Parkinson's Support Group

Parkinson’s Support Group

First Thursday of every month, 2-3 p.m. MT

(after Parkinson’s exercise group, 1-2 p.m.)

Now virtual as well as at the Lander Senior Citizen Center  (205 South 10th St. Lander)

Anyone can attend if you find the topic relevant

Thursday, April 1: Teepa Snow on Practical Tips for Better Living with Parkinson’s Disease. With humor and demonstrations, Teepa provides specific suggestions for how care partners and PD people can work together as a team. We will watch this DVD together and then talk amongst ourselves. “I wish I would have had this advice years ago. It has great practical tips for improving daily life as Parkinson’s progresses,” says Marjane Ambler. 

• After the diagnosis: What you choose to do matters!

• What helps, what hurts, and what gets in the way?

• Using rhythm and movement to overcome freezing and rigidity

• Using visual and physical cues to guide and model care routines

Teepa has hands-on caregiving experiences and has worked as part of Duke University Medical Center’s Neuro-Rehabilitation Team and as an Occupational Therapy director in a head injury facility. 

UPCOMING TOPICS: 

• May 6: Chris Smithwick, a speech language pathologist, will address two topics: 1) group exercises to reduce anxiety and other emotional issues and 2) speech and swallowing problems associated with Parkinson’s Disease. 

• June 3: Portuguese physiotherapist Josefa Domingos and speech language pathologist John M. Dean will present a unique exercise approach that combines movement, voice and cognition.

Everyone is welcome. If you cannot attend, there is a library of Parkinson’s DVDs and pamphlets at the Senior Center, which can be taken or checked out. The meetings provide time for free discussion amongst participants. Suggestions of speakers and topics are welcome.  

To participate via Zoom or learn more about our support group, contact Marjane Ambler at (307) 332-3732. For questions about the Parkinson’s exercise group or COVID protocols, call the Lander Senior Center (307) 332-2746.