Tuesday, January 06, 2009
CARE-NET: CAREGIVER ADVOCACY
RCI Board and Staff Present at Young-Onset Parkinson Network Conference
RCI board member Patricia Clark and staff member Amy Tribble served as presenters for the 6th Annual Young-Onset Parkinson Network Conference, held August 7-9 in Atlanta. This popular conference is presented every summer by the National Parkinson Foundation and attracts approximately 500 attendees.
Founded in 1957, the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. (NPF) is a preeminent organization representing the diverse Parkinson community. As the oldest Parkinson organization, with the most extensive grassroots network of centers, chapters, and support groups in the U.S., Canada, and internationally. Since its inception, NPF has invested more than $130 million in research for Parkinson Disease, as well as in comprehensive care services, education and outreach programs.
The Atlanta conference was coordinated by and for people living with Young-Onset Parkinson Disease. Conference sessions included presentations by clinical experts, professionals in the areas of caregiving, support, and advocacy, as well as persons living with Parkinson Disease. Clark and Tribble presented a session which outlined the important conversations which should take place between patient, care partners, family members and community. They discussed important community resources for caregivers and how to access them.
Tribble also made another presentation with Woody Spackman, Jr. of Emory Center for Pastoral Services. Tribble and Spackman discussed Self-Care for Care Partners.
Patricia Clark, Ph.D, RN, FAHA, FAAN, is Associate Professor at the Byrdine Lewis School of Nursing, Georgia State University. Amy Tribble, MPA is Director of State Initiatives at the Rosalynn Carter Institute. Woody Spackman, Jr. M.Div is Director of the Emory Center for Pastoral Services and Department of Pastoral Services, Emory Healthcare and Wesley Woods Center.