VERO BEACH, FL – January 14, 2021 – The Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County will host two educational conferences in one day – its Day of Hope Caregiver Conference and Parkinson’s Conference – via webinar on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
The online event will begin at 9 AM with a brief welcome and overview of the day presented by Alzheimer & Parkinson Association Executive Director, Peggy Cunningham.
Day of Hope Conference presentations will begin at 10 AM and feature a one hour workshop led by Teepa Snow, one of the world’s leading advocates and educators for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Ms. Snow is an occupational therapist with 40+ years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience. She will speak twice during the day. Her first presentation at 10 AM is titled “The Effects Of Social Isolation On Those Living With Dementia, Including Tips On How to Cope.” Ms. Snow will also speak from 1 PM – 2 PM on the topic of “Effective Communication For The Early And Middle Stages Of Dementia.”
Parkinson’s Conference will begin at 12 Noon with a 30 minute “Intense Forced Exercise” treatment for Parkinson’s Disease featuring Dr. S. James Shafer, Medical Director at Vero Beach Neurology and Research Institute, along with Macy Curren, Director of Rock Steady Boxing.
From 1 PM – 2 PM, Alison Kraus will speak on “Increasing Activity And Involvement While At Home During The Pandemic.” Ms. Kraus is a board certified neurologic physical therapist at UF Health Rehab at Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases.
At 2 PM, Dr. Michael Okun, Chair, Department of Neurology at the Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, and author of several books on Parkinson’s treatments, will speak on “Advances In Parkinson’s Treatment And Programs At The University Of Florida.”
From 3 PM – 3:30 PM, Peggy Cunningham will wrap up the day with a brief rundown of the organization’s vital programs that serve people in Indian River County who are grappling with memory and/or movement disorders and their caregivers. She commented, “We are proud to present these two key educational conferences via webinar. At the core of our mission is our desire to inform and enlighten our community with programs that educate and enrich caregivers, health professionals and, overall, people who have memory and/or movement disorders. In this challenging year, we are happy to be able to bring these important learning opportunities to the community through the ease of online technology.”
There is no cost to participate in the webinar. Please contact the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association to register at cherylc@alzpark.org or 772-563-0505 for more information.
The Alzheimer & Parkinson Association improves the quality of life for individuals and families in Indian River County who are affected by memory and movement disorders, through support, education, and connection. It is a local nonprofit that relies solely on private donations and does not receive support from any national organizations.
