Finding the right support can change everything. This fall, three new programs are bringing help to communities across Canada, thanks to Parkinson Canada’s CARE Fund.  CARE Fund supports organizations creating local programs for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. The goal is simple: make sure everyone has access to the resources they need, no matter where they live. 

Here are three of the programs selected, working hard to make it happen:

Get LOUD! Stay LOUD!

Speaking clearly gets harder for many people with Parkinson’s. Conversations take more effort. Words don’t always come out the way you want them to. 

Get LOUD! Stay LOUD! is here to help. This virtual program led by speech-language pathologists, this online program offers daily classes and ongoing support to help people maintain a strong, clear voice. 

A 30-day free trial is available, and funded spots are open through CARE Fund. Learn more at www.getloudstayloud.com.

Unlocking Movement: Your guide to managing freezing of gait in Parkinson’s

Freezing of gait, or better known as “freezing”, is the involuntary but temporary inability to move. For a person living with Parkinson’s, it may feel like their feet are glued to the ground, or that they are stuck in one place. 

Unlocking Movement, a 6-week online program offered by Neurology Rehab, was designed to help people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners grasp a better understanding of how to manage a freezing episode. Developed by Parkinson’s physiotherapist Haseel Bhatt, the program focuses on self-management, education and practical strategies to build confidence and independence.  

Learn more and register here: https://neurologyrehab.kit.com/freezingprogram

Mindfulness Meditation

Anxiety and emotional changes come with Parkinson’s. Finding ways to manage them isn’t always easy, especially in underserved communities. 

Living Better with Parkinson’s offers an 8-week Mindfulness Meditation program in South Georgian Bay. The program teaches practical skills to help manage anxiety and build resilience. This program base in South Georgian Bay, ON. It’s offered at no cost. 

To register, call 705-607-6933 or email info@livingbetterwithparkinsons.com. 

What’s next 

These programs are proof that support comes in many forms. Whether it’s finding your voice, discovering joy, or learning to breathe through stress, help is here. 

To learn more about CARE Fund programs in your community, visit https://www.parkinson.ca/care-fund/