APDA Northwest is proud to present a series of free virtual workshops designed to give you practical tools and techniques to help you improve your quality of life with PD.
Next Session: SERIES #4
Beat the Freeze
Tuesdays 1:00pm – 1:45pm Pacific Time
August 6 – August 27
On Zoom
Description
Freezing of gait can cause people with Parkinson’s Disease to feel stuck in their tracks. During this workshop series, we will discuss the complexities of why freezing occurs. You will learn practical tools that physical therapists utilize to help manage freezing episodes.
Learning objectives
- Define freezing of gait and identify common situations that can trigger someone with Parkinson’s disease to freeze
- Learn how physical therapists use cueing strategies, cognitive training, and assistive devices to address freezing of gait
Week 1: Why do I Freeze?
We will discuss the research on why individuals with Parkinson’s disease experience freezing of gait. You will get a chance to practice weight shifting exercises that can help overcome freezing.
Week 2: Using Cueing Strategies
Visual and auditory cues can be utilized to optimize walking and manage freezing episodes. We will practice exercises with various cueing strategies and discuss emerging technology that provides sensory cueing.
Week 3: Training Cognition
Freezing of gait can be triggered by performing multiple tasks at once. For example, walking while looking at your cell phone. You will have the opportunity to practice training with cognitive challenges and will learn how to incorporate cognitive training into your exercise routine at home.
Week 4: Real World Application
We will combine the strategies learned in weeks 1-3, and further apply these techniques to real world scenarios. We will also discuss home safety modifications to reduce freezing.
Presenters
Nate Coomer, PT, DPT, NCS
Nate is the owner and founder of The Parkinson’s Fitness Project and Daily Dose PD. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has been working with neurologic diagnoses as a physical therapist since graduating from Northwestern University in 2006. He received his certification as a Neurologic Specialist in 2010 by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is an active member of the Parkinson’s community, and he has certifications in LSVT BIG and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!).
Jennie Allex, PT, DPT, NCS
Jennie is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who sees patients at the Parkinson’s Fitness Project. She has been working with individuals with neurologic conditions since graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2006. She has worked in a variety of physical therapy settings across the country including: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. She received her certification as a Neurologic Specialist in 2015 by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and has a certification through Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!).
Nate & Jennie see patients at the Parkinson’s Fitness Project clinic located both in Seattle. WA and Bellevue, WA.
The Daily Dose is an online fitness & cognitive training program designed specifically for people with PD.
Previous Classes
SERIES #1
4 Weeks to PD-PRO: Optimizing Your Diet with Parkinson’s Disease
Description:
In this four-week course, you will learn about the PD-PRO diet and its connection improved quality of life with Parkinson’s disease, how to manage common Parkinson’s symptoms, transitioning to a plant-based diet, and the role of diet in reducing inflammation and supporting brain health. Acquire the knowledge and tools to integrate brain-protective foods into your daily meals, all while optimizing nutrition and flavor.
Facilitated by Kelly Morrow, MS, RDN, FAND
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Seattle Integrative Medicine
Held in Jan-Feb 2024
SERIES #2
Hand On Helpful Caregiving
Description
Throughout these workshops you will learn how to help the one you care for help themselves, using a variety of techniques including adaptive tools, simple modifications to the environment, and adjusting positioning / using proper ergonomics. You will come away with the tools needed to put these techniques into action and the understanding of how big changes can result from even little adjustments. This will allow you and those you care for to work as a team throughout the day.
Facilitated By Heidi Huynh, OTR, CTRS
Occupational Therapist
Ascend Therapy Services
Held in March of 2024
SERIES #3
Finessing Fine Motor Skills
Description
We use our hands and our fine motor skills throughout many tasks on a daily basis. During this workshop series you will not only learn about tools and techniques to maximize your fine motor skills at home, but also participate in exercises and activities as a group together. Work alongside each other as we strengthen, stretch, and coordinate these precise muscles to maximize independence and accuracy throughout daily activity.Facilitated By Heidi Huynh, OTR, CTRS
Occupational Therapist
Ascend Therapy Services
Held in May of 2024