Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida

10/12/2026

Is your loved one with Parkinson's "not trying" to speak up — or is something else going on? 🧠
Here's the truth: it's not laziness. Parkinson's disease changes how the brain monitors its own voice, so a person can be certain they're speaking clearly and loudly — even when they're not. Speech-language pathologist Judy Jenner compares it to driving with a broken speedometer: if your feedback is wrong, how could you judge your own speed?
Here's what really surprised us: research shows 66% of communication breakdowns between care partners and people with Parkinson's have nothing to do with speech clarity. They come down to habits like rushing, finishing sentences, or giving up too soon.
The good news? Small changes help a lot: ✅ Get their attention before you speak ✅ Stay 4–6 feet apart, face to face ✅ Use short, one-idea-at-a-time sentences ✅ Offer specific choices, not open-ended questions ✅ Skip hard conversations in the car
💛 Follow this page for more free, practical tips like these — we share real strategies from our PD Talks every week so you never miss the information that helps most.
For over 25 years, the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida has offered free programs, support groups, and speech exercise classes to anyone touched by Parkinson's disease. No fees. No pressure. Just support.
Read the full post: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/blog/supporting-communication-with-your-pd-partner
👉 Sign up for our newsletter: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/signup-enews.html 👉 Become a free, confidential member: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/signup.html 🌐 Learn more: https://www.paswfl.org 📞 239-417-3465

10/12/2026

Did you know 1 in 6 people with Parkinson's disease experience an avoidable hospital complication?

At a recent PD Talk, Annie Brooks of the Parkinson's Foundation shared a sobering breakdown: of every 12 people with Parkinson's disease, about 4 will be hospitalized this year. Of those 4, 3 won't get their medication on time, every time. And of those 3, 2 will experience a complication as a direct result.

Why does this happen? Hospital staff often don't realize that Parkinson's medication timing is just as critical as insulin timing is for someone with diabetes; that common medications for pain, nausea, and psychosis can be unsafe for Parkinson's patients; or that symptoms like hallucinations and sudden blood pressure drops can be part of the disease itself.

The good news: the Parkinson's Foundation built a free toolkit for exactly this problem, called Aware in Care. It includes: ✅ A hospital fact sheet on medications to avoid ✅ A wallet-sized medical alert card ✅ A fillable medication form ✅ A pre-drafted doctor's letter for hospital staff

💛 Follow this page for more free, practical tips like these — we share real strategies from our PD Talks every week so you never miss the information that helps most.
For over 25 years, the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida has offered free education, support groups, and community connections to anyone touched by Parkinson's disease. No fees. No pressure. Just support. And membership isn't limited to Southwest Florida; it's open to anyone with PD, their care partners, or family members, wherever they live.

👉 Sign up for our newsletter: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/signup-enews.html
👉 Become a free, confidential member: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/signup.html
🌐 Learn more: https://www.paswfl.org 📞 239-417-3465

10/11/2026

You are not your diagnosis. 💙

In our latest PD Talk, Dr. Neil Koppel, DC, shared an important message: Parkinson's may be part of your story, but it doesn't define who you are or what you're capable of.

We explored how movement, strength, balance, posture and consistent exercise can support living well with Parkinson's — and why small, meaningful steps add up.

👉 Read the full PD Talk recap:
https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/blog/becoming-the-strongest-version-of-you-with-parkinsons

At PASWFL, we're here to help you navigate Parkinson's with free programs, education, support and community. Members have access to more than 25 programs and support groups each week, including movement and fitness classes, speech exercise, educational programs and care partner support.

Membership is free. You don't have to face Parkinson's alone. 💙

Learn more: www.paswfl.org

10/11/2026

🧠 FREE PD Talk: Fall Prevention and Safety Strategies for Parkinson's 🧠

📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m.
💻 Via Zoom
🎤 Presented by Dr. Cole Ryan, DPT
📝 Register by October 26 @ 3:00 p.m.

Falls are a common concern for people living with Parkinson's disease, but there are practical strategies that can help reduce fall risk and improve confidence. In this free PD Talk, physical therapist Dr. Cole Ryan will discuss why falls happen, how to identify and address fall risks, and what to do if a fall occurs. You'll learn practical strategies for improving strength, balance, and mobility, as well as how to fall more safely and reduce the risk of injury.

Whether you've experienced a fall, worry about falling, or simply want to stay as independent and active as possible, this presentation will give you useful information you can put into practice right away.

👉 Reserve your free spot: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yk1pifxFSeOeR9cMmIdntQ

10/10/2026

Ever walk into a room and forget why you're there — and wonder if it's "just aging" or something more with Parkinson's?
Here's the truth: Parkinson's disease usually affects attention, processing speed, and word-finding more than memory itself. And there's real, good news — your brain can still change and adapt at any age (it's called neuroplasticity), and simple strategies like repetition, chunking, and visualization can make a real difference.
In our latest PD Talk recap, speech-language pathologist Judy Jenner breaks down what's normal, what's a warning sign worth mentioning to your neurologist, and the memory strategies that actually work.
📖 Read the full guide on our blog (link here and in comments) and learn how to protect your memory, starting today. https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/blog/memory-changes-in-parkinsons-disease-causes-warning-signs-strategies-that-help
💛 Like and follow this page — we post practical, expert-backed PD tips like this every week, plus free programs, support groups, and events from the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida.
Free and confidential membership is open to anyone touched by Parkinson's, anywhere — not just Southwest Florida. Learn more at www.paswfl.org or call 239-417-3465.

10/10/2026

Mingle & Share: A Parkinson’s (PD) Resource Fair - Naples

Looking for resources, support and new ways to live well with Parkinson’s? Join the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida for an uplifting and informative morning designed to connect you with local professionals, organizations and service providers.

📅 Tuesday, November 17, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m.–Noon
📍 Hilton Naples | 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples
🎟️ $25 per person

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or navigating Parkinson’s alongside a care partner, this is a great opportunity to ask questions, discover helpful resources and explore products, therapies and services that can support wellness, mobility and quality of life.

Enjoy refreshments, meaningful conversations and the chance to mingle with others in the Parkinson’s community. 💙

👉 Learn more & register:
https://paswfl.org/M&S

📞 Questions? Call 239-417-3465.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Mary C. Schoeffel at [email protected] or 239-417-3465.

10/09/2026

Can you stand on one foot for 10 seconds? One trainer says that simple test says more than you'd think.

At a recent PD Talk, certified trainer Chris Williams, founder of Balance University, shared research showing that people who can't balance on one foot for at least 10 seconds tend to have a shorter life expectancy. The good news: balance is trainable at any age, and falls are not an inevitable part of aging or Parkinson's disease.

Williams shared the science behind it: balance relies on three systems (vision/inner ear, foot pressure sensors, and limb-position sensors) working together with the brain and muscles. Exercise even triggers a brain chemical called BDNF that helps the brain physically adapt and relearn balance thresholds.

A few takeaways to try today: ✅ Practice standing on one foot near a stable chair (15 seconds, working up slowly) ✅ Sit down in slow motion instead of dropping into your chair ✅ Split time between barefoot practice and firm, supportive shoes ✅ Walk as often as you can, and don't skip more than two days in a row

Read the full article: http://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/blog/why-balance-training-matters-for-parkinsons-disease-a-trainers-guide-to-preventing-falls

💛 Follow this page for more free, practical tips like these — we share real strategies from our PD Talks every week so you never miss the information that helps most.
For over 25 years, the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida has offered free programs, exercise classes, and support groups to anyone touched by Parkinson's disease. No fees. No pressure. Just support.

👉 Sign up for our newsletter: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/signup-enews.html

10/08/2026

🧠 New Parkinson’s Research Offers Insight Into Disease Progression
Every person’s Parkinson’s journey is unique. A new study published in npj Parkinson’s Disease used advanced brain imaging, genetic data, and computer modeling to better understand why symptoms progress differently from person to person.

Researchers identified biological pathways linked to motor symptoms, cognitive changes, mood disorders, and other aspects of Parkinson’s disease. They also discovered potential treatment targets that may help guide future therapies designed specifically for an individual’s biology. The findings represent an exciting step toward precision medicine and more personalized Parkinson’s care.

📖 Read more:
https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/brain-activity-predictor-of-pd-progression.html

💙 Learn about PASWFL’s free programs, support groups, exercise classes, and educational resources:
https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/signup.html

A 2025 study found that brain activity patterns measured by magnetoencephalography may help predict future Parkinson’s disease progression and support personalized treatment.

10/08/2026

Did you know Parkinson's disease affects your VOICE, not just your movement?
Up to 90% of people with Parkinson's experience some degree of speech, voice, or swallowing change — a softer voice, slurred words, or trouble eating and drinking. The good news? Research shows speech exercise can slow this progression and help you stay confident, clear, and connected.
We sat down with speech-language pathologist Judy Jenner, MS, CCC, for a PD Talk all about it — and broke down the biggest takeaways on our blog. 👉 https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/blog/speech-exercise-parkinsons-why-it-matters
💙 PASWFL offers FREE speech exercise groups, multiple times a week, live on Zoom. No referral needed — and you don't have to live in Southwest Florida to join.
📞 Questions? Call us at 239-417-3465 or visit www.paswfl.org
Like & follow this page so you never miss vital PD education, program updates, and support resources in your feed. 💙