On May 13, 2025, the Parkinson Association of Alabama held its annual Moving Forward: South Alabama Parkinson Patient Conference at the Daphne Civic Center. The event ran from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, welcoming individuals with Parkinson’s disease, caregivers, and health professionals for an enriching day of education and community support.
Among the featured speakers, Kelly Cantrell, SLP of Empowered Speech Pathology, delivered “Hooray for Caregivers!”—a presentation on caregiving strategies tailored for patients navigating Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers.
Topic: Caregiving in Parkinson’s Disease
Kelly’s session was scheduled at 1:00 PM, where she addressed:
- Practical communication tips for caregivers
- Techniques to support cognitive-communication changes
- Ways to foster daily safety and social engagement through speech therapy strategies
Her presentation offered valuable insights for both professional care teams and family members supporting loved ones with Parkinson’s.
Conference Overview
The Moving Forward conference featured a broad line-up of speakers and sessions, including:
- Neurology, pharmaceuticals, physical therapy, low-voltage stimulation, and more
- Presentations by partners like Christina Bond, PharmD, Jack Shelley-Tremblay, Ph.D., Julie Kellen, PT, Dr. Daniel Dees, and others
- Opportunities for community connection, clinical updates, and resource-sharing across all aspects of Parkinson’s care
This free conference brought Alabama’s Parkinson’s community together to learn, ask questions, and find new resources—emphasizing that early intervention and education are pillars of empowering individuals managing this condition.
Why Kelly Cantrell’s Contribution Matters
Kelly Cantrell’s session stood out for its focus on communication as a caregiving tool. She underscored how subtle adjustments in language and interaction can:
- Reduce confusion and frustration for both patients and caregivers
- Improve routine safety and memory support
- Strengthen relational engagement between caregivers and loved ones
By highlighting speech-language strategies in caregiving, Kelly expanded the conversation around Parkinson’s from medical and physical interventions to include communication-centered support—an essential and often overlooked component.
Looking Forward
The Moving Forward conference continues to be a cornerstone event in Alabama, offering:
- Up-to-date clinical information
- Hope and connection for families
- Actionable strategies to enhance quality of life
Kelly Cantrell’s caregiving session contributed significantly to this mission—demonstrating that speech-language therapy plays a critical role in the holistic care of individuals with Parkinson’s.