Four health organizations will host a free Parkinson's disease conference conducted entirely in Chinese on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Livingston Senior/Community Center.

The Livingston Health Department, the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and the Columbia University Department of Neurology are co-hosting the half-day event, according to the West Essex Tribune. It runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Tahaney Rooms 2 and 3 at 204 Hillside Ave.

All sessions will be in Chinese.

Three specialists will present on Parkinson's basics, healthy aging, brain health and the latest research. The speakers, listed on the event flyer posted by the township, are:

  • Rongyi Sun, MD, a Columbia Neurology resident and movement disorders fellow at Mount Sinai
  • Xianjun Dong, PhD, associate professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine
  • Elaine Zhai, DO, an internal medicine and primary care physician at RWJBarnabas Health Center for Asian Health

Beyond the presentations, the agenda includes a dance session for people with Parkinson's disease, a live question-and-answer session in Chinese and a free lunch. The flyer also lists "Lunch & Connection" as a distinct block, giving attendees time to meet others in the Parkinson's community.

Livingston has a sizable Chinese-speaking population. The Livingston Chinese Association, which has been active in the township for more than five decades, works to connect Chinese residents through cultural events and civic engagement, according to a submission the group's president, Xiaoshan He, made to the West Essex Tribune in July.

Registration is available online at apda.link/conference. Residents with questions can contact Elvin Yao at the APDA at [email protected] or 718-702-2167.

Livingston already hosts a Parkinson's Support Group at the same Senior/Community Center on the first and third Thursday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. That group is open to people with Parkinson's, care partners, family and friends, according to the township's calendar. It offers emotional support, practical resources and guest speakers.

Upcoming community events:

  • Nov. 5: Parkinson's Support Group, 10 a.m., Livingston Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Ave.
  • Nov. 12: Parkinson's Disease and Healthy Brain Aging Conference (in Chinese), 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Livingston Senior/Community Center
  • Nov. 19: Parkinson's Support Group, 10 a.m., Livingston Senior/Community Center