Approximately 4 000 participants from 40 countries attended the congress. The congress had a grant that PhD students could apply for, which she received. That covered the registration fee and four hotel nights.
On the first day, Annicka Appelberg led a session in the Care Partner Lounge entitled "Meaningful Activities and Occupational Balance – Caring for Myself to Be Able to Care for Others". During the session, she discussed occupational balance and highlighted the importance of rest, leisure, and engaging in enjoyable activities.
– One key takeaway was – rest before you feel too tired. It is not about managing to do everything; it is about doing enough and ensuring that you have sufficient energy. Looking after yourself means taking time to recharge, says Annicka Appelberg.
Rest before you feel too tired.
On the second day, Annicka presented a poster that was also selected through a competitive process for a guided poster tour. The poster, entitled "Patients’ Needs and Wishes for Information Across the Trajectory of Parkinson’s Disease: A Descriptive Qualitative Study," highlighted that people with Parkinson’s disease in Sweden emphasize the need for timely, tailored, and accessible information to support self-management.
Combine professional expertise with lived experience
The study suggests that educational interventions should integrate both medical and practical aspects of living with Parkinson’s disease, including peer perspectives, and be delivered continuously throughout the disease trajectory.
– A person-centered and flexible approach can empower people with Parkinson’s disease, enhance self-efficacy, improve quality of life, and reduce strain on healthcare systems. Therefore, the study proposes exploring co-created educational resources that combine professional expertise with lived experience, as well as evaluating their impact on patient outcomes, Appelberg continues.
For her, the congress provided valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, networking and new friendships with healthcare professionals, including PhD students, care partners, and people with Parkinson’s disease.
The 8th World Parkinson Congress will be held in Québec City, Canada, in 2029.