Resource Center: APDA Northwest connects with the community in many ways, including our resource center where we are always available during business hours by phone and email. We provide callers with information, referrals, and resources, connect people with a support group or wellness class, and offer a listening ear. We provide newly diagnosed individuals – as well as hundreds more callers already familiar with APDA - with PD education resources, and referrals to support groups, exercise classes, doctors, and more. Our quarterly Parkinson’s Pathfinder magazine is produced locally and filled with useful articles, personal stories, and available resources, and our weekly Eblasts are filled with useful information and upcoming events, education opportunities, and exercise classes.
Research: APDA is committed to scientific research and has been a funding partner in many major PD scientific breakthroughs, investing nearly $55 million in research since 1961. Many APDA-funded researchers have successfully leveraged pilot data to secure multi-million-dollar grants through the National Institutes of Health and other funding partners. APDA Northwest is the sole funding source for our local Parkinson’s Disease Registry, which connects researchers to potential study participants and helps research happen faster.
Support Groups: In person and online support groups are helping thousands of people in our PD community continue to see friends and maintain their support networks. APDA paid for many of these groups to be led by professional facilitators with expertise in social work, counseling, and the challenges brought on my PD, and supported volunteer leaders by providing. information, assistance, and training. APDA educational support series – such as PRESS™ for newly diagnosed and Tools for Powerful Caregiving - armed and empowered attendees with knowledge about PD as well as the opportunity to develop enriching relationships with their peers and the community. APDA recognizes how difficult caring for a loved ones with Parkinson’s can be and encourages our PD community to keep relationships healthy and balanced. We provide Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a series of 6 classes that teach family caregivers how to take better care of themselves while caring for a family member or friend.
Activity and Wellness Classes: Exercise and physical activity are vital for people with PD to better manage their symptoms. The benefits are well documented, and include increased strength and endurance, improved gait and balance, cardiovascular fitness, and overall better quality of life. APDA enlists experienced Parkinson’s exercise professionals to provide weekly online classes, offered free of charge to all participants. We also prioritized offering a variety of exercise disciplines, so that there are options for everyone, no matter their fitness level or interests.
Visit our online calendar to view classes (apdaparkinson.org/events).
Education: A recent study quantified the economic burden of PD in the US at $52 billion. In addition to numerous downloadable brochures and free publications, APDA holds numerous innovative education programs throughout the year and across our region to communicate the latest research, trends, and information
APDA conducted numerous online education programs throughout the year to communicate the latest research, trends, and information, including tailored programs for the newly diagnosed. We refined our online offerings while focusing on communities where we could resume in-person programming.
Financial Support: APDA’s Financial Hardship Fund helps to alleviate some of the financial burden created by PD. Applicants must have a Parkinson’s diagnosis and live in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, or Montana. Eligible participants are awarded an annual scholarship of $400 to help pay for PD-related expenses such as transportation, respite care, at-home assistance, light yard maintenance, exercise classes, adaptive equipment, medication costs, and more. People use it for a variety of uses, such as paying for vital exercise classes, offsetting respite care expenses, medication costs, adaptive equipment and more.
Fundraising: APDA relies on individual donors and events like Magic of Hope to raise funds to support all of the above vital programs, services, and research. Donations come from individuals and corporations, grants, special events, third party fundraising, legacy gifts and much more. It is because of our generous donors that we can provide hope and optimism to thousands of people impacted by Parkinson’s disease.
