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Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers

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For Veterans and Family

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Appointments
Veterans with suspected movement disorders are typically referred to a PADRECC or a Consortium Center by a consult from their VA primary care provider or general neurologist. Please, see our Getting Care page for more information.

If you are a Veteran and are not yet in the Veteran Affairs Healthcare System, print out your VA Welcome Kit and explore Vets.gov to learn about your benefits.  https://www.vets.gov/welcome-to-va/

Parkinson's Disease and Military Exposures
Veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease  or Parkinsonims who served in-country or on the inland waterways of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 are presumed exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides and are eligible for presumptive service-connection. To learn more, about Agent Orange and other military exposures, click these links:

Agent Orange website or call 1-800-749-8387, the Special Health Issues Toll-Free Helpline.

Camp Lejeune past water contamination and Parkinson's disease

VA Military Exposures and Veterans' health concerns pages

WRIISC: War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, may have additional information

Support Groups

Joint Philadelphia & Richmond VA PADRECC

Meetings: 1st Monday of the Month @ 1:00pm-2:00pm EST

Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Gretchen Glenn, email for link information  


San Francisco PADRECC 

Meetings: Third Tuesday of Each Month @ 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm PT

Location: Virtual

Contact:
Annie Li Wong, GNP, MSN, RN,
email for video links

Tel: 415 379 5530

 
Houston PADRECC

Meetings: 1st Thursday of the @ 12:30pm - 1:30pm CT

Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams- Meeting link

Contact: Sally J. Samuel, RN (713) 794-8410

 
West Los Angeles PADRECC / Minneapolis VAMC

Meetings: 3rd Thursday of the Month @ 1:00pm – 2:30pm, CT / 11am-12:30pm PT

Location: Virtual via Webex

Contact: Ilianna Sanchez

612-467-3802

VA Long Beach Health Care System

Meetings: evey other Friday @ 1:00pm – 2:30pm PT

Location: Virtual via VA Video Connect (VVC)

Contact:  Megan Gomez, PhD: 562-706-0740

Northwest PADRECC-Portland

Meetings: 2nd Friday of the month @ 10:00am-11:30pm

Location: VA Portland Health Care System (presently held virtually)

Contact: call to register-- 503-220-8262 x58594

Early Onset Support Group
for people diagnosed before age 50

Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of the month @ 5:30pm EST

Location: Virtual 

Contact:  Jessica Kaplan or 804-675-5931

Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Support Group

Meetings: 3rd Monday of the month @ 10:00 am EST

Location: Virtual 

Contact:  Jessica Kaplan or 804-675-5931

Parkinson's Disease Organizations

Notice: When you click on a links provided below, you will be leaving the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. The VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of any of the links listed below. Please refer to the VA's official disclaimer at: http://www.va.gov/disclaim.htm


Parkinson's Foundation
www.parkinson.org

American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
www.apdaparkinson.org

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
www.michaeljfox.org

Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance
www.pmdalliance.org 

The Parkinson Alliance
www.parkinsonalliance.org

Davis Phinney Foundation
www.davisphinneyfoundation.org

Clinical Trials
www.clinicaltrials.gov

International Essential Tremors Foundation
www.essentialtremor.org

Lewy Body Dementia Association
www.lbda.org

CurePSP
www.psp.org

Man and woman talking with a doctor
Educational Resources

My Parkinson's Story 

My Parkinson's Story on YouTube is a series of short videos addressing various aspects of Parkinson's disease told through the grace of Veterans' stories:   
VA Parkinson's disease playlist on YouTube

  • Early Parkinson's Disease
  • Deep Brain Stimulation and Parkinson's Disease
  • The Impact of Depression in Parkinson's Disease
  • Thinking and Memory Problems with Parkinson's Disease
  • Impact of Falls and Parkinson's Disease
  • Sleep Problems and Parkinson' Disease
  • My Parkinson's Story: ADVANCED PARKINSON'S
  • My Parkinson's Story: DRIVING
  • My Parkinson's Story: EXERCISE
  • My Parkinson's Story: HOSPITALIZATION
  • My Parkinson's Story: IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR
  • My Parkinson's Story: MEDICATIONS
  • My Parkinson's Story: The CAREGIVER
  • My Parkinson's Story: SPEECH and SWALLOWING
  • My Parkinson's Story: GENETICS
  • My Parkinson's Story: ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
  • My Parkinson's Story: ATYPICAL
  • My Parkinson's Story: DYSKINESIAS
  • My Parkinson's Story: PAIN
  • My Parkinson's Story: VISUAL DISTURBANCES
Notice: When you click on a links you will be leaving the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. The VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of any of the links. Please refer to the VA's official disclaimer at: http://www.va.gov/disclaim.htm

Newsletters:

The PADRECCs publish two newsletters to provide clinicians with information on recent developments concerning movement disorders. These newsletters are also available to our patients. Go to our For Professionals page and look for the VA Parkinson Report and the Bi-Monthly Transmitter on the right-hand side.

Patient Education Brochures:

Patient Education Brochures were developed by the PADRECCs to provide patients and families with information on the most common topics concerning Parkinson's disease.

Exercise and Physical Activity

Fall Prevention

Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Agent Orange and Toxic Exposures and Parkinson’s Disease

Suggested Education Essentials:

Suggested Education Essentials for Veterans with Parkinson’s Disease is a document that has been reviewed by the PADRECC Education Committee and includes useful links to resources that provide information on topics such as: Overview of PD, Exercise, Medications, Nutrition, and Organizations. 

Additional Resources:

Notice: When you click on a links provided below, you will be leaving the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. The VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of any of the links listed below. Please refer to the VA's official disclaimer at: http://www.va.gov/disclaim.htm




VHA/PADRECC and the Parkinson's Foundation Partnership-
VHA/PADRECCs and the Parkinson's Foundation launched a formal partnership to combine efforts to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of Veterans living with PD.  Visit the PF website for Veteran specific resources: Veterans & Parkinson's | Parkinson's Foundation

Parkinson's Foundation Digital Resources for Veterans with Parkinson'scollection of digital books, fact sheets, videos, webinars and podcasts 

The Parkinson’s Foundation
 developed a hospital  safety kit called the “Aware in Care” kit to help people with Parkinson’s disease stay safe while in the hospital. To learn more about the Parkinson’s Foundation Hospital Kit and what it means to be “Aware In Care” please call 1-800-4PD.INFO (473-4636) or go online at www.Parkinson.org/AwareinCare   

The Parkinson's Foundation: Medications for Motor Symptoms -comprehensive list of motor medications (not all inclusive) for Parkinson's disease.  Medications: A Treatment Guide to Parkinson's Disease - booklet explaining the type of medications available to manage motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

The Parkinson's Foundation Veteran
Webinar Series:

Veterans and Parkinson’s: Exercise, Nutrition and Wellness (October 2022)

Veterans and Parkinson’s: Mobility and Driving (June 2022)

Understanding PD and Mental Health in the Veteran Community (April 2022)

Veterans and Parkinson’s: A Team Approach to Living Well (Mar. 2022)

Environmental Exposures in Veterans with Parkinson’s (Nov. 2021)

Veterans and Parkinson’s: What You Need to Know (Oct. 2021)
VA Resources

VA Caregiver logo

The VA Caregiver Support Program contains a wealth of resources for caregivers/partners, including self-care and caring for your Veteran. Visit the VA Caregiver Support Program website at www.caregiver.va.gov or call the National Caregiver Support Line, at 1-855-260-3274.

I'm Caring for a Veteran with Parkinson's Disease (PD) -  What do I need to know? Download fact sheet

Connect With Others

Program of General Caregiver Support Services

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Publications and Resources by Topic

Tips and Tools


VA Geriatrics and Extended Care
Has worksheets and handouts for caregivers/partners and Veterans on shared decision-making, well-being and advance care planning, home and community based services, residential settings, and nursing homes. To learn more visit:  https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/index.asp 


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