January’s speaker, Dr. Mark W. Lusk, Professor Emeritus, Department of Social Work, UTEP, presented on the effects of depression and coping with Parkinson’s disease. He details psychological (negative thoughts, social isolation) and biological factors (brain changes) as well as environmental factor stress, medication side effects) that cause depression in PD patients, and how to cope with it.
Dr. Lusk specializes in medical/hospital social work and has experience with clients with Parkinson’s.
Several of the Parkinson’s Support Group members have asked for a copy of Dr. Miran’s slides. See below:
July’s guest speaker, Paul Ford, NREMTP, the Mobile Integrated Heathcare Coordinator for the Las Cruces Fire Department sent us a copy of his presentation, Mobile Integrated Healthcare: Furthering the Mission.
As noted before, Paul specializes in working with at-risk populations who call 911 frequently due to unmet health and wellness needs and are affected by the unique conditions surrounding the elderly, mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse. The presentaion details how te mission of the Fire Department has changed to include the huge growth in these types of calls.
Guest speaker Paul Ford, NREMTP, the Mobile Integrated Heathcare Coordinator for the Las Cruces Fire Department, discussed the unique program he oversees. The MIH program helps people access and navigate the health care system through home and community visits, needs assesment, transportation, resolving home/ environmental safefty issues and other needs related to the social determinants of health.
Paul specializes in working with at-risk populations who call 911 frequently due to unmet health and wellness needs and are affected by the unique conditions surrounding the elderly, mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse.
An excellent preentation Tuesday from Davena Norris, Pharmacist at Memorial Medical Center, She discussed the medications prescribed for Parkinson’s and contraindications. Of special interest to me was the article she referenced, High-intensity Exercise Can Reverse Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease. Previously, two well-designed clinical trials have shown that engaging in high-intensity exercise—in which participants reach around 80% to 85% of their age-appropriate maximum heart rate—three times a week for six months is correlated with less severe motor symptoms. The Yale study saw an increase in the DAT and neuromelanin signals after a six-month high-intensity exercise program.
Medication Considerations in Parkinson’s by Davena Norris, Pharm.D., PhC, BCPS, DipACLM
June 18, 2024: https://www.pdsgsnm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Medication-Considerations-in-Parkinsons-Norris-6-2024.pdf
The meeting was well-attended. Dr. Ospina, a movement disorders specialist, gave us a really interesting talk about Parkinson’s Disease, and how Rytary, an extended release carbidopa and levodopa medication, works to reduce off-periods.
Maria Cristina Ospina, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of Arizona-University Physicians Healthcare, 1501 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85724-5035 Tel: 520-626-6349
Below is Dr. Ospina’s bio.
The Arbors at Vista Living invited us for a picnic to celebrate Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The picnic was a great success; lots of good food and friendship.
Quilt raffle ticket winners:
A couple of pics of Judy Harmon playing her Crystal Singing Bowls and drumming.
Our fall symposium Learn. Live. Connect. was a great sucess! Thanks to the PDM Alliance for bringing experts in the movement disorder world.
The PDM Alliance has more programs and events available for us online.
Guest speaker, Alan D. Gluth of Gluth Law, specializing in Estate Planning, Probate, Trust and Guardianship Law, spoke to us about the importance of estate planning. In particular, he stressed the importance of having a will even if you do not have a substatial estate, an Advanced Health Care Directive and a Durable power of Attorney.
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