Resources for Movement Disorders Patients

To learn more about support groups and helpful state and national organizations, view the Parkinson's disease primer (PDF).

Lunch-and-Learns

New Parkinson's Disease-related topics are announced each month. Sessions are offered monthly on the first Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Date: December 7, 2023
Topic: Caregivers
Speaker: Lilia Lovera, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurology Movement Disorders Program, Medical University of South Carolina

In-person attendees will receive a boxed lunch at the end of the session. Up to 25 people will be able to register for an in-person session held on MUSC main campus! For in-person registration, please remember to include each attendee, limit two.

There is no limit for those who are interested in attending virtually and couple registrations are welcome!

Registration

For virtual attendance, please register on Zoom.

For in-person attendance, please email Nicole Cool at cool@musc.edu.

After registering you will receive a reply with details.

You can view sandwich choices on the Hollings Cafe website.

PD Net: Caregiver Assistance Program

A caregiver class based on the premise of empowering community members close to the people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) to be trained as volunteer caregivers or an as-needed helper, depending on defined needs by the people with Parkinson's. Some of the services caregivers could provide include companionship, time, reading to patient, taking a walk, assistance with light housekeeping, shopping, transportation, or meal prep.

Class is offered 3 times per year during Lunch and Learns with focus on the following:

Motor and non-motor symptoms
Psychological stressors
Treatment
Safety and fall prevention
Swallowing precautions
Importance of medication compliance
Coping
Exercise
Relaxation

Those invited to participate:

PD patient and care partner
Potential new patient care partners:
Family members
Volunteers
Friends
Church members
Neighbors

2023 Class Dates

December 7

Registration

To register, please email Nicole Cool at cool@musc.edu. Call 843-792-7859 with any questions you may have.

For More Information

For more information about the Caregiver Assistance Program, please email MUSC Health Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Nurse Coordinator Nicole Cool, BSN, RN, at cool@musc.edu.

Parkinson's Disease Orientation for Newly Diagnosed Patients & Caregivers

"Newly diagnosed" as one year or less of a new PD diagnosis. Learn:

Introduction to Parkinson's Disease and current treatment options
Introduction to MUSC Health Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Team
Community resources locally and globally
Tips and recommendations from Occupational Therapy on Parkinson's Disease and work life
Role of Physical Therapy in early Parkinson's Disease and overall importance of exercise
Role of Speech Therapy in early Parkinson's Disease for speech, voice, swallowing, and communication changes
Overview of research in Parkinson's Disease, how to stay informed and get involved

MUSC Health Movement Disorders Team

Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Team
Movement Disorders Physician
Nurse Coordinator
Neuropsychologist
Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy

Location & Time

In-person sessions are on Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

2024 Orientation Dates

Friday, January 19
Friday, July 19

Registration

To register for the orientation, please email Nicole Cool at cool@musc.edu.

For More Information

For more information about the orientation, or if you are not able to attend in person, please email MUSC Health Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Nurse Coordinator Nicole Cool, BSN, RN, at cool@musc.edu.