APDA Massachusetts Chapter

We’re thankful to highlight a new Parkinson’s support group in Bedford hosted by BAYADA Home Health Care in partnership with The Residence at Bedford - Bedford, MA
📍 240 South Road - Bedford, MA
🕑 4th Tuesday monthly | 10:00–11:00 AM
Open to individuals with Parkinson’s, family, and care partners. Do not need to be a resident of The Residence at Bedford to join.
Contact: Shannon Powers, BAYADA Program Manager
📧 [email protected]

Happy ! 💪 Looking for a new Parkinson's program? Join APDA and BAYADA Home Health Care on 5/5 at The Residence at Bedford - Bedford, MA to explore their new Parkinson's B-STEADY Fitness Class. Open to the public!
📅 Date: Tuesday, May 5
🕙 Time: 1:00 - 2:00PM
📍 Location: 240 South Road, Bedford, MA
➡️ RSVP by Monday, May 4: #781-226-2001 or [email protected]

💌 Want the latest Parkinson’s resources, events & support—right in your inbox?

Join the APDA MA mailing list and stay connected to a community that’s here for you every step of the way.

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Tap the link to sign up!
🔗 https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/massachusetts/resources-support-ma/add-me-to-the-ma-mailing-list/

𝑶𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓'𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅, Debra Rudnick Ellis! We invite the community to join us on Sunday, May 17 as we recognize Debra as part of the APDA 2026 Massachusetts Optimism Walk for Parkinson's. (Register: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026-parkinsons-walk-apda-boston-ma/)

Named after NHL Shawn Thornton, this award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the Parkinson’s community. Debra is a clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy based in Western Massachusetts and a dedicated advocate for people living with Parkinson’s across the state. She provides individualized, evidence-based care and leads group exercise programming for individuals with PD. Since 2009, she has coordinated a six-week exercise program developed at the Boston University Center for Neurologic Rehabilitation for community-dwelling individuals with Parkinson’s. She has also played a key role in developing community-based exercise programs at local YMCAs and has served as an APDA Massachusetts Chapter Advisor and Board Member since 2021.

In addition, she is an active member of the APDA Massachusetts Optimism Walk Committee, organizing a large annual team – 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 - from Western Massachusetts and coordinating transportation to ensure participation. Debra also facilitates a monthly support group for individuals with young onset PD and provides guidance and training to local clinicians serving the Parkinson’s community.

Debra’s dedication and steadfast support have made her an invaluable member of the APDA community and the broader Parkinson’s community. She embodies the spirit of the Shawn Thornton Service Award through her commitment to service, compassion, and leadership, bringing hope, connection, and meaningful support to individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease.

Shawn Thornton Foundation

Join us 𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 4/29 for the Caring for the Caregiver Webinar Series!
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 29
🕙 Time: 12:00 - 1:00PM
📍 Location: Virtual
➡️ REGISTER: https://bit.ly/April2026CaregiverWebinar

Join us 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 4/29 for the Age in Place Resource Fair in Belmont!
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 29
🕙 Time: 4:00 - 6:00PM
📍 Location: Beech Street Center (266 Beech St. - Belmont, MA)

💙

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲? 𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Join us for the next episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, where APDA’s own Dr. Gilbert will spend the entire program answering your questions - covering everything from diagnosis and symptoms to treatments and care teams.

📅 Wednesday, April 29
🕐 1:00 PM ET
📍 Live Online Broadcast
👉 Register today: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/events/dr-gilbert-hosts-ask-the-doctor-anything-2/

Join us 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 4/29 at Encompass Health in Woburn!
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 29
🕙 Time: 12:00 - 2:00PM
📍 Location: Encompass Health (2 Rehabilitation Way - Woburn, MA)

𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀! 💪

Recently, our chapter staff - joined by APDA MA board member Gail Achin - put in the work organizing and inventorying our storage unit ahead of the Massachusetts Optimism Walk for Parkinson's. It takes teamwork (and some heavy lifting!) to get event-ready.

All that effort helps make this event a success - and you won’t want to miss the 40th Annual Walk!
👟 Register today: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026-parkinsons-walk-apda-boston-ma/

Stay connected. Stay informed. 💙

Join the APDA Massachusetts Chapter mailing list and be the first to hear about local programs, support groups, events, and the latest Parkinson’s resources - delivered right to your inbox.

👉 Sign up here: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/massachusetts/resources-support-ma/add-me-to-the-ma-mailing-list/