Coffee and Conversation

Service Description

Coffee & Conversation Typically hosted by Caregiver Support Specialist Linda Sowers, or Peer Mentors Elaine Ptacek, or Crystal Berg Every Wednesday morning at 10:45 a.m. The Movement Connection Coffee & Conversation follows immediately after PRW! Moves Fitness Therapy with Brenda Mazanec. To attend this free class, you must first complete a required physical intake assessment with Brenda Mazanec at The Movement Connection. The intake assessment is free and helps us fulfill our grant programming goals which makes these Moving to Live classes available. Once you are ready to attend class, please either call or text Elaine Ptacek or email Crystal Berg at parkinsons@movingtolive.org to reserve your spot. Please remember space is limited, so if you are not able to attend class, please be sure to cancel your reservation as soon as possible. Join us after Fitness Therapy every Wednesday at The Movement Connection for a chance to visit, grow your community of supporters, talk about new medical advancements, and local resources that might benefit you and your family. Refreshments will be provided. Depression, anxiety and feelings of isolation and loneliness are common symptoms of Parkinson's Disease-- but not only for patients; it's a common problem for caregivers, too. During Coffee & Conversation, one or more Peer Mentors will be available to visit, give information about local and regional services, and help you navigate the complexities of the disease by sharing stories of their own experiences. Visit the staff page to learn more about Peer Mentors Elaine Ptacek, Crystal Berg and Linda Sowers. Additionally, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research says that not only are feelings of depression and anxiety understandable feelings when faced with the diagnosis of PD, but mood disorders are clinical symptoms of PD and can impact quality of life and how treatments work. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety are symptoms of the disease, just like slowness of movement and tremors. However, over the past decade, Parkinson's researchers have placed significant priorities to understand how to treat mood disorders . Experts say that attending support groups, like Coffee and Conversation, can help. Many people find that support groups help them cope with the day-to-day realities of having Parkinson's Disease. And, having the opportunity to share can be truly therapeutic – not only for patients of PD, but also for their caregivers and family, too.