Conference Features

The aim of this meeting is to ‘develop a dialogue between science and society’ and our objective is to promote international understanding of Parkinson's disease, enabling people living with Parkinson's and their families to draw on best practice for support and treatment, to access the latest medical and surgical advice and make informed choices to achieve the best quality of life possible.

The weekend will be one of many facets.

It will be a time for socialising and enjoyment; taking the opportunity of rekindling old friendships and forging new ones from many countries; sharing information and expertise with each other and interaction with healthcare professionals involved in the management of Parkinson’s.

• Welcome by Sid Rellis, Chairperson of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland and Mary Baker, EPDA President
• Opening by VIP
• Informal dinner with entertainment by Celtic Dance Fusion - a group performing Irish River dancing. (Click here for more information)

• A Welcome by:
  • Sid Rellis, Chairperson of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland
  • Mary Baker, President of the EPDA
  • Svend Andersen, EPDA Younger Person with Parkinson’s Board Member
  • Key Note Speaker: Irish VIP and/or Member of the European Parliament
  • Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease ‘Moving and Shaping’
• The Plenary Session that follows will focus upon issues so relevant in achieving and maintaining a ‘healthy way of life’ when living with a chronic neurological condition and will include:
  • Psychological and Social aspects
  • Sensuality and Sexuality
  • Pregnancy
  • Medication
  • Depression
  • Surgery
  • Stem Cell Research
  • 'Wearing Off’ – Interactive discussion
• Various Workshops led by experts who will provide helpful, practical advice to improve participation in daily life including:
  • Nutrition
  • Strategies for ‘Wearing Off’
  • Carers issues
  • Aromatherapy
  • Water Exercises
• The day’s activities will be brought to a close by:
  • The Workshop Leaders, presenting their findings
  • The launch of the results of the European Participation in Life Survey for younger people with Parkinson’s (diagnosed before the age of 50) that has been carried out in 21 countries.
  • Saturday evening will be a time for enjoyment with good food, laughter and dancing

• Professor Jörn Beckman, Psychologist presenting his self-help book, where people can measure their quality of life based on his research project "The new role of the patient"
• Family Relationships and Children’s’ reactions
• ‘Meet the Experts’ - An open forum and interactive session with members of the multidisciplinary team including:
  • Neurologists
  • PD Nurse Specialists
  • Sex Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Physiotherapist

The conference will close with two fascinating presentations, one by Jonathon Brotchie on future research and a humorous and up beat presentation by Tom Isaacs who was such a success in Lisbon at the EPDA’s multidisciplinary conference in May 2004.