Parkinson Association of Alberta – Programs & Events

MAY 2026 NEWS FROM PARKINSON ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA

NEW PROGRAM:

VOICE, SPEECH & COMMUNICATION

This 8-week, Norquest College student-led group therapy program helps individuals with Parkinson disease improve their voice, speech clarity, and communication skills through practical techniques in a supportive peer environment.

What Participants Will Gain

• Improved vocal strength and breath support
• Better articulation and rate control
• More expressive, confident communication
• Communication practice to support memory and attention
• Real-world communication strategies
• A personalized long-term maintenance plan

Program Details

• Mondays from May 4 – June 29 | 10:00- 11:00AM
• In-Person at the Buchanan Centre

FREE TO JOIN. Registration is required

REGISTER NOW FOR STEP N’ STRIDE

Step ‘n Stride is back, and registration is officially open! Join us this September for our 14th annual Step ‘n Stride—our biggest and most exciting fundraising walk of the year. Whether you’re walking in support of yourself, a loved one, or as part of a team, every step helps make a difference.

Step ‘n Stride is for everybody! Come join us on September 12th in Yellowknife and September 19 & 20 in Alberta. We’ll be making more announcements throughout the next few months so stay tuned!

Reserve your seat at the table for one captivating presentation from Larry Gifford. Larry is the President and Co-Founder of PD Avengers, a global patient-led organization providing awareness and advocacy for people with Parkinson’s.

In this keynote, Larry Gifford brings the theme “One of a Kind” to life through his own Parkinson’s journey and the stories of a global community. While every experience with Parkinson’s is unique, the systems meant to support people often aren’t built that way. Larry will explore the tension between individuality and the need for collective action—sharing how storytelling, connection, and advocacy can transform one-of-a-kind experiences into a movement that is impossible to ignore.

This talk is as unique as the individual journeys with Parkinson’s. Purchase your tickets today.

FOR THE ONES WHO CARE OUR LOVED ONES LIVING WITH PARKINSONS

As Care Partner Awareness Month approaches in May, we encourage you to take advantage of upcoming opportunities to connect with other care partners and family members.

In May, our Care Partner sessions will offer a unique opportunity that don’t come around as often as we’d like. We’re hosting in-person sessions with small groups of fellow care partners. These sessions are a chance to ask questions you may feel hesitant to raise in front of your loved one, and to empower yourself as you continue to grow both for your own well-being and for the person you support living with Parkinson disease. We welcome care partners, family members and friends to join.

Care Partner Support Program

Fridays from May 8 – May 29 from 1:30PM – 3:30PM | In-Person for 4 weeks

Care Partner Q&A

Thursday, May 7 at 10:00AM | In-Person

Transition to Care Program

Fridays from May 29 to June 19 from 10:00AM – 11:30AM | Online for 4 weeks

Registration is required for these sessions.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & SUPPORT GROUPS

All support groups and programs can be found on our website: https://parkinsonassociation.akaraisin.com/ui/programs

Our newsletters serve as a friendly reminder for timely registration. Please remember that we require registration at least two days prior to the program or group date to guarantee that we meet our minimum attendance requirements.

Atypical Parkinsonism:

• This support group is for those diagnosed with Atypical Parkinsonism and their loved ones
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 10:00 a.m. MST, May 5, 2026

Care Partner – General:

• This support group is for those whose loved one has PD or Atypical Parkinsonism
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 10:00 a.m. MST, May 12, 2026

Care Partners – Young/Early Onset Group:

• This support group is for those Care Partners under 64 whose loved one was diagnosed with Parkinson’s before the age of 50 (Young/Early Onset)
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 6:30 p.m. MST, May 12, 2026

DBS/ DuoDopa/ Vyalev:

• This support group is for those who have undergone one of these interventions for PD and their loved ones
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 1:30 p.m. MST, May 5, 2026

Newly Diagnosed Support Group:

• This support group is for those newly diagnosed or who have had PD for less than 2 years and their loved ones.
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 10:00 a.m. MST, May 7, 2026

Parkinson General Support Group:

• This support group is open to those with Parkinson disease and their loved ones.
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 10:00 a.m. MST, May 14, 2026

Parkinson General – Under 65 Support Group

• This support group is open to those with Parkinson disease and their loved ones.
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 6:30 p.m. MST, May 13, 2026

Solo PD Support Group:

• This support group is for those with PD who do not have a spouse or Care Partner
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 1:30 p.m. MST, May 14, 2026

Young/Early Onset – Under 55 Support Group:

• This support group is open for those diagnosed Young/Early Onset who are under 55 and their loved ones.
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 7:00 p.m. MST, May 6, 2026

REGULAR PROGRAMS

1:1 One On One Family Support

• By appointment only
• Please email PAA (cl************@******************on.ca) or click the button below to open in Microsoft Outlook

Drop In Speech & Voice Programs:

• Are you looking to enhance your speech and communication abilities? Parkinson’s can affect how loudly and quickly you communicate, so it’s essential to keep our vocal cords active. We provide singing and speech practice groups to assist you in this journey!

Care Partner Support Program:

• This support group is open for those diagnosed Young/Early Onset who are under 55 and their loved ones.
• In person
• $35.00 (PAA members), $44.00 (non PAA members)
• Fridays, May 8 to May 29
• 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Care Partner Q&A – In Person:

• This ones for all of the Care Partners who support and care for their loved one living with Parkinson disease. Take the opportunity to ask the questions you may be hesitant to ask around your loved one in a judgement free zone. And simply learn more about the care partner journey and the resources available to support you.
• In person
• No cost
• 10:00 a.m. MST, May 7, 2026

Care Partner Q&A – Online:

• This ones for all of the Care Partners who support and care for their loved one living with Parkinson disease. Take the opportunity to ask the questions you may be hesitant to ask around your loved one in a judgement free zone. And simply learn more about the care partner journey and the resources available to support you.
• Held online through ZOOM
• No cost
• 10:00 a.m. MST, May 6, 2026

Transition To Care Program:

• This program is for Care Partners with a loved who is in or transitioning into care. Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s does not stop when they begin to require more personalized support, and you are no longer the primary care giver; but it does begin to look and feel different
• Held online through ZOOM
• $20.00 (PAA members), $25.00 (non PAA members)
• Fridays, May 29 to June 19, 2026
• 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. MST

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