• Remove throw rugs and secure carpet edges
• Gather cords and tape to wall
• Don’t wax the floors
• Remove clutter from steps & pathways
• Keep frequently used items within reach
• –         Example: Phone on the bedside table
• Use non-slip mat in tub; non-slip rug near tub
• Use grab bars in shower and bathroom 
• Good lighting around stairs, outdoors, etc.
• –         Regularly check your vision for changes in acuity, or the onset of cataracts and glaucoma
• Install handrails and fix uneven steps

Try to keep an eye out for additional ways to improve and reorganize your current home. Sometimes the most effective improvements are easy and don’t cost a lot of money.  There are also organizations that will assess your home for safety and do minor home modifications.  These programs can assist with issues like grab bar installation or building a wheelchair ramp:

Jewish Family Service Fix-it Service 8804 Balboa Ave San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 637-3354
Rebuilding Together San Diego 2013 Franklin Ave San Diego, CA 92113 (619) 231-7873

Get MOVING: Enjoy San Diego’s year-long summer with a splash in the pool! Warm water excersie can help you develop range of motion and build muscle –essential for decreasing falls. Consult your physician before starting an aquatic exercise routine, grab a swim buddy and contact us to request a free phamplet on warm water exercise and PD.  

Caregiver tip: Worried about your loved one falling when no one is around to help? A medical alert system can notify responders of a fall and give you peace of mind.  

Learn more:

HHSA Fall Prevention Resource Guide

Fall Prevention Center of Excellence

Don’t Fall for It AIS short video presentation

Physical Health and Fall Risk (Interactive Caring)

*A physical therapist can help you:

• Design an individualized program to address your specific physical limitations.
• Learn stretches and exercises that can be done at home to improve range of motion, balance, posture, strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Evaluate and treat mobility and walking problems as well as joint or muscle pain which interferes with the activities of daily living.
• Plan more efficient movements and compensatory techniques for daily living activities (e.g. bathing and dressing) to make these easier and less tiring to do.
• Learn to use appropriate walking aids.

Since PD is a chronic progressive illness, it’s important to regularly visit your physical therapist. Reoccurring visits at regular intervals, allows your therapist to adequately asses your movement symptoms and help you maintain independence as your PD progresses.

Care partner Tip: Physical therapy can also benefit you! Bending, lifting and helping a loved one with daily activities can take a toll on your body. It’s important for you to know and use healthy body mechanics to help prevent injury. The end goal is to help maximize the independence of your loved one with PD while caring for yourself.

Learn More:
Physical therapy helps someone with PD exercise

Physical therapy – exercise and Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease — how physical therapy can help

Want to see a physical therapist but not sure where to start?
Call us at 858-273-6763 and we can get you pointed in the right direction!

*PD Plan for Life: “What you should know before choosing a physical therapist”

Kathy Y. Randall, LCSW and expert in elder care services, joined the PASD board in early 2011. Over the past several years, Kathy has worked tirelessly for geriatric care and has been an outgoing advocate for the San Diego senior community. She currently serves as President of Randall Elder Care Consultants and Age@Home Elder Care Management. Age@Home helps adult children who serve as caregivers for aging parents, but who cannot be with them due to long distance or because of work or family obligations.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Care Manager in the state of California, Kathy brings more than 25 years of experience in social work to her role with the Parkinson’s board. She specializes in dementia care and is a qualified dementia care specialist through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Kathy serves as President and Founder of Scripps Ranch Elder Care Alliance, a non-profit group that facilitates aging in place through a grassroots neighborhood organization. She is also co-founder and vice chair of the San Diego Dementia Care Consortium.

Kathy received her Bachelor of Science degree in social work from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, and a Master’s Degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Kathy resides in San Diego, CA with her husband, Garrett, and daughter, Nora.

Joanna is an estate planning and elder care attorney whose practice is dedicated to improving the quality of legal services for clients with special needs. She is actively involved in advocacy for PASD patients and their families and is honored to be a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Joanna currently resides in San Diego with her husband and two children.

Joanna describes her practice as “holistic estate planning” that employs collaboration-building strategies to make the estate planning process productive for all members of the family.

Joanna earned her Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School after graduating magnum cum laude from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to practicing law, Joanna had a successful career in higher education advancement at UCLA and San Diego State, and more recently, as Director of Special Planned Gifts at Gordon College in Massachusetts.

As a Board member, Joanna hopes to educate the community on ways to improve the quality of life for people afflicted with Parkinson’s. Her considerable knowledge of and experience with planned giving are already helping the Association in its advocacy and fund raising initiatives. Joanna and her husband, Steve, have two sons, Andrew and Evan.

A long-time San Diegan, Dr. Rick Brydges is a retired Naval Aviator and board member of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego. A superb athlete who lettered in four sports, Rick graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he played quarterback behind the legendary Roger Staubach.

Rick joined the military and fought for our freedom. He attended the Top Gun program at Miramar and flew the F-14 Tomcat in Vietnam. He received his Ph.D. from University of San Diego in Education with a focus on Leadership, his thesis. He was an instructor at the USD School of Business.

Rick, who has Parkinson’s disease, wants to continue to make a difference and contribute by serving on the board of the PASD. He is proud to serve alongside his son, Brooks. As Rick says, “My family is my support and they keep me moving forward in life.”

Charlie Carey entered the United Sates Naval Academy in 1966, graduating with the Class of 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He also has an M.S. in Business from Indiana State University. He served in the United States Navy from 1970 until his retirement in 1995.

Charlie worked as a consultant for several government agencies from 1996 to 2004 and has been the Director of the San Diego & Imperial Counties CFC since 2005.

He brings military, management and fundraising experience to the PASD Board. Charlie was drawn to the PASD Board because his father lived with Parkinson’s for more than 20 years. “Joining the Board would be a way for me to honor him and everyone else with Parkinson’s,” said Charlie.

Charlie resides in San Diego with his wife Sandy.

Pat McDonnell joined the Board in September 2010, bringing with him a wealth of experience in working with the local Parkinson’s community and a keen understanding of the issues facing Parkinson’s families.

Pat currently works as senior therapy representative at Medtronic Neuromodulation, the world’s largest medical technology company. Medtronic develops and manufactures devices and therapies to treat more than 30 chronic diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.

A native of Walnut Creek, California, Pat’s involvement with Parkinson’s patients covers the entire spectrum of the management of their disease. His role is to help answer their questions about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy, the implications, what they should expect during and after the procedure, caregiver and family member questions, while serving as a general resource for the therapy to anyone involved in their care. He also consults and interacts with treating neurologists and implanting neurosurgeons.

A resident of San Diego, Pat is a retired Navy Reserve Captain. He and his wife, Sharon, have three children.

Kathy Bruyere, immediate past President of the PASD Board of Directors, has spent her professional life championing many causes, from equal opportunities for women in the military to research for people affected by neurological diseases.

For many years, Kathy has contributed to the Association in a meaningful way. As a co-facilitator for the organization’s monthly support group, she shares the knowledge and experience she gained in helping her husband, Tom, manage his Parkinson’s Plus disease, called PSP. Tom passed away in 2007, but Kathy continues to devote her personal time in speaking or calling family members and caregivers as they struggle with the impact of this disease.

PASD is privileged to have Kathy as leader and Parkinson’s disease advocate, since she has national experience in promoting community outreach through the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, where she served on their Parkinson’s Resource Board. A San Diego resident, Kathy continues to be a compassionate and active advocate for enlisting support for state and national legislation in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s research and medicines.

As a Naval Officer, Kathy coordinated the successful litigation of a federal statute that discriminated against women in the workforce. This lawsuit helped open the way for the assignment of women to operational positions aboard Navy ships as well as leadership roles Navy-wide. Kathy represented military women as one of the 12 “Women of the Year” on the cover of Time Magazine.

Early in his career as a clinical neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s, Dr. Ronald Kobayashi observed that his patients, their families, and caregivers benefited from a greater understanding of the condition. Dr. Kobayashi soon recognized the value of the PASD and Parkinson’s support groups in providing beneficial information to thousands affected by Parkinson’s throughout San Diego County. He routinely refers both newly diagnosed PD patients as well as those with a long history of Parkinson’s to the PASD.

As a member of the PASD Board of Directors and President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Dr. Kobayashi has reached out to his former medical colleagues to make them more aware of PASD services and programs, and provide them with updates regarding current research and treatment in the field of Parkinson’s.

Dr. Kobayashi received his medical degree from the University Of Southern California School of Medicine. His training included internal medicine at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical Center, and research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Kobayashi received the S. Weir Mitchell Award from the American Academy of Neurology in 1974 and the Clinical Investigator Award (for research career development) from the VA, and is Associate Clinical Professor of Neurosciences (Emeritus) at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine. He has published numerous scientific and clinical articles on neuron-pharmacology and movement disorders.

Terry Barton is the General Manager of the Ability Center, an organization which modifies vans and provides a wide variety of adaptive devices for families dealing with various chronic illnesses, including Parkinson’s. They have locations in California, Nevada and Arizona.

Terry has been working at the Center for more than 15 years and has extensive experience in all aspects of business management.

Jenifer Broomberg, an accomplished artist and community activist, has been a member of the PASD board since 2010. Jenifer, who has a family connection to Parkinson’s disease, is a talented painter, sculptor and ceramic artist.

Born in South Africa, she began studying art at a young age and then immigrated to the United States to continue studying at the University of Houston and Glassel School of Art. Her art has been displayed in galleries throughout California, Texas and the east coast.

After serving as Honorary Board Member for the La Jolla Art Festival and serving as a judge for art competitions, including the Congressional Art Caucus for the House of Representatives, Jenifer continues to create works of art while serving as Art Director for the San Diego School of Music and Art.

Jenifer’s goal is to create awareness and help find a cure for Parkinson’s through various fundraising efforts.

Brooks is a real estate developer and entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in wealth management, having provided personalized service and expert advice in all the areas important to a family’s significant estate and business needs including private, commercial and investment banking, lending, asset management, concentrated stock strategies, financial planning, philanthropic planning, trust and intergenerational wealth transfer planning.

Currently the Principal Partner and Director of Finance for Treat Partners, LP, a real estate development group comprised of a diverse group of professionals with far reaching experience in hotel, resort and convention center development and management,  Brooks is also the co-founder and CEO of an internet startup, and serves on the advisory board and consultant for several more small businesses and organizations including Start Up Circle, as one of the original board members.  Brooks also likes to give back to his community and non-profits by serving on the Board of Directors of the local American Parkinson’s Disease Association chapter and Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, having served as Vice President on the Executive Committee of both in recent years and was acknowledged as the 2010 United Way Combined Health Agencies Volunteer of the Year..

Brooks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from San Diego State University, and more recently is a graduate of the Founder Institute entrepreneurship program 2009-10. Current licenses include NASD Series 7, 52, 63, 65 and Futures 31.

Lester Cohen Lester managed a secure residential treatment facility for seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents while a licensed psychologist in West Virginia. He was previously a co-owner of the Tri-State School of Martial Arts in Ohio, and graduated from the Western School of Law in San Diego, CA in 1990.

Lester was a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a solo-practitioner attorney, mediator and therapist until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000. In addition, he has been facilitating a Parkinson’s Support Group in San Diego, CA for more than 10 years, and has assisted in the development of the first “Good Start” program (for newly diagnosed patients, family members, and caregivers), and production of PASD’s “The Many Faces of Parkinson’s” video.

Lester is a tireless volunteer supporting the local Parkinson’s community and an occasional contributor to the Parkinson Post Newsletter, the quarterly publication of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego.

In spite of his Parkinson’s, Lester is still involved with martial arts, currently training injured Gulf War veterans, and has previously trained such groups as the US Navy SEALS, the DEA and various SWAT teams in the use of hand weapons.

Lester resides in San Diego with his wife, Patricia.

Tom graduated from San Diego State University in 1970 with a degree in marketing. He founded and ran Play Co. Toys, building it into a 19-store chain before selling in 1993. He co-founded and was president and CEO of X Concepts and X Kites selling both companies in 2006. He remains active with commercial real estate development.

Tom and his wife, Nancy, have two married children and four grandchildren.

David R. Higgins

Dr. Higgins has a professional background in biotechnology research, project management, and business development. He has held positions at several biotech companies, most recently as Executive VP for Business Development and Head of US Operations for BioMedica, Inc., a UK-based gene therapy company. He served as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Biology at SDSU and as an Instructor in the biotech technician-training program at SD City College.

More recently Higgins has done consulting work in the biotech industry and has volunteered for various community-oriented organizations. He served as foreman of the 2006/2007 San Diego County Grand Jury. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties and on the Executive Committee of the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology.

He earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology and genetics from the University of Rochester in New York, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute before moving to San Diego in 1990. He lives in the Northpark neighborhood of San Diego with his husband and their chocolate lab.

Higgins has a long family history of Parkinson’s disease, a connection that became even more personal with his own diagnosis in 2011. Higgins leads a Parkinson’s support group and he hopes to use his scientific background and volunteer time to further the mission of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego to help those affected by this disease and to work for a cure.

In this role, she reports directly to the firm’s Executive Director based in Atlanta and works closely with the Executive Director and other national directors and office administrators to develop, execute and manage firm-wide initiatives, programs and on-going processes relating to the operational functions of the firm.

Patricia has a personal connection with Parkinson’s disease as her son suffers from this disease.

Russell Meyerowitz joined the board in 2010 bringing extensive experience in brand development and new media strategy. He currently is the VP of Brand Development at Brand Knew; a hybrid digital agency and incubator based out of Los Angeles and New York. Alongside his involvement with Brand Knew, Russell is the Executive Director of the MEYROW Foundation which started in January of 2009.

The MEYROW Foundation strives to improve the quality of life of individuals living with Parkinson’s through their Parkinson’s Wellness Fund (PWF). They currently have four athletic programs, called Play for Parkinson’s which are held in San Diego and consist of; Soccer, Tennis, Golf and a Run. All programs raise funds and awareness for the PWF.

Russell brings a business owner mentality, energy, focus and passion to our board. Outside of work, Russell enjoys family life, playing tennis and traveling.

.

Comfort Keepers customizes care plans that provide the right mix of services to preserve independence, maintain in-home safety, and enhance quality of life for seniors. Through the years, Carole has created and implemented several training programs that have become best practices for Comfort Keepers franchisees across the United States.

Over the years, Carole has given back to the communities in which she has resided. For five years, she served as VISTA Volunteer on Long Island, New York, assisting in the development of a community-based credit union that was first of its kind. She also served as District Director for the American Cancer Society in New York and as Executive Director of the CPR Program in Clearwater, Florida. Carole attended Brooklyn College in New York.

As a successful businesswoman, Carole believes in giving back to the community as well as spending time with her life partner, two adult children and one grandchild.

Bernard became interested in the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego through a close friend who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Bernard has been in the Financial Services industry since 1996, and with his strong background as an investment advisor and financial planner, Bernard has proven to be a valuable asset to as a PASD Board Member. “I especially enjoy working with families that need guidance in financial planning now, and into the future,” says Bernard.

As Committee Chair, Bernard was instrumental in developing our “Financial & Legal Wellbeing Workshop,” a series of four workshops specifically designed to provide individuals and families with legal and financial strategies that help them achieve and maintain the highest standard of living given the challenges of Parkinson’s.

In 1991, Patricia’s late husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She contacted Mary Mowry, the Association founder, had a long conversation and a couple of days later received a large packet of information in the mail.

Over the the next 11 years, she and her husband, Dr. William K. Tisdale, were so very well served by the association. They received ongoing support and encouragement as Parkinson’s became increasingly significant in their lives.

Patricia was honored to be invited to serve on the Board of Directors. She says it is an opportunity to pay back to the PASD and community-at-large for the many benefits she and her late husband received from the association.

Board Member

Roni Mayben is the Owner/Administrator of Heritage Senior Care, Inc., the oldest and most reputable in-home care company in San Diego County. Heritage Senior Care provides non-medical in home care services to the elderly and homebound.

Heritage serves all of San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Founded by Gayle Mayben in 1983, Roni has worked in the family business since its inception, purchasing it from her mother in 1996. With 30 years experience working in the Home Care industry, Roni has gained respect as an industry leader.

She is a member of the San Diego Home Care Legislative Task Force and is active either promoting “good” legislation or fighting off “bad” legislation that affects the care and lives of seniors and the people that care for them.

Roni is a Licensed Long Term Care Specialists and a Certified Care Manager. With a wealth of resources at hand, she is able to provide connections that can help enhance the lives of our seniors. She excels in problem solving and mediation.

Giving back to the community is one of Roni’s main priorities, and her record of doing just that is very apparent in the free services and programs offered by Heritage Senior Care. Heritage has a full-time Community Liaison who provides ongoing educational events throughout the area. Roni feels it is her responsibility to reinvest resources back to the communities that have supported her vision throughout time.

Roni believes strongly that proper nutrition is the key to a healthy foundation and is a walking testimony to that concept. Roni lives in Carlsbad with her husband and has 2 grown boys, one a CPA, the other a Metal Fabricator/Artist. She also enjoys camping, kayaking, snowboarding and simply having a good time with friends.

For more than 30 years, Mary Mowry has been deeply motivated to help those suffering with Parkinson’s, which affected her first husband for 25 years. She is dedicated to volunteering at PASD in ways that her knowledge and experience make her most helpful.

Mary wants her Tulip Tribute to her husband to fund medical research exploring the cause and cure of Parkinson’s. This ailment cut short the life of this caring and successful physician, husband and father. Since his deepest desire was to learn how the progression of this disorder could be slowed or stopped, Mary is determined to do what she can to support his goal.

Mary’s desire is to see that all persons with Parkinson’s in greater San Diego know about the information, support and services available to them through PASD. As a Board member, her primary concern is to see that PASD continues to provide high quality information and programs to those it serves.

Applications are now available for those who may be interested in applying for a grant through the fund. To request an application, please contact the Parkinson’s Association at (858) 273-6763 or contactus@parkinsonsassociation.org

With 85 teams registered so far, our numbers have doubled in 2012 over the same date last year. Meanwhile, fundraising goals have also exceded 2011 totals for the same date and are expected to set a record as well.

The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego (PASD) is stepping it up in 2012 and turning the Walk/Run into a truly unique experience by adding several vendors and resource outlets to the festival.

“This year’s Step by Step will offer something for everyone,” said Ron Hendrixd, PhD, Executive Director of PASD. “We’ll have live entertainment, fodd and resources for Parkinson’s patients and their families, including a Medical Expo and a Pet Festival.” Proceeds from the event will support programs and services for those living with Parkinson’s disease and promising research.

The Step by Step event is much more than just a Walk/Fun Run! The expanded Medical Expo, California’s largest Parkinson’s Medical Expo, will introduce the public to the latest in Parkinson’s medicine and research. Anonter key component is the Paws for Parkinsons (TM) Pet Festival where attendees can learn about the benefits of pet ownership, including service dogs, for people with Parkinson’s. In addition, attendees can discover ways to live better with Parkinson’s at the Health and Fitness Pavillion. More than 2,000 participants joined the fun last year and with an expanded festival, numbers are expected to surpass last year.

“We’re excited by the positive response so far and expect the momentum to continue right up until the day of the event” said Hendrix.

For more information on registering or becoming a sponsor for the 2012 Step by Step event, visit www.ParkinsonsStepbyStep.org or call (858) 273-6763.

The group will be lead by J. Vincent Filoteo, PhD, and Kathy Randall, LCSW, and will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 4-5PM at the VA Hospital in La Jolla. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 at 4:00PM. To participate, individuals will have to be registered, or eligible to register, as a VA patient. Participants must be formally registered as a group member to come to meetings.

There is limited space available for this group; if you are interested please contact Shannon Earl at (858) 552-8585 ext. 5593 to find out more about the group and if you are eligible to participate. We look forward to starting this group and continuing our development of clinical services at the VA for Veterans with Parkinson’s disease.

We are very lucky to have Richard Dreyfuss lend his voice to our public service announcement for our upcoming 5K Walk. Just another way we’re bringing the best to the Parkinson’s community!

Sometimes a Parkinson’s diagnosis can lead to something amazing. While the initial diagnosis can be shocking and devastating, many find the changes in their brain help them to discover a creative side they never knew they had.

Some find their inspiration in painting. They may no longer be able to write legibly, but they can hold a paint brush steady and paint beautifully. Some pick up a camera and focus on photography. Sculpting clay gives some people an outlet to create.

Writing can also be a powerful outlet. Authors have written their first novel, poem or blog after a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Artistic endeavors provide an outlet for people with Parkinson’s to create what they may no longer be able to describe in words. It can release new energy and provide new purpose to a life changed. It brings since of pride.

Parkinson’s can be an opportunity to learn something new and try something you’ve never done before. Take a class, or write down the short story you’ve had in your head for the last few months. While living day to day with Parkinson’s is certainly a challenge, allow a new experience to be it’s gift.