Those who have Parkinsons disease, their caregivers, family, friends, and other interested parties
By providing education, resources and support for our Parkinsons community
We fill a local need for new information on and solutions related to Parkinson's disease.
We provide non-biased, non-partisan support and education for those effected by Parkinsons disease.
Torrington Area Parkinsons Support Group
The Torrington Area Parkinsons Support Group recently organized to fill a local need for new information on and solutions related to Parkinson's disease. Our meetings are held every fourth Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM at the Sullivan Senior Center located in Torrington. (check our calendar)
Meetings include speakers from health care professions and local support services organizations, as well as separate group sessions for both the caregiver and caretaker.
Our Northwestern Connecticut area parkinsons support group meetings are open to those who have Parkinsons disease, their caregivers, their family and friends, and other interested parties.
For more information contact Sue Pelchat at 860-201-7913 or Ann Quattrocchi at 860-309-6336 or Carol Pathe at 860-482-4610
IT'S TIME TO CREATE YOUR WALK FOR PARKINSON's TEAMS
Click on the buttons above and
create your teams or donate to a team.
You can also download and mail in your walk form == DOWNLOAD IT HERE
Are you newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and looking for support/education
Thank you for supporting my group programs for those who have been newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Facilitating groups has been an unexpected joy of mine in this role, and although in my experience, virtual groups leave something to be desired, they are better than no group at all. We are recruiting for a new PD SELF group that is all virtual, which definitely has it’s perks in terms of avoiding long drives, traffic, weather issues, etc.
Please distribute to anyone you come in contact with, that is newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and looking for support/education. The window is 0-3 years for PD SELF, but I certainly wouldn’t exclude someone in the 4th or 5th year. Attached are the flyers with additional information and please give my contact number to anyone that wants more information or has questions.
Most important information to know about PD SELF is:
Free, They do not need to be attending Hartford healthcare for their treatment, and I promise that I/we do not encourage changing healthcare providers. My co-facilitator attends treatment with the Yale Group, so we take a very neutral approach.
A national program of the Movement Disorders Foundation that provides newly diagnosed Parkinson's patients with a scientifically-based disease management approach. Using self-efficacy techniques pioneered by renowned social cognitive psychologist Albert Bandura, for the past seven years PD SELF has provided those with PD and their care partners with the education, tools and motivation to manage their disease with courage and confidence
Who is eligible?
People with Parkinson's and their care partners within three years of diagnosis who can commit to a 4-month bi-weekly program. PD SELF is currently available in 13 cities and has over 1900 graduates.
For 2020-2021 the PD SELF program is preparing to be all virtual and sessions will take place 2 times a month which would allow us to run 2 programs a year, fall and spring. Recruitment for fall 2020 is beginning and here are some materials to give out. This program is specifically for people that are newly diagnosed or have received a PD diagnosis in the last 3 years. Most appropriate are people dx with Idiopathic PD and asking “what now? What do I need to know and what should I be doing”.
Co-Facilitation model with a healthcare professional (me) and a person dx with Parkinson’s disease (my partner, Evelyn Foran)
Forward on to anyone that I may have left out accidentally.
Thank you,
Amanda Brill, LCSW,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Hartford Healthcare
DOCUMENTS: FAQ 2020-21 Hartford and PD SELF 2020 Hartford
FROM: Susan Lather |Connecticut Information and Referral Center Coordinator
American Parkinson Disease Association:
We are trying something new. Register for one of these free Zoom classes and you will be sent a link and a password. Join us from the comfort of your home for one or both of these uplifting classes. I have also attached two flyers for educational online sessions. Past attendees report both PRESS and PD Self have provided tools to better manage PD.
Laughter Yoga
Laughter is good for you. It can relieve stress, release endorphins, and help you to relax. It may actually improve your immune system and relieve pain. A 2016 study on Laughter Yoga and Parkinson’s found statistically significant improvements in well-being for adults with PD and their care partners after attending a Laughter Yoga session. Anyone can do it. And there are no side effects! When you pretend laughter, you get the same benefits as actually laughing and before you know it, you are laughing naturally. Join Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and Trainer Rob Rivest on Zoom for an eight- week series of Laughter Yoga classes.
Starts Thursday, September 17 at 10 a.m. for eight-week series of once a week meetings. Register here
Music Therapy with Maggie
Music Therapists are trained and board-certified professionals. Music therapy can help a person with Parkinson’s disease with their balance, communication, cognition, mental health and prevent social isolation. And it is fun! A typical class may start with a warm up, try some percussion or sing familiar songs. Music Therapist Maggie Carchrie leads the group with a pleasant smile and an engaging personality.
Starts Monday, September 14 at 1 p.m. for an eight-week series of once a week meetings. Register here
EXERCISE PROGRAM - "Keep It Movin'"
The CHH exercise program will resume at the end of June, probably on June 29th, if there is enough interest. Nancy Perrotta and Sue Saya of HHCHealth are planning to initiate the program at the East Main Street facility (formerly Sky Top Lanes).
Instructors and PT staff will be taking health precautions for the personal protection of all present:
Small class size (4-5 + the instructor)
Separate entrance from patients
Taking temps of everyone on entry
Facility cleanliness
Kelly will probably lead the sessions if she has the times open in her schedule.
Nancy and Sue Saya need to know who would be interested in resuming, or starting, the in-person exercise program. Please contact Sue Saya at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible if you would like to participate. You can let her know to sign you up, or, if you're not ready to start right now, let her know when you think you might be ready.
If you are hesitant to attend an in-person class but would consider an online session, please contact Sue Saya with that information as well. It may be a possibility.
As always, TAPSG assumes no liability for your participation but will cover the cost of the exercise program for as long as we can afford it. And, as always, we expect each person to attend all classes once they sign up.
Why We Walk for Parkinson's Research
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3 Important Clinical Trials!
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Contact Sheila Thurlow, MSN, RN, CCRP at 860-302-1698. Sheila is coordinating (locally) these 3 important clinical trials and can provide more information.
Remember: fully enrolled clinical trials are critical to PD research. Your participation is critical!
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Championing Parkinson’s Research!
Thank you for your dedication to Fox Insight. With over 20,000 participants, you are part of the largest Parkinson’s disease (PD) research study in the world! Every time you log in to Fox Insight and fill out surveys, you are providing doctors, researchers, and drug developers with information to better understand Parkinson’s from the true PD experts—patients and their families. Read the first issues of the Click to read the newsletter. We will circulate two issues each year to keep you informed about study findings, updates, and new opportunities for participation.
Did You Know?
- Every 9 minutes an individual is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
- 1 in 10 people will have Parkinson's
- There is no “definitive test” that can confirm Parkinson's disease, except after death
- Parkinson's is not just your "grandparent's" disease or for "old" people
- Currently there is "no cure" for Parkinson's
- Medication can substitute for the missing dopamine, but it is only a temporary solution
- There are 60,000 new cases of Parkinson's Disease a year
- The total cost to the nation is estimated to exceed $6 Billion annually
- Without more federal funding for research to find a cure for Parkinson's, the numbers of Parkinson patients will only increase each year
Torrington Connecticut Area Parkinsons Support Group is sponsored by the Sullivan Senior Center, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and the Connecticut American Parkinsons Disease Association.
The Mission of the Torrington Area Parkinson’s Support Group is to maximize strength, minimize disability and achieve and maintain full potential of people with Parkinson’s and their caretakers.