Group Activity: Brainstorm Emergency Planning Ideas
Create a form together for all members to take home and fill out. Bring additional ideas to our Facilitator Retreat in Appleton! At a recent Caregiver Support Group meeting, the…
Facilitator Success Tip: Handling the Overbearing Member
As facilitators, we have to go with the flow, and often some of the most memorable group meetings occur when the leader is willing to scrap the plan for the…
Education: Nutrition
March is National Nutrition Month, and I think one of the best nutritional goals for all of us is to assure we stay well hydrated. You might be surprised to…
A note from Laurie | March 2020
Dear Facilitators, March blew in with some unexpected changes and health concerns for all of us, and we are adjusting our lives and doing our best to stay well. I…
DaTscan
Several support group members have asked for more information on the DaTscan imaging tool. Listed below is a summary describing what a DaTscan is, why and when it may be…
A note from Laurie | October 2019
Dear Facilitators, Wisconsin is beginning to explode with the colors of autumn, and I hope you are jumping into the fall season full of excitement for the coming holidays, feeling…
Music & Stress Management
There is no question that music is a universal language that can evoke emotions and memories that span a lifetime. But music can also be a healing mechanism, and can…
Facilitator Success Tip: Support for Care Partners
Caregivers play a tremendous part in the care and support of those managing Parkinson’s. It is important when facilitating your support or exercise groups to assure they have a chance…
Fall Prevention
In honor of the fall season, and the upcoming and not so welcome icy weather, I wanted to share some information on fall prevention! We have had several speakers help…
Facilitator Success Tip: Community Health Educators
Community Health Education Nurses are a fantastic resource for your group meetings, and are often very helpful in providing valuable information on a wide range of health topics, and may…
Cognitive Activity: Mental Focus
Memory Recall Activity: One-Way Journey Objective: To improve visuospatial orientation (the thought processes that involve visual and spatial awareness), and to improve memory recall skills. Steps: – Select two well-known…
Help collect geographical data on PD
We often get asked about actual numbers of people managing Parkinson disease around the state, and in what areas they live. While a national database is in process to track…
Care Partner Focus: Outdoor Activity
Fresh air and sunshine can help relieve stress from being cooped up together all winter, and break up the day-to-day the routine that can occur when we are stuck indoors…
Lessons from the Field: Positive Intentions
Positive Intentions Go around the group and ask each member to share something thing that brings them happiness or joy that they can still do in spite of Parkinson’s. This…
A note from Laurie | June 2019
Dear Facilitators, Warmer weather is finally here and with it comes new opportunity! As I visit with many of you across the state, sharing information about WPA resources and events,…
Pharmaceutical Speaker Resources
Our staff often meets with representatives from various pharmaceutical companies. These representatives are willing to come to your support groups to share information about the medications they offer. Please see…
WPA Podcast
We recently launched a Podcast/Online Radio Show! We will create a new episode every other week, and we’ll interview doctors, people with Parkinson’s, caregivers, therapists and more! Listen to past…
Facilitator Success Tip: Promotion
There are never too many ways to promote awareness of your support group or exercise group in your community! One of our goals is to reach everyone in a community…
Lessons from the Field: Meeting Resource
One activity that can help spark group conversation and increase participation in discussions is a round-robin activity. Facilitators often tell us they struggle getting members to participate and interact. Feedback…
A note from Laurie
Dear Facilitators, Although it’s still snowing the last few days, I know winter will be ending soon – and time seems to have flown by for me this year! Since…
Care Partner Focus
One of the recurring themes we hear from groups is the need for Caregiver resources. WPA is committed to helping the whole family manage Parkinson disease. For example, we recently…
Facilitator Feedback: Your Voice Matters!
We need your help! Here are a few ways you can have input as we move forward… Speaker’s Bureau WPA knows how difficult it can be to attain qualified speakers…