday, 10:30am Pat, 503.310.9085
Care-Partner Groups
Newly Diagnosed
Ashland (New) 1st Friday, 9:30am Ann, annrmeissner@gmail.com
Beaverton 4th Thursday, 1:30 pm PRO, 800.426.6806
Bend 2nd Wednesday, 1:30 pm Kay, 541.388.1706 Eugene/Springfield 4th Tuesday, 1:30 pm PRO, 541.345.2988
MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
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SUPPORT GROUP UPDATES
HELPING YOU PUT YOUR BEST STEP FORWARD by Melissa Greer, Education & Wellness Coordinator
At Parkinson’s’ Resources of Oregon we are as committed to the importance of exercise as part of your disease management tool kit as your health care providers are. The research is overwhelming and the benefits are measureable and lasting. While we continue our efforts to support the Parkinson’s community with PRO hosted exercise programs in several communities in Oregon and SW Washington, we have been steadfastly pursuing other ways to encourage your participation and movement. Last year PRO launched a new grant program for exercise instructors who need some financial assistance to get a PD specific exercise program up and running. With two funding cycles complete (and a third under review as we go to
press) we have already provided the seed funding for seven programs! We are excited to watch these programs grow and look forward to supporting additional efforts this year. One of the challenges we observed has been a shortage of PD specific training opportunities for fitness professionals interested in working with the Parkinson’s population. In response, we have sponsored several professional exercise trainings in the Portland area and provide ongoing support to the continuing education community. Most recently, we had the privilege of working with Delay the Disease co-founders, Jackie Russell and David Zid. This energetic duo shared their knowledge and expertise by conducting a two-day training at our Beaverton office for health professionals. David and Jackie were also dynamic keynote speakers at our annual conference in Bend.
Do you know an instructor looking to learn new skills? If they missed our Delay the Disease training, the Brian Grant Foundation is hosting an instructor training –coming up July 14th. We are happy to be able to support this effort with use of our Beaverton facility for the day. Contact the Grant Foundation at (503) 274-9382 for fees and registration. For those of you looking for a program that will fit your needs and abilities, please call our HELPLINE at 800.426.6806. Our staff and volunteers might now of a class in your community that might be just what you need to keep moving with PD! As we continue our journey with you to live your best life with Parkinson’s, look for feature exercises in future newsletters from PD professionals across our service area.
Contributed by Jane Miller
I HAVE A STORY TO TELL, I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TELL IT, AND SOME PEOPLE WILL BE BETTER OFF FROM HEARING IT. THEY WILL KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE. Thanks go out to all of our facilitators and staff who made this year’s series of PRO Facilitator Trainings a success! We were able to host trainings in Medford, Eugene, Bend and Beaverton. We had nearly 60 facilitators, new and seasoned, participate across the four trainings! This group photo was taken as we completed our last session of the year for the Portland area groups at our PRO office in Beaverton. This year’s training promoted problemsolving through small group “tabletalk” breakout discussions on various topics and challenges that facilitators experience throughout their service. Thank you to everyone for your continued dedicated leadership to your groups and the overwhelming interest of new facilitators to support existing groups as well as start new PD and Care Partner support groups. PRO’s mission is truly reflected and carried out by your collective efforts!
June 28th and will meet the 4th Thursday of each month at 11:30am . We welcome knowledgeable new facilitators, Michelle and Becky, who will be co-leading this new group.
The PRO network of groups are dynamic as new groups form, others find they have fulfilled their objectives, and yet others receive a newfound boost as new volunteers step forward to help and assist.
New Facilitator The Portland, West (Bethany/ Tanasbourne) group is lucky to have new facilitator, Bonnie, who has stepped up with enthusiasm to help co-lead the group.
Some of the recent changes and additions:
New Facilitator The Dalles support group is excited to be supported by new coleader, Irene, who travelled out for the PDX training. Thanks Irene.
New Group Starting on Tuesday, June 5th we welcome a new Portland that will meet at St. Vincent’s the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10:00am. The group will be lead by new and excited facilitators Theresa and Thomas. New Group Portland, Westhills (Touchmark) support group starts Thursday,
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MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
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Group Photo from Portland Training
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New Group Ashland has a new Care Partner PD support group the 1st Friday of the month at 9:30am. A big thanks and welcome to our new facilitator Ann for identifying a need and taking the initiative to start this group.
New Facilitator The PDX Alternative Treatment support group is grateful to welcome Tasha & Shawn, who will be taking over for the group’s beloved facilitator Carol as she moves out of the role. A big thanks to Carol for her commitment and dedication to the group.
MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
New Facilitator The Molalla support group is thrilled to have Netra on board to support the group as a co-leader.
Board of Directors Kristin Whitney President Barney Hyde Treasurer
Lucien Burke, M.D 1st Vice President
Connie Helleson Kelly Sweeney Secretary 2nd Vice President Directors at Large: Melody Boyce Richard Brown Greg Chaille George Gregores Hank Grootendorst Jerry Hulsman Paul Labby Ryland Moore Joseph Quinn, MD Richard Rosenbaum, MD Justin N. Smith Marilyn Veomett Peggy Wood
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SAVE THE DATE REGISTRATION AT PRO.EVENTBRITE.COM OR CALL 800.426.6806 First week(s) of July: PRO Movement Classes begin in Hillsboro, McMinnville, Beaverton, Vancouver, SE Portland, Ashland and Medford. The intensity and format of these classes vary by location. Call with questions or Register online at www.pro.eventbrite.com July 8th – Hike with Sukhee. Meet up at the Garden Home Recreation Center for a supported hike along the Fanno Creek trail system. Register online so that we know how many to expect. July 12th PD 101. Introduction and Discussion with Libby in Eugene. Are you concerned about yourself or a loved one? Have you recently been diagnosed? This program may help you understand what Parkinson’s is and is not and why it is difficult to diagnose. Register in advance for this free opportunity to understand PD better and find your way to become engaged with the Lane county PD community. July 19th - Webinar with Professor Donna Davis. Join us for this one hour online event as we invite Professor Davis share her research on Virtual Reality implications for people with Parkinson’s disease. In exploring social benefits that can be created in virtual environments, the opportunities seem promising for
reducing loneliness and social isolation that can accompany Parkinson’s disease. July 25th - Lift Program for Family Caregivers. During this hour and a half program held in Beaverton, two physical therapists will lead registered attendees through the proper and safe techniques to help you transfer your loved one who has mobility issues due to Parkinson’s disease. There will be 5 interactive stations 1) Sit to stand 2) Transfer in and out of bed 3) Transfer in the bathroom 4) Transfers in and out of the car 5) Lastly, how to get up off the floor. August 8th – Hike with Sukhee. Meet up at a specified trailhead in Forest Park for a supported hike in the forest. Register online so that we know how many to expect and you know where the trailhead is! August 21st All PRO offices are closed for a staff retreat. September 7th Long Term Care Professional Training. Parkinson’s care and management is not typically covered in the training curriculum for people who work in our region’s Assisted Living, Adult Foster Home and Memory care communities. PRO has responded to this need with a full day class for people
who work in this industry to help them as they seek to provide quality care for their residents who have Parkinson’s disease. Registration and details www. pro.eventbrite.com September 7th Parkinson’s Awareness Night with the Portland Thorns at Providence Park. Join PRO in our support of the Portland Thorns at their last home game of the regular season! $10 of every ticket purchased through PRO will be donated to PRO for local programs and services. Be sure to wear your Sole Support for Parkinson’s shirt to the game to help spread the word! Details Coming Soon! Dr. Richard Rosenbaum will be speaking in Tillamook and in Southern Oregon in September. Did you miss our last webinar with Dr. Joe Quinn from the Parkinson Center? He provided easy to act on information for extending your cognitive health. Fortunately, this webinar (and others) was recorded and is now available for you to view at your convenience. Find Dr. Quinn and other recent education offerings at www.youtube.com/ ParkinsonsResources
CELEBRATE HOPE GALA, THANK YOU!
Brenda Braxton, Emcee
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Heidi Banning, Jennifer and Crispin Gathuru
MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
Jim Paustian
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JULY/AUG 2018
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