A senior man in a wheelchair smiles as his grandson runs up to him.

About ACT-PD

ACT-PD stands for Advanced Care Team for Parkinson’s

We are a multidisciplinary team focused on treating complex needs. Specifically in the families affected by: 

Learn more about symptoms, treatments, and connect with a supportive Parkinson’s community at Parkinson Canada and Parkinson's Association of Alberta.

Discover symptoms, treatments, and connect with others facing Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) at Mission MSA or Atypical Parkinsonisms - Parkinson Canada.

Navigate symptoms, treatments, and connect with a compassionate community for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) at PSP Society Canada or at CurePSP or Atypical Parkinsonisms - Parkinson Canada.

Cope with symptoms, treatments, and connect with a caring community for Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) at Lewy Body Dementia Canada or Atypical Parkinsonisms - Parkinson Canada.
 

Deal with symptoms, treatments, and connect with a community that understands Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS) at Atypical Parkinsonisms - Parkinson Canada or at CurePSP.

What is Advanced Care?

Advanced Care aims to support people who have a progression in their symptoms. You may be having more difficulty doing daily tasks, and needing more help than you used to. Our goal is to learn what your strengths and struggles are so that we can help you fill in the gaps. We want to give you control and choice in how you want to improve your well-being. We will provide advice and support for you and your care partners while planning for the future, including advanced planning and end-of-life decisions.

As time goes on, new needs and concerns may develop. ACT-PD is here to help you prepare and to support you through these changes.

A senior man and woman walk outside, arm in arm, smiling and talking.

Our goal

Our goal is to support you and your family with better management of your complex symptoms and needs. 

Our hope is to assist you physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. We want to help you live well and have peace of mind now and for what lies ahead. 

Our expected outcome is quality of life during the late stages of your disease.

They care about us in every way

We really appreciate ACT’s help. They helped us sign some very important documents such as a will, Personal Directive, Enduring Power of Attorney and so on. They contacted Home Care to help us. They recommended to use Thickener for preventing choke. They monitor medication use and adjust all the time. They care about us in every way.

– ACT-PD care partner

How does the program work?

The program works by providing integral care to the person with Parkinson and their support system, including family and surrounding community. It will be additional to your current care, not replace your healthcare providers. The multidisciplinary team will assist you to identify your most pressing concerns and will help you work to alleviate or provide resources to address them.

What to expect?

  1. You will be referred by your neurologist to our team.
  2. We will reach out to assess your current concerns, and make an appointment to come to the clinic or be seen virtually.
  3. On the day of your appointment, you and your care partners will see the whole team! Your needs and concerns will be addressed for approximately 2 hours.
  4. Follow-up calls will be arranged and you will be seen again by the team every 3 months.
  5. Continuous communication within the 3 months. You have a direct line of communication by phone and/or email to ensure you are being supported thoroughly.

They go above & beyond

Every service provided by the care team has been exceptional. They go above & beyond to make sure [Patient] is well taken care of. I wish we had this service when she was first diagnosed.

– ACT-PD care partner