Cultivating Compassion Education Series December Gatherings

Cultivating Compassion Education Series February Gatherings What Happens If I Can No Longer Eat? Medical Nutrition for Those Living with ALS presented by David Seres, MD, former Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center Sunday, February 22, 2026 1:00 p.m. ET David Seres, MD, has been a medical nutrition specialist for 35 years, and recently retired as Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, NY. He is an internationally recognized expert at providing nutrition support for patients with ALS, and many other conditions when eating is no longer possible, as well as a medical ethicist. He will review the different options for nutrition support, especially feeding with a tube, for people with ALS. His talk will review the timing and decision-making process for choosing whether and when to receive tube feeding, and by which route. Included will be a discussion of the efficacy of tube feeding, as well as some of the risks associated with the tubes that are used.  Register Monthly Gatherings Beyond ALS February 5, 6:30pm ET Join a welcoming group of men and women who have lost a loved one to ALS. Share openly with others who are rebuilding their lives after profound loss. This interactive gathering will highlight where we are now and what may feel different: our identity, our values, our approach to spirituality, and more. We will listen deeply to each other’s stories about the new experiences of building relationships, contentment with solitude, or challenges as a single parent. But, most importantly, come to enjoy and appreciate the company of others who have come to experience the precious nature of human life. Register Trauma Healing February 11, 7:00pm ET Julie Yau, Ph.D., SEP, will be hosting a monthly gathering for our community focused on trauma awareness and healing. Dr. Julie is the Trauma and Spiritual Care Liaison for CCALS. We have long recognized how traumatic an ALS diagnosis is, and the continuing challenges and trauma that can arise while living with ALS. Dr. Julie is a renowned trauma specialist and author of the powerful trauma healing book, "The Body Awareness Workbook for Trauma." Register Caregiver to Caregiver February 12, 3:00pm ET Join the informal gathering designed to offer genuine support for those engaged in ALS caregiving. Enjoy the opportunity to be with other folks who have an intimate understanding of ALS and share your unique point of view as a caregiver. It is truly a meaningful experience to sit in council with ALS caregivers, to practice heart-centered listening, bear witness to our journeys and those of others, and to support and be supported without judgment. Register Sons and Daughters of ALS Guided by Ron Hoffman, CCALS Founder February 12, 7:00pm ET Sons and Daughters of ALS, hosted by CCALS Founder and Director, Ron Hoffman, is designed for those 18 years to 30- somethings who have experienced a parent, or close loved one, struggling from symptoms, diagnosis, decline or death with ALS. Growing up with the intensity and complexity of ALS in our family can shake us to the very core. It is often hard to comprehend or describe the ways that this disease shapes our past, present and future. If you are living with, or have lived with, the impact of a parent with ALS, you are invited to join our zoom gathering for Sons and Daughters of ALS. With deep listening, in the company of others who know the similarity of the uninvited path of having a parent with ALS, we will gather in council to share our experiences with the broad motivation to bring heartfelt connection, awareness and healing. Register Men of ALS Guided by Ron Hoffman, CCALS Founder February 19, 2:00pm ET Join us for a time of brotherhood and belonging for men living with ALS, or men caring for someone with the disease. This group operates as a council circle that encourages deep listening, acceptance, and an invitation to be genuine about what is going on in your life. Register Women of ALS February 19, 3:00pm ET Enjoy the connection and unique perspective of other women living with ALS, female caregivers of persons living with ALS, daughters of those with ALS, or any woman touched by the disease. We will gather in council to share our experiences with the broad motivation to bring heartfelt connections and healing to the ALS journey. The Women of ALS gatherings create a safe space to explore the rich feminine perspective on lineage, sexuality, the role as caregiver, and the experience of compassion. Register Mothers of ALS February 23, 1:00pm ET CCALS offers this informal gathering specifically for mothers who have been impacted by ALS. This disease shines a unique and challenging spotlight on the relationships between mothers and their children. We will join with each other in council to listen deeply and bear witness to our experiences as we connect and discover new pathways through the intensity of an ALS experience. Register Contact James@ccals.org with any questions. Share This Email   Share This Email   Share This Email Tax ID # 04-3567819 Compassionate Care ALS | PO Box 1052 | West Falmouth, MA 02574 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

Parkinson's Fitness Ability-based Exercise, Arts and Movement Programs

February Newsletter & Class Schedule 2/2 - 2/8 Dear Friends: Holy Moley that was a lot of snow! Hopefully you have used some of our videos and found ways to make sure you move your body every day. We were impressed how many folks made it out to our in-person classes this past week. As always, when in doubt, phone our hosting senior centers to find out if they are open and operating classes during this unpredictable weather season. Thank you! Linda Click to Donate to Parkinson's Fitness In-Person Parkinson's Fitness Classes This list details our in-person classes. Click on the underlined address to access a map and directions. Look to the blue box under this section for links to our Zoom and recorded classes.  Mondays at 10am In-Person Strength with Kim at Marblehead Council on Aging, 10 Humphrey Street in Marblehead. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 781-631-6225 ------------------- Wednesdays at 11am In-Person Strength with Kim at Marblehead Council on Aging, 10 Humphrey Street in Marblehead. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 781-631-6225 ------------------- Thursdays at 11am In-Person Balance in Motion Class with Dianna at MAGMA (Movement Arts Gloucester), 186 Main Street in Gloucester. To confirm class will be held, please call Dianna at 857-488-7880. ------------------- Thursdays at 1:20pm In-Person Strength with Kim at Salem Council on Aging, 401 Bridge Street in Salem. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 978-744-0924. ------------------- Fridays at 10:30am In-Person Balance and Strength Class with Sally at Lynnfield Council on Aging, 525 Salem Street in Lynnfield. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 781-598-1078. ------------------- Fridays at 1pm In-Person and Also on Zoom Balance in Motion Class with Dianna at Danvers Council on Aging, 25 Stone Street in Danvers. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 978-762-0208.  Can't make it in? Join from home with this link: Click Here Meeting ID: 824 0247 5688. Passcode: 12345 Parkinson's Fitness At Home Exercise Try these pre-taped classes that you can do at home at any time. Do what feels best for your body and clear the area around you so your arms and legs can move freely. Drink plenty of water. All times listed are US Eastern Standard Time. Click here to convert to your time zone. Tuesday at 1pm Balance in Motion with Dianna on Zoom Click Here Meeting ID: 824 0247 5688 Passcode: 12345 ------------------- Wednesday at 1pm Breathe and Stretch Yoga with Dianna Click Here Meeting ID: 818 8748 2663 Passcode: 12345 ------------------- Friday at 1pm Balance in Motion with Dianna on Zoom Click Here Meeting ID: 824 0247 5688 Passcode: 12345 -------------------  Looking for More Workouts? Try one of our Recorded Video Classes  Click for Dianna’s channel of videos Click for a recorded workout with Kim Click to access Parkinson's Foundation Fitness Friday videos  News, Articles, & More Webinar: Wednesday, February 4th at 1pm: Living Well Today: Beyond Medications: Living Well with Parkinson’s in the Middle and Late Stages The middle and late stages of Parkinson’s bring challenges that go far beyond movement. This Davis Phinney Foundation's February Live Well Today webinar will feature Dr. Indu Subramanian, MD. Explore a wellness prescription approach that focuses on adaptation, resilience, and quality of life, even as Parkinson’s progresses. Click to Register. Webinar: Thursday, February 19th at 12pm: In This Together: Care Partnership and Parkinson’s Parkinson’s affects more than the person living with the disease: It also impacts their closest loved ones supporting them in daily life. In this Third Thursdays Webinar, hear from our expert panel, including a person living with PD and care partners, as they discuss approaches to decision-making about care and share strategies to keep a partnership resilient as needs and symptoms change. Join us to ask your questions live and be among the first to access to our new guide on care partnership and Parkinson’s. Click to Register. Webinar Course: begins Tuesday, February 10th: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Stress is common in Parkinson’s. If you’re experiencing stress, you may benefit from the Brian Grant Foundation Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. Decades of published research shows that those who complete the course report reductions in pain, fatigue, anxiety and sleep disturbance and an overall increase in quality of life. The 8-week MBSR course meets online for two hours every Tuesday from 12pm-2pm, February 3 through March 31 (skipping March 10). Classes include meditation instruction and practice, group discussions and educational presentations on the relationships between mindfulness, stress, and wellness. Classes may include very gentle yoga postures. The cost to cover the fee for the course instructor is $160/person. However subsidized tuition is available in the ticket options. Please pay what you can to help us provide this course at an affordable rate to everyone in our community. Click to Register. Save the Date for our Next Support Group: Friday, February 13th We hope you can join us at the Danvers Council on Aging as Ray James is joined by Amy Karas for our next support group. They are planning a discussion on cognitive-communication challenges in Parkinson’s disease. We’ll address common myths, real-world challenges, and practical strategies to support confidence, independence, and everyday communication.  Amy Karas, SLP, brings nearly 30 years of experience supporting individuals with speech, language, cognitive, voice, swallowing, and communication challenges. Her highly individualized, functionally based approach matches each person’s goals, needs, and strengths with custom, evidence-based strategies that promote independence and real-life carryover. Through her private practice, Amy offers skilled therapy, cognitive-communication and voice groups, healthy aging workshops, and consulting services. Video to Watch: Ask the MD: How Does Stress Affect Parkinson’s?  Stress is a normal part of life, but consistent or chronic stress can negatively affect health. For people living with Parkinson’s disease, stress can worsen symptoms like tremor or stiffness and make medication less effective. In our new video, Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, discusses the impacts of stress on the body and shares practical tips for stress relief.  Click to Watch. Parkinson's Fitness | 46 Brittania Circle | Salem, MA 01970 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice