Together in Care: Insights from the Development, Implementation and Evaluation of Multidisciplinary, Self-management Interventions for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and Care Partners 1191

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: ROOM: Continental A Ballroom DIRECTIONS Lobby Level: From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed right toward the Fed Ex office. At the Fed Ex Office, turn right and proceed past the ACRM registration desk to the Continental Foyer and Ballroom.

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Olivia SJ Crozier, BHSc, PhD (c)

PhD Candidate
Western University
London, ON, Canada

Slides Slides

Presenter(s)

Jeff Holmes, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.) (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
Western University
London, ON, Canada

Non-Presenting Contributor(s)

Jacobi Elliott, PhD

Director, Research & Strategy
St. Joseph's Health Care London
London, Ontario, Canada
Dalton L. Wolfe, PhD (he/him/his)

Scientist
Lawson Research Institute
London, Ontario, Canada
Janelle Unger, PT, PhD (she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada
Liliana Alvarez, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Associate Director - Graduate Chair and Associate Professor
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada
Kelsey Lee, BSc, PhD (c)

PhD Candidate
Western University
London, ON, Canada
Swati Mehta, PhD

Scientist, Reg. Psychotherapist
Lawson Research Institute
London, Ontario, Canada
Blake Dear, PhD

Professor
Macquarie University
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This symposium presents findings from a multi-phase research initiative focused on improving support for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their care partners through dyadic self-management models. While most programs focus only on the individual with Parkinson’s, this project recognizes the vital role of care partners, often spouses and the challenges they face, including stress, isolation, and limited access to support. Through interviews with care partners, including a focused exploration of male care partner experiences, the team identified key support needs and gaps in current systems. A rigorous scoping review of 34 international programs revealed limited caregiver involvement, especially in Canadian contexts. In collaboration with Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario and healthcare partners at a local rehabilitation institute, a revised program was developed that emphasizes shared goal setting, flexible delivery, and relationship centered care. Grounded in implementation science, this work offers practical strategies to create inclusive and sustainable models of support and strengthen healthcare systems for those affected by Parkinson’s Disease.

Learning Objectives:

Analyze the unique challenges and unmet needs experienced by care partners of individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, based on recent qualitative findings.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current self-management programs with a focus on how care partners are involved in their design and delivery.
Apply principles of implementation science to help design or adapt care partner-inclusive, dyadic self-management interventions in clinical or community settings.