PPA Virtual Conference: March 26, 2021

The conference begins at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time (10:00 a.m. EDT and 7:00 a.m. PDT) when attendees will hear from PPA experts, including M. Marsel Mesulam, M.D., who first named the syndrome. The morning presentations are for all attendees and will cover the history of PPA, the current state of research and clinical practice, and perspectives of those living with PPA. Keynote speakers will provide answers to relevant questions during a Q&A Panel session.

In the afternoon, persons diagnosed with a PPA and their families can attend support groups, while professionals will hear from a panel that includes a neurologist, social worker, speech-language pathologist, and neuropsychologist.

The dedicated professional session titled “Person and Family-Centered Care in PPA” will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. CDT. This session will center around two case presentations and a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and intervention in PPA.

Cost is $40 per person for individuals diagnosed with PPA and their family members. The cost is $65 per person for professionals. Scholarships for families are available by emailing  PPAconference@northwestern.edu for more information.

Zoom links will be emailed to registrants closer to the conference date.

Schedule of Events (All times are in Central Time)

• 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote Addresses
  Presenters include M. Marsel Mesulam, M.D., Emily Rogalski, Ph.D., Darby Morhardt, Ph.D., LCSW, Persons living with PPA, Family Members
• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Q&A Panel
  Panel members will include M. Marsel Mesulam, M.D., Emily Rogalski, Ph.D., Darby Morhardt, Ph.D., LCSW, Persons living with PPA, Family Members
• 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Professional Session
  Presenters include Borna Bonakdarpour, M.D., Darby Morhardt, Ph.D., LCSW, Angela Roberts, Ph.D., Sandra Weintraub, Ph.D., Persons living with PPA, Family Members
• 2:00 – 4:45 p.m. Support Groups
  There will be two different time options with separate sessions will be held for persons diagnosed with PPA and for caregivers and family members.

Support Groups

The support sessions provide an opportunity to connect with others. There are two time options offered to attend a support group whether you are a person diagnosed with PPA or a family member. These are separate groups. During registration, please pick only one support group.

All participants must be able to engage in group conversation independently. The groups are not meant for couples to attend together. Attendees can pick one time and one topic from the following:

• Session 1: 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
• Session 2: 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

For persons living with PPA

• Living with PPA
  This support group is an opportunity for people living with a diagnosis of PPA to share experiences.

For care partners and family members

• Doctor Thinks It’s PPA, Now What? 
  This support group is an opportunity for care partners of people recently diagnosed with PPA to ask questions, receive support, and share supportive resources.
• Planning for the Future: What's Next? 
  This support group is an opportunity for care partners to discuss topics related to care planning throughout the progression of PPA.
• Living with Advanced PPA 
  This support group is an opportunity for care partners to connect with each other around the advanced stages of PPA, including a discussion of advance care planning, palliative care and hospice.

Conference sponsors include:

• Dutton Casey & Mesoloras P.C.
• Peck Ritchey, LLC
• Alzheimer’s Association
• CJE SeniorLife
• Care Patrol
• Home Instead
• Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
• Chicago Methodist Senior Services

The Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease is part of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.