12
Enhancing Lives, Connecting Communities Colorado Gives Day 24 Hours to Give Where You Live Continued on page 2 3 Colorado Support Groups 10 Parkinson Voice Fall 2016 Volume 8, Issue 3 Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 6th as a reminder to support our community through Colorado’s Annual Day of Online Giving - Colorado Gives Day! It’s more than just a day. It’s a movement that inspires and unites thousands of donors to support their favorite causes online through www.ColoradoGives.org. The value of your donation will be increased by the one million dollar incentive fund, provided by the Colorado Gives Day partners: Community First Foundation and First Bank. With your support you can join us in celebrating our 35th Anniversary by helping reach our goal of raising $35,000 in just 24 hours! Worried you’ll forget? Preschedule your gift today! All charges will be processed on December 6th to “give where you live!” 11 5 Exercise Classes Take 5 for You! 2 Berries, Green Tea, Red Wine for Parkinson’s Make Parkinson’s Work for You I hope you and yours are enjoying a lovely fall season. For those of us living along the Front Range of Colorado, we have been treated to spring-like temperatures and fabulous fall vistas. It’s important to appreciate the moment and to savor the natural gifts of the season. In so doing, perhaps we’ll also be reminded that regardless of the season, a break in the action is beneficial. In fact, a ritual of routine respite in the midst of our busyness is not only advisable but ultimately necessary if we are to be well. Consequently, I invite you to Take 5 - find a cozy spot, grab a cup of coffee or hot tea, and relax. A wee rest is good for the body and the soul. The timing couldn’t be better. The past year has proven to be incredibly challenging for most of the people I know or for those I have met along the way. I listened to countless stories of care partners confronted by daunting situations and heart- breaking losses. Consequently, I have a heightened awareness of the importance of self care. Self care is not optional. Rather, self care is essential if we are to care for others. In order to care well, we must be well. Self care. I can already feel your skepticism. I know the doubts, the resistance, and perhaps even the anger that my assertions may trigger. Self care sounds fabulous, but who has the time? When well-intentioned people advise you to take a nap, go for a walk, see a movie or have dinner with a friend, do you silently seethe? Sure, those suggestions sound enticing. However, there are countless other tasks that require your time and attention. Self care - just one more thing to add to your endless list of things to do, right? I learned a long time ago that the typical list of “10 Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress” is not well-received by most care partners. When knee-deep in the caregiving journey, we don’t need someone telling us that more sleep, more exercise, better nutrition, and interaction with friends is needed. We already know that! What we need are practical ways to balance the care of others with self care. Such a balancing act requires a different perception and understanding of self care. What if we transformed our perception of self care from that of an infrequent activity that we should do into a life-giving ritual that we longed to do every day? Instead of viewing self care as something onerous, imposing Take 5 for You! By Jane W. Barton, MTS, MASM, CSA

Fall 2016 Parkinson Voice · Parkinson . Voice. Fall 2016. Volume 8, Issue 3. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, ... approach to self care from a woman who cared for three family members

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Enhancing Lives, Connecting Communities

Colorado Gives Day24 Hours to Give Where You Live

Continued on page 2

3 Colorado Support Groups

10

Parkinson VoiceFall 2016Volume 8, Issue 3

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 6th as a reminder to support our community through Colorado’s Annual Day of Online Giving - Colorado Gives Day!

It’s more than just a day. It’s a movement that inspires and unites thousands of donors to support their favorite causes online through www.ColoradoGives.org.

The value of your donation will be increased by the one million dollar incentive fund, provided by the Colorado Gives Day partners: Community First Foundation and First Bank.

With your support you can join us in celebrating our 35th Anniversary by helping reach our goal of raising $35,000 in just 24 hours!

Worried you’ll forget? Preschedule your gift today! All charges will be processed on December 6th to “give where you live!”

115 Exercise Classes

Take 5 for You!2 Berries, Green Tea, Red

Wine for Parkinson’sMake Parkinson’s Work for You

I hope you and yours are enjoying a lovely fall season. For those of us living along the Front Range of Colorado, we have been treated to spring-like temperatures and fabulous fall vistas. It’s important to appreciate the moment and to savor the natural gifts of the season. In so doing, perhaps we’ll also be reminded that regardless of the season, a break in the action is beneficial. In fact, a ritual of routine respite in the midst of our busyness is not only advisable but ultimately necessary if we are to

be well. Consequently, I invite you to Take 5 - find a cozy spot, grab a cup of coffee or hot tea, and relax. A wee rest is good for the body and the soul.

The timing couldn’t be better. The past year has proven to be incredibly challenging for most of the people I know or for those I have met along the way. I listened to countless stories of care partners confronted by daunting situations and heart-breaking losses. Consequently, I have a heightened awareness of the importance of self care. Self care is not optional. Rather, self care is essential if we are to care for others. In order to care well, we must be well.

Self care. I can already feel your skepticism. I know the doubts, the resistance, and perhaps even the anger that my assertions may trigger. Self care sounds fabulous, but who has the time? When well-intentioned people advise you to take a nap, go for a walk, see a movie or have dinner with a friend, do you silently seethe?

Sure, those suggestions sound enticing. However, there are countless other tasks that require your time and attention. Self care - just one more thing to add to your endless list of things to do, right?

I learned a long time ago that the typical list of “10 Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress” is not well-received by most care partners. When knee-deep in the caregiving journey, we don’t need someone telling us that more sleep, more exercise, better nutrition, and interaction with friends is needed. We already know that! What we need are practical ways to balance the care of others with self care. Such a balancing act requires a different perception and understanding of self care.

What if we transformed our perception of self care from that of an infrequent activity that we should do into a life-giving ritual that we longed to do every day? Instead of viewing self care as something onerous, imposing

Take 5 for You!By Jane W. Barton, MTS, MASM, CSA

02

The season of giving is upon us - giving thanks, giving to others, giving of ourselves. An estimated 30 - 40% of charitable giving occurs in the last few weeks of the year. While some claim the tax incentives are the motivation for year-end giving, tax deductions are merely a reminder that there are more important reasons to give to non-profits. In fact, tax incentives are secondary to the generosity and knowing that our contributions impact the lives of others as well as validate our feelings of gratitude and joy in helping others. While the Parkinson Association of the Rockies is hoping to raise $75,000 in donations between now and year-end, the real gift donors are making is funding programs and services which significantly impact the lives of individuals living with Parkinson’s and their families. Every donation made to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies changes a life. What difference will your donation make?

The Season of Giving

Take 5 for You from page 1and intrusive, we recognize self care as an essential, inherent aspect of the caregiving experience. Sound intriguing? I hope so! This is the first step toward the integration of self care into the journey of caregiving.

The seamless integration of self care into the daily routine also requires a different understanding of self care. First, a sustainable plan of self care must be possible, attainable and convenient - meaning, it is doable. Secondly, an effective plan of self care is comprised of enjoyable activities. Good self care fills you up, soothes the soul and generates abundant joy! Sing. Dance. Pray. Meditate. Listen to music. Laugh. Paint. Snuggle with your pup. Do what you love. Enjoy the moment!

Generally speaking, the most common barrier to self care is time - or lack thereof. With limited time and unlimited “to dos,” most care partners practice self care only if time permits. And as we all know, that rarely happens! So, consider this idea - Take 5. Every day, Take 5 minutes for YOU. I learned this approach to self care from a woman who cared for three family members simultaneously while working full time. If she had time to Take 5, so do you!

In conclusion, I wish you and yours abundant blessings in the days to come. I hope you will accept the invitation to Take 5. Once convinced of the benefits of self care, perhaps you’ll throw caution to the wind and expand your plan to 10 minutes…and then 15 minutes! Take time to enjoy the moment. Take good care of YOU.

Whether large or small, EVERY donation directly helps people living with Parkinson’s have a better day. During this season of giving make a difference by donating to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies at www.ParkinsonRockies.org; participating in Colorado Gives Day or consider giving tomorrow through naming the Parkinson Association of the Rockies as a beneficiary in your will. It is never too late to give and every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity.

$10connects 1 individual to resources, p

rogram

s and

even

ts

$25gives the power of knowledge to take control of

Parkinson’s with a lasting gift for the lending library

$50creates a community through support groupsfor people to come together and share ideas

$100funds an in-home visit where a lifeline is discovered

to reduce fears and map out new directions

subsidizes cost of 1 non-contact boxing class

to empower 15 Parkinson’s boxers

$200provides a one-hour class, a powerful tool,

to learn how to thrive with Parkinson’s $500purchases a U-Step Walker for th

e free e

quipm

ent

loan program, providing the precious gift

of mob

ility

$1000

ensures conferences will have keynote speakers which

inspire living vibrant and healthy lives

$5000connects expert speakers in the fi e

ld of Pa

rkins

on’s

to rural communities throughout Color

ado

$150

via the ParkinsonVoice and enews throu

ghou

t the

year

creates a community through support groupsfor people to come together and share ideas

purchases a U-Step Walker for th

e free e

quipm

ent

loan program, providing the precious gift

of mob

ility

ALAMOSA 3rd Wednesday • 4:00pmThe Bridge3407 Carroll St.

ARVADA3rd Thursday • 1:00pmCommunity Recreation Center of Apex6842 Wadsworth Blvd.

#NeverGiveUp Parkinson’s/Dystonia1st Monday • 7:00pmCandelas Clubhouse9371 McIntyre St.

AURORA2nd Tuesday • 1:00pmLife Care Center of Aurora 14101 E. Evans Ave.

BOULDER4th Tuesday • 10:00amFrasier Meadows Retirement Community350 Ponca Pl.

BRUSHQuarterly MeetingsContact Parkinson AssociationEben Ezer Lutheran Care Center122 Hospital Rd.

BROOMFIELD1st Tuesday • 10:30amBroomfield Community Center280 Spader Way

BUENA VISTA1st Saturday (ODD months) • 10:00am127 Hill St.

CEDAREDGE1st Wednesday • 9:30amCedaredge Assembly of God1596 SW 9th St.

CENTENNIALYoung Onset GroupContact the Parkinson Association

2nd Thursday • 10:30amHolly Creek Fellowship Hall5500 E. Peakview Ave.

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE2nd Thursday • 6:30pmBethany Lutheran Church, Room 3154500 E. Hampden Ave.

Deep Brain Stimulation 2nd Friday • 1:00pmBethany Lutheran Church, Great Hall4500 E. Hampden Ave.

COLORADO SPRINGSProvided by Colorado Parkinson Foundation - Jeanne Taylor Parkinson’s Support Group. Visit www.co-parkinson.org for information.

2nd Saturday • 10:00amFirst Presbyterian Church 105 N. Weber St.

3rd Saturday • 10:00am Woodland Park Library, 3rd Fl., Board Rm. 218 E. Midland Ave.

DENVERRecently Diagnosed (1-3 years)3rd Tuesday • 11:30am Not meeting in DecemberChrist Episcopal Church, Barnes Hall2950 S. University Blvd.

3rd Thursday • 6:00pmDahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being3401 Eudora St.

4th Thursday • 10:00amBalfour at Riverfront Park1500 Little Raven St.

DURANGO3rd Thursday • 1:00pm First United Methodist Church2917 Aspen Dr.

EAGLE VALLEY4th Thursday • 5:00pmTrinity Church of Edwards90 Lariat Loop

ENGLEWOOD MSA/PSP/CBD Support Group2nd Friday • 10:00am Johnson Adult Day Center3444 S. Emerson St.

ESTES PARK3rd Tuesday • 2:00pm US Bank Building363 E. Elkhorn Ave.

EVERGREEN/CONIFER/MORRISON1st Friday • 1:00pm Contact Parkinson Association

FORT COLLINS1st Wednesday • 10:30amFt. Collins Senior Center1200 Raintree Dr.

GRAND JUNCTION1st Wednesday • 3:30pmFirst Christian Church1326 North 1st St.

GREELEY4th Thursday • 10:00amHope Pool & Physical Therapy Center2780 28th Ave.

HIGHLANDS RANCH4th Tuesday • 10:00amHighlands Ranch Library9292 Ridgeline Blvd.

3rd Friday • 10:00amWind Crest Community 3235 Mill Vista Rd.

LAFAYETTE4th Tuesday • 2:30pmExempla Good Samaritan Medical Center200 Exempla Cr. (check desk for room)

LAKEWOOD4th Wednesday • 3:30pmAtria Inn at Lakewood555 S. Pierce St.

LITTLETON3rd Saturday • 3:00pmMorning Star Senior Living5344 S. Kipling Pkwy.

LONGMONT2nd Wednesday • 10:00amLongs Peak United Methodist Church1421 Elmhurst Dr.

1st Monday after 2nd Wednesday 6:00pmLongmont Senior Center910 Longs Peak Ave.

LOUISVILLELast Tuesday • 2:00pmBalfour Retirement Community 1855 Plaza Dr., Wellshire Unit

LOVELAND/JOHNSTOWNMSA/PSP/CBD 2nd Friday • 1:00pmNorthern Colorado Rehab Hospital4401 Union St.

3rd Thursday • 10:15amGood Samaritan - Loveland Village2101 S. Garfield St.

MONTROSELast Monday • 2:00pmMontrose Memorial Hospital800 S. Third St., Class Room B

PARKER2nd Tuesday • 10:00am Life Care Center of Stonegate 15720 Garden Plaza Dr.

PUEBLO2nd Tuesday • 11:15 am YMCA Campus, Community Room B3200 E. Spaulding Ave. SALIDA1st Saturday (EVEN months) • 10:00am205 G St.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS2nd Monday • 5:00pmCasey’s Pond2855 Owl Hoot Trail

SUMMIT COUNTY3rd Friday • 10:00amContact Parkinson Association

WESTMINSTER1st Monday • 1:15pm Covenant Village Retirement Community 9153 Yarrow St., Evergreen Room

WHEAT RIDGE3rd Wednesday (Sept-May) • 10:00amApplewood Baptist Church11200 W. 32nd Ave.

Support Groups

For Care Partner specific Support Groups, please visit page 5. For Support Groups in Wyoming, please visit www.ParkinsonRockies.org.

For more information on Support Groups and contact information for support group leaders, please call (303) 830-1839 or email [email protected]

03

e3 Conference educate • empower • energize

04

Exhibitor+ Sponsors:

Energize Session Sponsor: Empower Session Sponsor: Presenting Sponsor:

On Saturday, September 10th, at the Hyatt Regency Aurora Denver Conference Center, an eager and passionate group of Parkinson patients, care partners, family members and friends gathered to be educated, empowered and energized through a number of topics that ranged from nonmotor symptoms to creativity.

This year we kicked off the conference with Tim Hague Sr., winner of The Amazing Race Canada, sharing his inspiring and moving tale of winning the race after his Parkinson’s diagnosis. The room buzzed with excitement as everyone learned how they can live their best lives possible. We were overwhelmed by the positive responses we received. We cried, we laughed and we danced our way through the day and left the conference with a sense of hope for the future.

We are deeply grateful to our e3 presenters; who donated their time and knowledge to provide our community with helpful tips and tricks to thrive with Parkinson's. Thank you also to the day-of volunteers who ensured the conference ran smoothly and especially to those on the e3 Committee: Kitsi Atkinson, John Dean, Linda Hall, Meredith Roberts and Stacey Tabor; who dedicated many hours in developing and creating a powerful conference.

We also want to give special thanks to the e3 Conference Sponsors:

Please join us, not only during November’s National Family Caregivers Month but all year-round, as we celebrate all the caregivers and thank them for their sacrifices. We all know that caregiving can be an endless job; so we want to make sure you know who you can call when you need to punch out on the time clock and do some self-care. Esther Glickman, care partner and client of Touching Hearts at Home, knows just how important self-care is and shared, “Taking care of yourself helps you to better care for your spouse. Working with at-home services allows me to have comfort in leaving and puts me at ease. Knowing I’m leaving my husband with someone who cares about him, and cares for him the way I would, gives me the relief I need. Whether this support is for a short time so I can join my girls for a coffee and a chat or it allows me to plan for a weekend away, I have comfort in knowing that my husband is in good hands.”

Esther adds, “It’s important to find the person and services that work best for you and have the right relationship with your husband or loved-one too. We have care persons who will come to our home, but we also utilize adult day care services.”

There are many wonderful resources available in our community one of which is Touching Hearts at Home. As they say, “When family can’t be there, we can!”Most of us don’t plan for the time when we might need help. We all experience life in a different ways, with different needs, at different times.

Non-medical in home care is designed to help you and your family maintain a high quality of life. Core services may offer companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, respite care, medication reminders and assistance with running errands. Home care makes it possible for family members to have peace of mind that a professional caregiver is with their loved one when they need a time-out!

Need help finding an appropriate resource in your neighborhood? Call the Parkinson Association Information and Referral Hotline at (303) 861-1810.

Who You Gonna Call...

Exhibitors:

Questions to Ask When Selecting Home Care• Is the agency licensed? • Are the agency caregivers bonded and insured? • How are caregivers trained and qualified? • To what extent are background checks performed?

• How are issues and concerns addressed? • What if we don’t get along with our caregiver? • Will we have the same caregiver every time? • What if we need a last minute caregiver?

(303) 632-8786 | (303) 962-1276 | (303) 255-4071

Power Punch Parkinson’s Non-Contact BoxingTuesdays • 9:00 - 10:00amTrinity Church of Edwards90 Lariat Loop, Edwards Tuesdays • 10:00 - 11:00amThe Corner Boxing Club5500 Central Ave. #115, Boulder

Tuesdays • 3:00 - 4:00pm TITLE Boxing Club9650 E. Arapahoe Rd., Greenwood Village

Tuesdays • 4:30 - 5:45pmOld School Boxing2112 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs

Wednesdays • 10:00 - 11:00amDenver Red Shield2915 High St., Denver

Wednesdays • 10:45am - Noon TITLE Boxing Club4360 S. College Ave., Fort Collins

Thursdays • 10:30 - 11:30amStreets Fitness12520 W. 64th Ave., Arvada

Thursdays • 4:30 - 5:45pm Old School Boxing2112 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs

Fridays • 10:45am - NoonTITLE Boxing Club4360 S. College Ave., Fort Collins

Saturdays • 8:00 - 9:15amThe Corner Boxing Club5500 Central Ave. #115, Boulder

Saturdays • 9:00 - 10:00amTrinity Church of Edwards90 Lariat Loop, Edwards

Saturdays9:00 - 10:00am10:15 - 11:15amDenver Red Shield2915 High St., Denver

Saturdays10:00 - 11:00am (Until December 17)Colorado Mountain CollegeBristol Hall Gym, BR 1281275 Crawford Ave., Steamboat Springs

Rhythm and Grace:Dance for PD® Mondays • Noon - 1:15pmColorado Ballet1075 Santa Fe Dr., Denver

Circuit Training for Parkinson’sTuesdays • 11:00am - NoonKelly Performance and Wellness10835 Dover St., Ste. 1300, Westminster

B.E.A.T. High Intensity ExerciseThursdays • 9:15 - 10:15am5700 W. 25th Ave., Edgewater

Thursdays • 10:45 - 11:45amFitness in the City1212 Delaware St., Denver

Balance & Strength ClassesWednesdays • 1:30 - 2:45pmUnited Methodist Church736 Oak St., Steamboat Springs

Fridays • 9:00 - 10:15amUnited Methodist Church736 Oak St., Steamboat Springs PAR for the Course ExerciseMondays • 1:00 - 2:00pmHighlands United Methodist Church3131 Osceola St., Fellowship Hall, Denver

Tuesdays11:30am - 12:30pm, High12:45 - 1:45pm, LowSchlessman YMCA3901 E. Yale Ave., Denver

Wednesdays • 1:45 - 2:45pm, Low Southwest YMCA5181 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver

Thursdays • Noon - 1:00pm, Low Schlessman YMCA3901 E. Yale Ave., Denver

Fridays • Noon - 1:00pm, HighSchlessman YMCA3901 E. Yale Ave., Denver

High Intensity: for individuals early inthe diagnosis of Parkinson’s diseaseLow Intensity: for individuals who needassistance with mobility

Yoga for Parkinson’sTuesdays • 9:30 - 10:30amHealthSouth Rehabilitation 1001 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton

Wednesdays11:00am - Noon12:30 - 1:45pmScheitler Recreation Center5031 W. 46th Ave., Denver

Thursdays • 11:00am - NoonYoga Center of Steamboat701 Yampa Ave., Steamboat Springs

Thursdays • 12:30 - 1:30pmThe Center for Integrative Medicine University of Colorado Hospital3055 Roslyn St., Ste. 250, Denver

Thursdays • 1:00 - 2:00pmChair Yoga ClassLife Care Center of Stonegate15720 Garden Plaza Dr., Parker

Tremble ClefsWednesdays • 11:00am - NoonValmont Community Church3262 61st St., Boulder

Aquatic AerobicsSaturdays • 8:15- 9:15amOld Towne Hot Springs Pool136 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs

Good VibrationsThursdays • 1:00 - 2:00pmRehabilitative Rhythms Music Therapy 2222 S. Fraser St., #2, Aurora

LOUD for LifeMondays • Afternoons Our Father Lutheran Church6335 S. Holly St., Rm. 300-301, Centennial Registration Required.

PWR! ClassMondays • 1:45 - 2:45pmActiveRx300 E. Hampden Ave. Ste. 100, Englewood

Wednesdays • 11:00am - NoonLife Care Center of Aurora14101 E. Evans Ave., Aurora

Parkinson Association ClassesA liability waiver from your doctor is required. There is a fee associated with most of the classes. Not all classes meet every week. For more information, please call (303) 830-1839 or email [email protected].

We care about Care Partners!Contact Cari Friedman, LCSW for tips for the care partner and respite care resources. (303) 861-1810 [email protected]

Care Partner Support Groups

BROOMFIELDFriday after 1st Tuesday • 10:30amBroomfield Community Center280 Spader Way

COLORADO SPRINGS3rd Friday • 1:30pm Care & Share Building2605 Preamble Pt. Provided by the Colorado Parkinson Foundation - Jeanne Taylor Parkinson’s Support Group.

DENVER4th Wednesday • 6:30pmScheitler Recreation Center5031 W. 46th Ave.

ENGLEWOODMSA/PSP/CBD4th Friday • 10:00amJohnson Adult Day Center3444 S. Emerson St.

LAKEWOOD3rd Friday • 12:00pmInnovAge Cody Center8405 W. Alameda Ave.

LONGMONT1st Tuesday • 11:30amPerkins Restaurant2051 Main St.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS3rd Thursday • 5:00pmContact Parkinson Association

Contact the Parkinson Association of the Rockies at (303) 830-1839 or [email protected] for contact information for support group leaders.

05

Donations Your thoughtfulness helps the Parkinson Association continue to provide services & support. The following gifts were received between July 1 – October 31, 2016

MEMORIALSJames (Jim) Annibella

Esther CampanellaConstance & John Lewis

Helen Bacheller Edward E. Carelli

Chris Baker Josh Brooks

Gary Bass Mike CookCarolyn PeakDave SobbMike & Cara VermillionBill Williams

William Boxer Joe Pells

Margaret Lou Carbaugh Timothy & Mena BernhardtChris & Christine CarllsonCarol CoffeyPatsy JamesMark & Mindy KainKathleen KeffelerLoyal & Luwanda KelseyShelly & Larry LantzDavid & Lois ReitzLaura SullivanCatherine & Michael Violette

Dale DiCarlo Phyllis & Allan Randall

Lawrence Duggan Marlene Chambers

Phyllis E. Emeyer Amy Urlacher

Robert (Bob) Falis Windsor Gardens

Sue Feingold Tiffany & Joel AppelHoward FeingoldLane & Jennifer Feingold

Gordon Friednash Zelda FriednashLeland Huttner

Dolores Gould LaNee Reynolds

Charles Graznak Susan McClure

Ray Hamel Bill Meyer

Jim Hinkle Claire Hinkle

Janet Humphreys Nick PetersonJ. Robert Wilson

Mary Pat Hutchinson Ryan & Danielle Rooney

Elmer JorgensenAmy & Kevin Burant

Bruce Katchen Lee & Barb MendelHank Kates Lee & Barb MendelDr. Alex Kotch

Anne KotchJanice Lehman

Vic & Deb ConilogueGail IdaMarty IdaMary IdaKathy KoehlerJudy McQuaidVeronica NeiswangerThe Rourke FamilyPeggy SchmitzCarrol Tsutsui

Gerri Lew Phyllis & Allan Randall

Paul C. London Carole London

Janean Manske Chris Manske

Janis Martin Joni LiebDonna & Darrell MillerJulia West

Nancy Middleton Jacqueline London

Alton Morrison Heather Dean

Mona Myers Cathryn HowardStephen Richard Orbanosky Joseph & Ann BoberschmidtKori & Mark DeinesGerald EvoniukHoward FryDonna GuestJennifer & Thomas HavelN. & D. KinlundPeter SchmidEugene & Bonita SchultzWesley & Mary Stamp

Alison Paolini Kirk & Linda Hall

Wayne Patterson Julie Nauslar

Jack Pepler Lunds & ByerlysRepp Property Group

David Pollock Lee & Barb MendelJuanita Silberstein

Shirley Pullum V. & B. Demmer

Helen Reierson Robert Reierson

Bernard Rodenbaugh Lynda Rodenbaugh

Joan Rooney Ryan & Danielle Rooney

Sam Rosenblum Grant & Bunny Gordon

William (Bill) Schuler Martin & Deborah BuckleyKen DellVerdella & Robert EmersonGerald & Sharon Gilmore

Raymond Sutton Todd & Ann Masten

Ronald TerMeer Judith & Steve Trynosky

Devera Thorn John & Andrea DikeouAnn GugenheimMark HockenbergVerna JonesDonna KornfeldKent & Barbara KuwitzkySandra & Robert LustigDavid OstermanOphelia PontarelliJoyce RosenblumThe Wonderful Ladies Book Club

Edouard Valette Mary Ann & Mack ClarkVictoria & Irvin DiegelCharlotte HarrisMattie & Jimmy KirkMicki LarsonJoe & MaryLou MassayRichard & Mary MillsMadeleine MusettiFaith & Jerry PercellPatricia Petersen

Otto Van Martin Herb Schepel & Kathie DeaneAustin Toth & Victoria Ramunno

Robert J. Weber Rosalie McIntyre

Victor R. Wise Ellen L. Riley

Bonnie Morgan GravesLinda & Thomas KerinLisa J. LewisKaren & John NarvesonL. Joanne PasquaJoan RollinMichelle SeverudDalene SheederMary StevensJudith & Gene WarrenLeslie & Martha WilliamsApex Consulting Services, Inc.Deere and Ault Consultants, Inc.

Barry Schwarz John AkinsFran BerryJudy BoydRobert & Mary Anne BrantleyBrenda & Bill ClagettKen & Barb CoddingtonJill M. DouglasKirk & Linda HallKent & Kathleen Schwarz

John Shotton Spotswood M. Shotton

Barbara Siefert Dr. Jack Siefert & Family

Linda Sigman Lee & Barb Mendel

Gary Smith Phyllis & Allan Randall

Dr. Joseph Snyder Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Battock

Ramona Stafford Catherine CheneyPhyllis & Cam CrumpBonita & Michael GreenwoodBonnie RamosJan Rosen

Larry Stein Mandy Prosser

06

Celebrating 35 Years! 2016 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Parkinson Association of the Rockies. An anniversary symbolized traditionally by coral, and in the modern age by jade. Both coral and jade embody the growth and direction of the Parkinson Association. Coral represents transformation and change built upon a strong foundation. Ancient people thought that wearing jade would increase body strength and add longevity.

The Parkinson Association, once a small collection of support groups, has created a strong reef of programs and services for thousands of Coloradoans to explore and integrate into their lives. These programs and services focus on empowering the body, mind and spirit of those living with Parkinson’s.

The Association pledges to stay true to transformation, change, strength and ensure longevity of the organization until such time Parkinson’s disease and similar movement disorders no longer exist. Thanks to continued community involvement and support, the Association, your Association, will confidently move forward to meet the needs and challenges of our Parkinson’s community.

HONORSBernard Ambrose

Brian AmbroseKaitlyn AmbroseThomas Bugel

Kaitlyn Ambrose Patrice AmbroseAlicia DeSantisSamantha DrakeCJ PowellJeffery Steffonich

Robert Anderson Laurel Haley

Donna & Gary Antonoff’s Birthdays & Anniversary

Lee & Barb MendelSharad Atre The Phyllis M. Coors Fdn.Dick Auer Lee & Barb MendelAnna Barbre

Lindsay HarrisPauline HernandezShelly JacksonKathy LaPorteGordon PalmerRandy Tafolla

Joseph Barrett Terrence Barrett

Kathy Battaglia James Feldhake

Marsha Bedford Holly Raymer

Guy Beer Paul BeerDebbie Quakenbush

Elsie Belback Richard Kiss

Stephen Berkowitz Todd BerkowitzFrank Schneider

Mary Best Amy & Richard Wilson

David BinkleyMarilyn Binkley

Marsha Blouin Julie Gidcumb

Will Bolin T. Drew Bolin

Sandy Brennan Katie Hansen

Don C. Brown Eric Brown

Betsy Burdich Norman Burdick

Martin Burdick Dorothy Burdick

Johna Cabrera Kristin LeeDon Cantway’s Birthday

Russell E. Atha, IIIDavid GoldbergMarty O’LearyAnn RootJacqueline TeuscherJeanne UpbinMary & Curt Weiss

Christina Claxton USAJ Realty

Irene Corriere Joe Corriere

Thomas Cox The GE Foundation

Kyle Craft Ken Craft

Antolin Gonzalez Del Valle Heidi Delvalle

Kay Dowling Ralph Dowling

Amy Dressel-Martin Heidi & Seth Lorenz

Joe Duluaine Julie Forbes

Kenny Eberhardt Kathy EberhardtCarlyle & Carol Petersen

Ken Erickson Charles SherrodBo White

Wilbur Fleming Gretchen Mitterer

Paul Gamble Kelly & Robert Mills

Len Gemmill Barbara McLaughlin

Harold Gibson Angela Gibson

Patricia GibsonJulie Gidcumb

Nancy GidcumbElena Khasanova

Anne Green Kelsey GreenWarren Green

Dolores Harr Julia Gwaltney

Dolores & Carroll HarrCamille Heverly

Chris EveristPatricia Freeman

Mary Jo Hines Brian & Mary Jo Hines

Gerald Hooker Kyle & Ashton Reppert

Fern Hutchins Michael & Nicole Augustynick

Chuck Jacquinot John B. EllisonPeter Fardal

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Bob Jones Wendy WoodsMary Richards & William Kemman’s Wedding

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John & Cathy McWilliams 50th Anniversary

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James & Judy FeldhakeNeal Mendel’s 50th Birthday

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A new study reports a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease among people whose vagus nerve, the neural connection between the stomach and the brain, has been surgically severed. The results build upon previous evidence suggesting that Parkinson’s disease might actually begin earlier than thought outside of the brain, in areas such as the digestive tract. The study was published online May 29th in Annals of Neurology.

The hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is the presence of clumps of alpha-synuclein in the brain, which lead to the loss of dopamine neurons. The loss of dopamine neurons is thought to cause movement symptoms, yet scientists have found that by the time movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear and a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is made, as many as 50 percent of these dopamine neurons are already lost.

It is well known that non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can precede motor symptoms by as many as 10-20 years. One of the most common nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is constipation, suggesting Parkinson’s disease may be present in the gut years before motor symptoms develop. Backing up this theory, scientists have found alpha-synuclein clumps in other areas of the body, such as nerve cells in the gastrointestinal tract, and have found that gastrointestinal symptoms in Parkinson’s disease are common. And, studies in animal models of Parkinson’s disease have shown that alpha-synuclein clumps in the stomach can travel through the vagus nerve to reach the brain.

To test the theory, researchers led by Elisabeth Svensson, PhD, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark studied individuals who had their vagus nerve surgically severed – which once was a common treatment for peptic ulcers before current medications became available. The individuals studied had undergone one of two surgeries: either one that fully severed the nerve or one that only partially cut the nerve. Dr. Svensson’s team hypothesized that people who underwent the first surgery (the complete cut) might have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease than those who had the partial, nerve-sparing surgery, which would leave the gut-brain link intact.

They combed through the Danish National Patient Registry, which contains records of all inpatient procedures in the country to identify all citizens who underwent either type of surgery between 1977 and 1995 and were followed up for more than five years. They found a total of 5,339 people had who had a truncal vagotomy (full procedure) and 5,870 people who underwent a super-selective vagatomy (the partial cut). Of those, 45 and 59 individuals, respectively, went on to develop Parkinson’s disease.

The researchers also examined the risk of Parkinson’s disease in a group of healthy individuals from the general population.

Results• In analyses that controlled for age and gender, people who had

the nerve completely cut appeared to have a lower risk of later Parkinson’s disease than people who only had a partial nerve cut. However, this effect was not statistically significant.

• In a separate analysis that compared each surgical group to the general population, the risk of Parkinson’s disease was significantly lower for those who had undergone the complete nerve cut, especially in individuals who were followed for more than 20 years. In contrast, people who underwent the partial nerve cut had a similar risk of later Parkinson’s disease as the general population.

What Does It Mean?Overall, the findings suggest that the risk of Parkinson’s disease was

decreased for those who lacked a normal gut-brain connection, although future studies are needed to replicate the results. The new study is also consistent with the hypothesis that the gut and its direct connection to the brain, the vagus nerve, may be involved in the initiation and/or spread of Parkinson’s disease, suggesting that Parkinson’s disease may begin outside of the brain.

The study’s major strength and limitations are that it was using Danish disease registries. It allowed for a long follow-up on a large cohort of participants, but the data is registry based and none of the participants were directly examined.

In addition, some people who underwent the truncal vagotomy (the full cut) still developed Parkinson’s disease. The researchers suggested two possible explanations for this effect: the disease may have already spread upward to the brain by the time the surgery was performed, or may have spread to the brain through other entry points.

It is well established that gut (constipation) symptoms may precede brain (motor) symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. An unanswered question is whether the disease starts in the gut and propagates to the brain. This current research suggest that this may be the case, at least in some people.

This article was originally published as part of “Parkinson’s Science News: What Does it Mean?” on the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) website on July 2015. It is reprinted, in its entirety, with permission from PDF. For other science news, please visit www.pdf.org/science_news.

Does Parkinson’s Disease Begin in the Gut?

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Party for Parkinson’s - Party in the CityOn Thursday, October 13th, our community came together to Party in the City, an energetic celebration at The Studios at Overland Crossing.

During the cocktail and social hour, event guests threw darts to win gift cards at Pick-a-Palooza, tried their luck at Give-a-Guess, entered to win Denver B-Cycle baskets (filled with beverages and baked goods) and bid on some incredible silent auction items; many of which were contributed by our friends in the medical community. They also enjoyed music from the live band, Duck & Cover, while sipping the event’s signature drink, a Denver Mule, enjoying appetizers and having photos taken at the photo booth.

Following this, the guests feasted on a delicious and festively fall themed meal and dessert. Then they played Heads & Tails for a chance to win a three-night stay at a beautifully renovated condo in Breckenridge and participated in the Live Auction, placing their generous bids on sporting event tickets, autographed memorabilia and incredible Colorado getaways.

The party concluded with guests celebrating our 35th Anniversary and acknowledging that our success and accomplishments are only made possible due to the continued generosity of our supporters. Event attendees, plus the additional contributions we received from those who were unable to attend, helped to launch us into the next 35 years; ensuring the Association will continue to push boundaries and invest in life-changing programs which support, strengthen and empower our Parkinson’s community. This event exceeded our fundraising expectations and we’re thrilled to announce that, due to your support, we have the funds to keep expanding our programs to communities throughout Colorado for the remainder of 2016 and into the coming year.

We are thankful to all those who joined us for this lively celebration; as well as the auction committee members and volunteers who dedicated their time to make this event a success. We are especially thankful to, Marilyn & John Baker, Christian Kosted and Katie Strittmatter, who shared how the Parkinson Association has impacted their lives and the lives of those they love - visit our YouTube channel at Youtube.com/ParkinsonRockies to view these incredible testimonials!

We are fortunate to have friends and members in our community willing to come together and share their creativity, talents, passion and dedication to generate awareness of Parkinson’s disease and raise significant funds for our programs and services.

This year we celebrated the third annual year for some returning events; we also welcomed new events with new members in our community. The commitment these organizations, companies, clubs, support groups, exercise classes and individuals have inspired others to help raise awareness to new neighbors in our communities. These also events raised over $55,000!

2016 Community Hosted Awareness & Fundraising Events • Imperial Court of the Rocky Mtn. Empire Drag Show: January 27• Fundraiser Night with the Denver Nuggets: March 2nd• All-Out Multi-Sports Spring Fever 5K, 10K, Half Marathon: March 20

• REFIT: Dancing to Make a Difference: April 23• Punch-a-thon with Fort Collins Title Boxing Club: April 30• ICON Gala Awards Charity Partner: June 14 • Gary Bass Memorial Golf Tournament: July 23• Pass to Pass: August 20-28• Colorado Courage 5K in Denver: August 27 • Redneck Ride for Parkinson’s in Larimer County: August 28• John Atencio Pendant for Parkinson’s: Beginning November• Crowfoot Valley Coffee Castle Rock Starlighting: November 19

A huge thanks to those of you who supported these events in 2016. As you stand besides us, we continue to help those living with Parkinson’s thrive by providing programs and services which support, strengthen and empower our Parkinson’s community. We could not do it without your support!

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Interested in hosting an event? Contact Erica Wright at (303)830-1839 or [email protected].

Make Parkinson’s Work for YouBy Charissa Richter, MOTR, Northern Colorado Therapy Services

Occupational therapy is a skilled service which focuses on increasing your participation in daily, meaningful tasks. Some individuals may wish to address self care, while others may focus upon handwriting, functional balance, driving performance or just moving better. This may mean using a specific strategy to increase independence or it may mean changing your environment to increase your access. A recommendation might even be made for a specific type of adaptive equipment. Your therapist will consider your motivation, priorities, environment, health status, family support and financial resources. Each person’s priorities and goals are different, so your occupational therapist will develop a plan to specifically support you!

In general, it can be helpful to decrease your workload by using adaptive equipment, electrical appliances or simply changing your method. Work with your natural rhythm and complete your most challenging tasks when you are at your best. Some feel most energetic in the mornings, while others just start ramping up in the afternoon. Parkinson’s disease may make it challenging to feed yourself, use your phone, get dressed or sign your name. There are limitless tools on the market designed to help make tasks easier.

Cooking & EatingIn order to ease your ability to feed yourself, you can choose from a

variety of utensils with varying grips and weights. Securing your plate with a non-slip surface or use of a weighted plate may prevent your plate from migrating. A plate with a vertical rim or even use of a plate guard may prove useful. Additionally, there are plenty of kitchen equipment tools available on the market to ease your frustration with meal preparation. Tools such as; a rocker knife instead of a traditional knife, a waffle-grid rubber sheet for opening jars or even the use of pliers to get tabs or sealers off of containers. While cooking, plan for extra servings to freeze for days when you’re not feeling up to cooking or just purchase pre-prepped foods if cooking is not an area of enjoyment for you.

Hygiene When completing grooming or hygiene tasks, electric toothbrushes and

razors reduce your workload and are easier to hold. Disposable floss holders may reduce the tendency to get the floss tangled. Select containers which are easy to open and hold. You can purchase containers which work well for you and then transfer your product into these containers for daily use.

Hassles in the shower can be reduced with use of a bath mitt or a long-handled loofah. Consider reducing the work of drying off, by using a terry cloth robe instead of a towel. Use of pump bottles in a mounted shower bin can reduce the risk of dropping slippery bottles in the shower.

DressingWith so many buttons and zippers, dressing can be a challenge. If you have

difficulty managing these, consider use of magnetic or Velcro closures on your clothing and shoes. Some individuals opt to wear pullovers and elastic waist pants to eliminate the amount of energy and time used while dressing.

Writing Many people with Parkinson’s experience tiny handwriting, which can

be difficult to read. There are many types of specialty pens and grips on the market to help. I recommend that people write at a comfortable location with good lighting. Whatever utensil you have should feel good in your hand and promote fluidity of movement. Take your time and think “big and slow” or “slow and smooth”. Print is often more legible than cursive. Those who prefer not to spend time improving legibility may prefer utilizing voice-to-text options, a signature stamp or pre-printed labels.

Technology There are many options available to increase ease in using your cell phone

and computer. There are adaptive keyboards and a variety of ergonomic mouse options including software to reduce accidental clicks. There are also numerous programs which offer word prediction, speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities. Many phones have the capability to eliminate the need to manually enter information by using voice commands to add items to your calendar, make calls, set alarms and establish reminders.

Contact your physician for a referral to occupational therapy. An evaluation is a great way to get the conversation started to determine how your therapist may help improve your quality of life. An assessment targeted specifically for you, considering your needs and desires, will make all the difference. Your therapist will be able to help you problem solve what is the best plan for you!

Join Us for the Next Party!PARTY FOR PARKINSON’S - PARTY WITH A HOUSE (What house? The Gingerbread House!)Saturday, December 10th | 9:00am - 10:00am & 11:00am - NoonHealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Littleton, 1001 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton

Welcome the holiday season and spread some cheer by participating in a competition for the best decorated gingerbread house while raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease.

Space is Limited - Register Today! $25/House to Participate

More Info & Register: www.ParkinsonRockies.org/HouseParty I (303) 830-1839

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Contact: [email protected] | (303) 830-1839

Hosted By: Presented By: Sponsored By: Party Partners:

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Never underestimate the power of a colorful diet. Colorful doesn’t mean adding sprinkles to your cupcakes. Colorful means including deep dark hued fruits and vegetables at all of your meals. The more color a fruit or vegetable has, the more packed it is with a set of powerful antioxidants. Research is demonstrating, antioxidants are important to reducing symptoms and delaying disease progression in Parkinson’s.

One process that causes neurons to die in Parkinson’s is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a normal function in the body. It is involved in the immune system, helping to fight off pathogens. Oxidative stress is also involved in normal cell growth and death. The molecules that cause oxidative stress are called reactive oxygen species (ROS). We’ve known about ROS for a long time; they just had a different name. We used to call ROS “free radicals.”

Normally, our body regulates the production of ROS. When we are healthy, our body has antioxidants that balance the ROS. Problems arise when the ROS outnumber the antioxidants. When this happens, cells exposed to ROS can die. Neuronal cells, cells of the brain and nervous system, are more prone to damage by oxidative stress. This is a process that is thought to be occurring in Parkinson’s.

We get a significant amount of antioxidants through proper nutrition. One of the most important vitamins for regulating oxidative stress is Vitamin D. Most people think that they get plenty of Vitamin D if they spend any time outside. However, research suggests that up to 80% of people in the US have low Vitamin D levels. If you haven’t done so already, testing your Vitamin D levels is recommended. If your Vitamin D is low, you may need to take a supplement to reach a healthy level.

Vitamins C, E and A are also antioxidants. Most of us have seen enough orange juice commercials to know that Vitamin C is found in oranges and citrus. Citrus fruits have benefits that go beyond their antioxidant content. Recently, researchers at Kyungpook National University in Korea examined a flavonoid called naringin from citrus fruits for its protective effects in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. They showed that naringin helps to prevent neurodegeneration.

While eating citrus is good for Parkinson’s disease, drinking copious amounts of orange juice isn’t recommended, unless it’s fresh squeezed. Orange juice is high in fructose, which is a sugar that contributes to blood sugar misregulation. If you squeeze the orange juice and leave the pulp in, the fiber helps to balance the sugar.

The foods highest in antioxidants are colorful berries. Anthocyanins are plant pigments that make the blue, purple and red color in many plants. Raspberries, blueberries and blackberries are packed with antioxidants. The fresher the fruit, the higher the antioxidant content.

Note that cherries aren’t included in the list of berries. Cherries have anthrocyanins. However, cherries have an additional action that may not be beneficial for Parkinson’s disease. Cherries reduce uric acid; uric acid is one of the more powerful natural antioxidants in your body. Having high uric acid has been shown to be protective for Parkinson’s. Therefore, you don’t want to reduce it. Steer yourself towards the blackberries and cranberries and away from the cherries. When you increase your berry consumption, consider buying organic berries. Studies indicate a high use of pesticides in the growing of berries. Research suggests that people with Parkinson’s may not detoxify pesticides and herbicides well.

Another powerful source of antioxidants is green tea. Polyphenols in green tea act as antioxidants and can quench some of those ROS previously discussed. If you aren’t a fan of green tea, black tea also has polyphenols. While the research studies done on people with Parkinson’s all involved green tea, it’s entirely possible that black tea has similar effects. How much tea do you need to drink? The research suggests three cups a day. However, if you don’t care for tea you can buy green tea in capsules as a supplement.

Finally, I am often asked whether its healthy to drink alcohol when you have Parkinson’s. Red wine is high in antioxidants and anthrocyanins. Resveratrol is a strong antioxidant also found in red wine. Animal studies suggest that resveratrol can be protective for Parkinson’s. However, if you drink red wine, do so in moderation. Research suggests that excessive alcohol consumption can increase disease progression.

Making sure that your diet is colorful is an easy way to start addressing the oxidative stress that is happening in Parkinson’s disease. Eat well and thrive!

Berries, Green Tea, Red Wine for Parkinson’s By Heather Zwickey, PhD, National University of Natural Medicine

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Join us for the 3rd Annual Ski for Parkinson’s event to raise awareness of Parkinson’s, as well as critical funding to directly support those living with Parkinson’s in the Yampa Valley communities. All proceeds benefit the Yampa Valley Parkinson Support Network (YVPSN), an affiliate of the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, programs and services.

Saturday, January 21, 2017Lessons available at 9:00am, 10:30am or 11:30am | Lunch available at 11:00am, 12:15pm or 1:30pmHaymaker Ski Touring Center | 34855 East US Highway 40, Steamboat SpringsSki for Parkinson’s Registration Fee: $75/person | Lunch Only: $50/personAdmission Includes: All-day (Cross Country Ski, Skate Ski or Snowshoe) Trail Pass, Nordic Cross Country Ski Lesson, Discounted Rate for Nordic Ski or Snowshoe Rental Equipment, Delicious Buffet Lunch & More!

For More Information & to Register: www.ParkinsonRockies.org/Ski4PD

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE For more information contact Kolby Sumskis, Ski for Parkinson’s Coordinator, at [email protected] or (307) 413-4938.