APDA Northwest is proud to present a series of free virtual workshops designed to give you practical tools and techniques to help you improve your quality of life with PD.
Next Session: SERIES #3
Finessing Fine Motor Skills
Thursdays 10:30am – 11:30am PT
May 16 – June 6
On Zoom
Description
We use our hands and our fine motor skills throughout many tasks on a daily basis. During this workshop series you will not only learn about tools and techniques to maximize your fine motor skills at home, but also participate in exercises and activities as a group together. Work alongside each other as we strengthen, stretch, and coordinate these precise muscles to maximize independence and accuracy throughout daily activity.
Learning objectives
- Demonstrate safe techniques for increasing grip and pinch strength, and understand strength’s role in fine motor control.
- Learn simple hand movements and activities that work towards having more control over our hand’s small and precise movements.
- Explore tools that can help bridge the gap and support our fine motor movements as needed.
Week 1: Strengthen and Stretch
Pinch strength, grip strength, and overall hand strength have a huge impact on our fine motor skills and coordination. In week one we will learn and complete exercises and stretches that help to increase strength.
Week 2: Dynamic Dexterity
Learn and participate in simple activities and movements that support our finger and hand coordination. These tasks don’t require extra supplies or extended time to provide a lasting benefit.
Week 3: Fine Motor Fun
Many activities, hobbies, and games use and strengthen our fine motor skills through simple participation. We will explore these various tasks and uncover the role of fine motor within them.
Week 4: Allowing Adaptations
Sometimes we just need a little help, and there are tools out there to provide just that. Explore and learn tools and techniques to help us through our daily activities when needed.
*You may want to purchase some items that will be helpful throughout the series*
- TheraPutty: Example (takes you to Amazon)
- Hand Strengthener/Exerciser: Example (takes you to Amazon)
Heidi Huynh, OTR, CTRS
Heidi has always had a passion for finding joy in daily life and helping others achieve that as well. She has years of experience working with aging adults as an Occupational Therapist in many settings including skilled nursing, memory care, assisted living, independent living facilities, and their own homes. Her focus is to assist those she works with in maximizing their independence and safety so they can continue to spend time doing what they love, as well as the daily things they need to do. Once seeing the value of serving aging adults in their own natural environment, she has taken her prior experience and created Ascend Therapy Services, with which she provides mobile outpatient occupational therapy services and provides online resources to better reach the greater community.
Previous Classes: SERIES #1
4 Weeks to PD-PRO: Optimizing Your Diet with Parkinson’s Disease
Description:
In this four-week course, you will learn about the PD-PRO diet and its connection improved quality of life with Parkinson’s disease, how to manage common Parkinson’s symptoms, transitioning to a plant-based diet, and the role of diet in reducing inflammation and supporting brain health. Acquire the knowledge and tools to integrate brain-protective foods into your daily meals, all while optimizing nutrition and flavor.
Facilitated by Kelly Morrow, MS, RDN, FAND
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Seattle Integrative Medicine
Held in Jan-Feb 2024
SERIES #2
Hand On Helpful Caregiving
Description
Throughout these workshops you will learn how to help the one you care for help themselves, using a variety of techniques including adaptive tools, simple modifications to the environment, and adjusting positioning / using proper ergonomics. You will come away with the tools needed to put these techniques into action and the understanding of how big changes can result from even little adjustments. This will allow you and those you care for to work as a team throughout the day.
Facilitated By Heidi Huynh, OTR, CTRS
Occupational Therapist
Ascend Therapy Services
Held in March of 2024