Parkinson Disease Bootcamp: An Education Program for Individuals With Parkinson Disease and Their Families

Abstract

Purpose A strong social support system for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) and their families often include awareness of existing resources, involvement in the community, and access to supportive relationships. Community-based education programs are one such avenue for building a strong social support system and improving the quality of life of people with PD and their family members. This viewpoint article presents the conceptualization and efficacy of a 3-day multidisciplinary educational program for individuals with PD and their families. Method A total of 52 people attended the event, including individuals with PD and their family members. The 3-day event included presentations by different health care professionals and activities aimed to increase the knowledge of individuals with PD and their families regarding possible effects of PD and available resources within the local community. Results A vast majority of participants shared extremely positive responses and expressed a strong interest in attending similar events in the future. Conclusion The success of the educational program led to new partnerships and the creation of community-based programs for individuals with PD and their families.