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IPMDC News

Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center (IPMDC)

April 14, 2025

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month!

This week, we're sharing an article from Brain and Life magazine entitled Former Representative Jennifer Wexton Breaks Barriers with AI-Generated Voice Amid PSP Battle. 

Jennifer shares her journey from suspecting something wasn't right, to diagnosis, to co-sponsoring the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act. She also explains how she uses AI to overcome the difficulties she has speaking, and how it enables her to continue to share her story and advocate for people living with similar challenges.

We were grateful that Jessica Shurer with CurePSP could speak to our Health Care Professionals conference on March 21 about the atypical parkinsonism syndromes, including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Jessica and CurePSP are also partnering with IPMDC to share information about PSP, MSA, and CBD, at our outreach events and Parkinson Friends groups.

* Underlined content represents links to web pages with additional information.

To help support our programs so we can continue to offer them at no cost to attendees, please click here.

IPMDC programs: Week beginning April 14

*New* Dance for PD® class starting in Loudoun

When: Mondays at 11:00 am beginning Monday, April 14

If you're interested in attending, please email sonia.gow@inova.org, or just come and join us! Walk-ins always welcome!

Community partners will visit us to share local resources and programs such as home care, government agency services, residential care, etc.

Suz Klyber with Live in Place will talk with us about home safety.

Let's Chat About Thinking

With Dr. Jenn Pauldurai

In this discussion, we will go into details about what our brain does while we sleep, why it is important to get good rest, and how brain diseases can interfere with successful sleeping.

You might also be interested in checking out the slide deck from last week's Healthy Eating program when Sabina discussed Nutrition and Sleep.

Check out our weekly online and in-person exercise classes to keep you moving, engaged, and supported by people on a similar journey to yours.

Yoga for Parkinson's pause in April

Please note that Maria is taking a break through April 2025 and classes will continue in May. Please contact Virginian Rehab and Wellness at 703-844-8599 with questions.

You'll find additional information about IPMDC programs at ipmdc.org/events and on individual pages throughout ipmdc.org.

All program times are Eastern Time (ET).

All of our programs are open to anyone living with Parkinson’s, their family
and friends, at no cost, with thanks to the generosity of our community.

Parkinson Friends

Social & Supportive Groups

Details for IPMDC's monthly Parkinson Friends and other groups that welcome our community can be found at ipmdc.org/supportive.

Upcoming Programs

This group will meet after the weekly Dance for PD® class at the Center for Ballet Arts which is right next door! We welcome Dance for PD® dancers, their partners, and our other friends in our Parkinson community.
**Feel free to brown-bag it, or grab a bite from the nearby Chef's Cafe deli.

Come have fun and learn all about improv and the power of "Yes And..."

The spontaneous and playful nature of improv stimulates creativity, memory recall, and verbal expression, helping to keep the brain engaged. Because improv focuses on the present moment rather than past experiences, it allows individuals to participate without fear of making mistakes, boosting confidence and reducing frustration.  No experience needed!

This new program is in partnership with Resonance Improv Alliance and Insight Sterling.

If you're interested in attending, please contact sonia.gow@inova.org.

Live a simpler, safer, less cluttered life.

with Maria Spetalnik

Injuries are most common in the kitchen. Beyond burns and cuts, the way the kitchen is organized can make a kitchen more or less safe. We will talk about ways to improve your kitchen to eliminate as many of these hazards as possible.

This group meets after the weekly Dance for PD® class with Lucy Bowen McCauley at BalletNova! We welcome Dance for PD® dancers, their partners, and all our friends in our Parkinson community.   **Feel free to BYO lunch.

Healthy Eating with Sabina Kelly

Please click here for the slide decks from Sabina's previous programs, and click here for some easy recipes.

And don't forget the Eat Well, Live Well Book Club!  Click here for details.

Parkinson's Journey

with Josefa Domingos and John Dean

Join Parkinson’s specialists Josefa Domingos PT, PhD., and John Dean MA CCC-SLP, for an engaging and practical discussion designed for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.

Are you considering Deep Brain Stimulation? Join Samantha Summerford and Andrea Useem with Abbott Brain Therapies as they answer your questions and share insights and information about the Abbott DBS experience.

Exercise Rx

with Josefa Domingos and John Dean

We believe the right exercise can make all the difference. Our program will tackle a wide range of Parkinson’s-specific issues, grounded in the latest scientific evidence and enhanced by practical clinical experience, to ensure a tailored and impactful approach to improving each challenge and overall quality of life.

Community Programs

Miscommunication or Missed Communication? The Challenges of Hearing Loss for Caregivers

Wednesday, April 16, 2025| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Virtual - on Zoom

In this virtual webinar presentation, hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, Bonnie O’Leary with the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, will present information about hearing loss as a disability, the types and causes of hearing loss, how to recognize it, its similarities to early-onset dementia, the major myths surrounding hearing aids and cochlear implants, and the emotional and psychological impact late-onset hearing loss can have on seniors. We will briefly examine helpful tools, such as apps and a personal amplifier. The presentation will end with tips and information on effective communication strategies.

Online registration: bit.ly/CAREWEB1

Caregiver Bootcamp

Saturday, April 19, 2025,  9:00 am to 12:00 noon
At: Insight - Fairfax
     3955 Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030

Join Insight for a free, Saturday morning training event covering many essential caregiving topics!

9:00 am - 10:00 am   Questions for the Neurologist
Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD, Inova Neurology
It’s important to gather as much information from your doctor as you can. Asking the right questions can help you navigate your appointments and this journey.

10:00 am - 11:00 am   What is an Aging Life Care Manager?
Lisa Bagby, OTD, OTR/L, MHA, Independent You, Senior Services
We will learn about the role of an Aging Life Care Manager and how they support older adults and their families in navigating the complexities of aging.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm   Creating a Dementia Friendly Home
Jacqueline S. Green OTR/L, Bal Therapy, LLC
We will explore how making simple changes to your home can help a person with dementia maintain independence, stay safe, and continue enjoying their routines and activities.

*** Respite care available*** Please contact Melissa at: melissa.long@insightmcc.org by April 12, 2025 to request respite care for this event.

Please click here for more details and to register.

Post conference follow-up

Please click here to visit our virtual exhibit hall and learn more about our sponsors and exhibitors. There's information about them in your directory, too.
Here's a link to the online version of the directory simplebooklet.com/2025ipmdcdirectory

Your Donations Support IPMDC Programs

We now offer over 100 educational wellness and supportive programs each month, both online and in-person, for patients, families, friends and professionals.

Your generosity makes it possible to grow our programs for all of you in our Parkinson community - presented by local and international Parkinson experts at no cost to attendees.

Please visit ipmdc.org/donate to make a donation, and
we thank you for your generosity and support!

Questions about our programs and resources?

Please email Sonia at Sonia.Gow@inova.org.

Cheers,
Sonia Gow
Program and Community Care Manager
Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center
sonia.gow@inova.org    |      703.375.9987    |     ipmdc.org    

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IPMDC Program Partners are the best!

Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center is proud to be an Official World Parkinson Coalition Organizational Partner

To schedule an appointment, please call 571.472.4200 .

To meet our team, please click here.

To find the nearest location near you, please click here.

For more information about our center, please check out inova.org/move

Advancing the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s
through education, wellness, and community.