Support Meetings
Our regular support group meetings are the first Wednesday of each month, 10:30 – 12:30. We are thrilled to return to the Fort Collins Senior Center!
Events in February–April 2025
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February Support - Family Caregiver Support Program - Zoom only! February Support - Family Caregiver Support Program - Zoom only!
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February 5, 2025
Zoom only this month! The Senior Center is undergoing renovations.
Larimer County Office on Aging
The Family Caregiver Support Program is part of The Larimer County Office on Aging (LCOA) which is the Area Agency on Aging for Larimer County. The LCOA serves adults 60 and beyond, adults living with a disability, and caregivers. LCOA plays a unique role not only to provide direct services and fund community partners, but to innovate and advocate to meet the growing needs of the community.
During this presentation you will specifically learn about some of the services provided by the Family Caregiver Support Program including our Respite and Grand Family Respite Vouchers, Caregiver Consultations, and free Evidenced-based classes (Stress Busting and Powerful Tools for Caregivers).
Dani Martin: I have worked with older adults for 8 years with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. I spent 4 years as an Activity Director at a nursing home and the last 4 years in this role at the Office on Aging. I have experience working with kids and adults with intellectual disabilities as well as older adults with chronic illnesses. I am a Colorado native and enjoy spending my free time with my husband, 11 month old son and our chocolate lab, Jax!
Mark Sleeter: I have been a professional Social Worker for 29 years and hold a Clinical License in Social Work (LCSW). I have worked in various settings including mental health, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice. Prior to joining the Office on Aging I worked for 10 years as a Medical Social Worker in hospice, serving those in the community that had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. I also served as a Bereavement Counselor providing individual and group grief counseling. On a personal note, I was a family caregiver to my father-in-law who passed away last year.
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March Support Meeting: Communication and Swallowing in Parkinson’s Disease March Support Meeting: Communication and Swallowing in Parkinson’s Disease
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March 5, 2025
Prairie Sage Rooms 2&3
Michelle Underhill, MA, CCC-SLP
Northern Colorado Therapy ServicesIndividuals living with Parkinson’s Disease often have questions and concerns about symptoms that are associated with PD. This interactive presentation will provide an overview of adult “Speech Therapy” for Parkinson’s, PD-related communication and swallowing issues, and practical “Action Steps” to address those concerns.
About Michelle Underhill:
Michelle Underhill is a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of adults living with Parkinson’s Disease. Michelle and her husband, Jason, founded a small multidisciplinary private practice specializing in Parkinson’s in Fort Collins in 2015. She served for five years as the Director of the Parkinson’s Support Group in Larimer County and is a Contributing Author for multiple editions of the Davis Phinney Foundation Every Victory Counts Manuals.
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April Support Meeting: Speech Language Pathology April Support Meeting: Speech Language Pathology
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April 2, 2025
Prairie Sage Rooms 2&3
Cognition for Communication in Parkinson's: The Role of Speech Language Pathology
Individuals living with Parkinson disease may experience cognitive changes to attention, memory, and language. Speech language pathologists are equipped to provide assessment and treatment for these changes when they impact communication. This talk will review potential cognitive changes that may impact communication, strategies to support satisfying communication, and pathways for comprehensive cognitive assessment. Following this talk, attendees will be able to identify potential topics to discuss with their own healthcare providers.
About Zoe Kriegel
Zoe Kriegel is an assistant professor in the Division of Communication Disorders at the University of Wyoming. Her research centers on understanding the impacts of Parkinson disease on communication to inform more accurate diagnosis and individualized treatments for communication problems. As a certified speech language pathologist, Dr. Kriegel has worked clinically with individuals across the lifespan in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Visitors and newcomers are always welcome. There is no admission charge. And for now, we are streaming the presentation portion of these monthly meetings on Zoom – details are in our newsletter.
If you would like to be added to our email list in order to receive PSGLC communications and online meeting invitations, please contact us at this email address to register: fcpdac@gmail.com
There are more support meeting options, including HARDY Parkinson’s Support Group and Powerful Tools for Caregivers. Click here for more information.
Something for Everyone
| Exercise for Bodies and Voices On Demand (click on links to go to the exercise pages) |
| PD on the Move (video library) |
| Dance for PD at Home (Scroll to the lower part of the page to view the library) |
| Power for Parkinson’s |
| Rocky Steady Boxing |
| SPEAK OUT! Exercises with Pam |
| Rhythm Exercise to Speak and Sing (Video Library) |
Local Classes – Currently Online
| PD Music Therapy Exercise Class | Now being offered via Zoom every Tuesday afternoon from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. This class offers sitting and standing exercises incorporating Music Therapy and Physical Therapy, with instructors Kyle Wilhelm, Music Therapist and Ruth Rice, Physical Therapist. If you are interested in joining this group, please send an email to Kyle.Wilhelm@colostate.edu |
| Power Punch Parkinson’s Fort Collins | Meeting together on Zoom every Monday at 11am, Tuesday and Friday at 9am. Classes includes stretching, balance, coordination, strengthening, endurance, and boxing moves. Participants must complete a Parkinson Association of the Rockies (PAR) waiver prior to attending . Email Kayla Bach at kbbach24@gmail.com for waiver and Zoom access. |
| Moving Through Parkinson’s | Website: www.movingthroughparkinsons.com Monday, 11:00 – 12:15 (via Zoom) Wednesday 2:15 – 3:30 (via Zoom) |
Thank you to our generous supporters!
Thad Pawlikowski
