Our regular support group meetings are the first Wednesday of each month, 10:30 – 12:30. We are grateful to now be back at the Fort Collins Senior Center! And for now, we are streaming the presentation portion of these monthly meetings on Zoom – details are in our newsletter.
Events in August–October 2026
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August Support Meeting: Driving with Parkinson's August Support Meeting: Driving with Parkinson's
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August 5, 2026
Prairie Sage Rooms 2&3
Driving with Parkinson’s: Staying Safe, Staying Independent
Join Lisa Pirraglia, OTR/L, an outpatient neurological occupational therapist at the Medical Center of the Rockies, for a supportive conversation about driving and Parkinson’s. Learn how symptoms may affect driving, when it may be helpful to seek a driving evaluation, and what happens during an in-clinic assessment. The session will also provide practical tips and local resources to help individuals and caregivers plan ahead and stay safely connected to their community.
About Lisa Pirraglia, MOT, OTR/L PWR
Lisa Pirraglia, OTR/L, is an outpatient neurological occupational therapist at the Medical Center of the Rockies with over 17 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation across outpatient, inpatient, and home health settings. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University and has dedicated her career to helping individuals with neurological conditions live as independently and meaningfully as possible.
Lisa has advanced training in treating progressive neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, and is a PWR! Moves® Certified therapist, focusing on improving movement, function, and participation in daily life. Her clinical expertise also includes cognitive, visual, and vestibular rehabilitation for individuals recovering from concussion, stroke, and other neurological conditions.
In addition, Lisa provides driving-related services, including in-clinic driving assessments to evaluate safety, cognition, vision, and motor skills, and to guide individuals and families in making informed decisions about driving and community mobility.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and children and staying active in Colorado through hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, and traveling.
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September Support Meeting: There's No Place Like Home: Planning to Age Safely at Home September Support Meeting: There's No Place Like Home: Planning to Age Safely at Home
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September 2, 2026
Prairie Sage Rooms 2&3
There's No Place Like Home: Planning to Age Safely at Home
Nearly 90% of seniors say they want to stay in their own homes as they age — but most families haven't planned for what that takes. In this discussion-based session, Kristin Dahlquist covers the essentials every family should know: the difference between home care and home health care and how to choose the right provider, the everyday realities of "Sandwich Generation" caregivers balancing aging parents and their own families, and how to start "the conversation" with a loved one before a crisis forces it. You'll leave knowing the five most common home safety pitfalls, the remodeling and technology solutions that keep seniors independent, and where to find resources for the caregiving journey.
About Kristin Dahlquist
Kristin Dahlquist is the owner of Home Instead offices in Denver and Fort Collins, where she leads teams that provide personalized home care to more than 700 seniors and their families across Colorado each month. With a Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Master of Public Health from The Ohio State University, Kristin combines academic expertise with hands-on leadership to advance quality, compassionate senior care.
Under her leadership, Home Instead Denver was recognized for innovation in dementia respite care through partnerships with CMS GUIDE Program and Alzheimer's grant funding. Kristin also serves on the executive committee of the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, helping to improve resources and support for families impacted by Parkinson's disease.
In 2025, Kristin was honored by the Denver Business Journal as one of its Outstanding Women in Business, reflecting her commitment to building strong teams, strengthening community partnerships, and raising the standard of care for older adults.
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October Support Meeting - A Better Day with Parkinson’s: Support for the Person and the Caregiver October Support Meeting - A Better Day with Parkinson’s: Support for the Person and the Caregiver
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October 7, 2026
Prairie Sage Rooms 2&3
A Better Day with Parkinson’s: Support for the Person and the Caregiver
Parkinson’s affects far more than movement. It can also impact energy, mood, communication, thinking, balance, daily routines, and social connection—while placing increasing demands on family caregivers. This presentation explores how adult day services can provide meaningful support through safe movement, structured activities, social engagement, nutritious meals, purposeful experiences, and individualized assistance.
Participants will also learn how reliable daytime care and respite can help caregivers manage responsibilities, reduce stress, and preserve their own well-being. Discover how Elderhaus helps people living with Parkinson’s remain active, connected, and engaged while giving families greater peace of mind and the opportunity to enjoy being family again.
About Jenny Langness
Jenny Langness is the Executive Director of Elderhaus Adult Day Program in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she leads all aspects of the 45-year-old nonprofit, including program development, staffing, compliance, marketing, grant writing, and strategic planning. With a background spanning nonprofit leadership, senior living, therapeutic recreation, dementia care, and business development, Jenny is passionate about creating programs that honor dignity, ability, purpose, and belonging.
HARDY Parkinson’s Support Group
Targeted for Highly Active, Recently Diagnosed or Young-Onset People with Parkinson’s. This group meets at 6:00pm in the Community Room at the Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Get the latest info at: https://hardyparkinsons.wordpress.com
HARDY Parkinson’s group meets every 4-6 weeks. Watch your inbox for meeting dates. For further information, email: paul.french.parkinsons@gmail.com
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a program that has been offered since 2008 in Larimer County and there are now hundreds of ‘graduates’. Caregivers meet for six weeks for 2 hours per week and learn how to:
- Identify and find ways to reduce stress
- Improve self-confidence in coping with caregiving demands
- Ways to communicate difficult emotions
- Find community resources
Thank you to our generous supporters!
Thad Pawlikowski
