Help could be closer than you think…
Some people may have difficulty coping with Parkinson’s disease. It may be hard for them to ask their doctor questions or talk about their problems with family or friends. A support group may be just the right answer. Many patients have gained encouragement from meeting with others who have Parkinson’s disease. The meetings provide an opportunity to discuss experiences and feelings and to share solutions to common problems.
If travel is difficult or a group does not meet in your area, our Caregiver Forum is one of the best resources available for Parkinson’s disease caregiver support.
The National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) has over 1000 active Support Groups throughout the United States and Canada. Most Groups meet once a month, however some groups meet twice a month or even weekly. Since its inception in 1994, the NPF Support Group Network has had tremendous growth.
Find a support group near you
The NPF has an online form which will allow you to search by zip code for Parkinson resources in your area. In order to find a support group using this form, you must type in “Support Group” in the main search field in order to filter out all the other types of resources in the database.
Click here for Search Form.
There may not be an existing Support Groups in your area. If you are interested in starting a group or just want to find out about events in your area, we encourage you to call the National Parkinson Foundation at 1-800-327-4545 ext. 7697.
Click here for a listing of International Parkinson’s disease Support Groups in Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format.
Help, in one form or another is just a click away
Advanced Family Caregiving
Created by the National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving, this web site provides valuable tips to help caregivers self-identify (a critical first step) and gain resources on a variety of topics such as counseling, training, and how to navigate the healthcare maze. Caregiver support for caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, ALS and related brain disorders.
Caring.com
Founded in 2007, Caring.com provides informative articles, helpful tools, and a comprehensive local directory of caregiving services for those seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. Their mission: to help the helpers. We equip family caregivers to make better decisions, save time and money, and feel less alone – and less stressed – as they face the many challenges of caregiving.
Caregiver.com
A leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers. Founded in 1995, they produce Today’s Caregiver magazine, the first national magazine dedicated to caregivers, the “Sharing Wisdom Caregivers Conferences”, and the web site, caregiver.com which includes topic specific newsletters, online discussion lists, back issue articles of Today’s Caregiver magazine, chat rooms and an online store. Caregiver Media Group and all of it’s products are developed for caregivers, about caregivers and by caregivers.
Davis Phinney Foundation.
The Davis Phinney Foundation was founded in 2004 by Olympic medal-winner and cycling great, Davis Phinney, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000 at the age of 40. Today, Davis is both a role model in the cycling community and an inspiration to the estimated 1.5 million Americans and estimated 10 million worldwide who are currently living with the disease. The Foundation provides supporting programs and research that deliver inspiration, information and tools that will enable people living with Parkinson’s to take more control in managing their disease.
The HollyRod Foundation
Founded in 1997 by NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and actress Holly Robinson Peete in honor of Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson, Jr, the organization is dedicated to providing medical, physical and emotional support to those suffering with Parkinson’s disease. The HollyRod Foundation Web site provides information about Parkinson’s Disease, events, contact information and links to other resources.
Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center (MAPC) is a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence, and a wonderful resource for people with Parkinson’s and their families. Their staff is committed to providing excellence in diagnosis, treatment, research and education for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other movement disorders.
Michigan Parkinson Foundation
Localized education and support to people with Parkinson’s and related disorders, their loved ones and care partners, and the physicians and other allied health professionals who diagnose and treat those affected by the illness. Monthly Care Partner Support Group.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.
National Parkinson Foundation
The NPF has information on Parkinson’s disease including support groups, patient services, disease information, clinical studies, a library, news, events, patient services, other links, and more.
Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation
One of the most active Parkinson’s organizations in the U.S. with an eye on improving the quality of life for those touched by Parkinson’s Disease – patients, families and caregivers.
Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance
Local opportunities for people impacted by Parkinson’s and other movement disorders to learn, live more fully and connect to a support community in Arizona. PMDAlliance does their work through conferences, virtual programs, support group facilitation, and social events. For more information, call (800) 256-0966 or visit their website.
Parkinson’s UK
Primary Parkinson’s support and research charity in the United Kingdom. For more than 40 years they’ve been working to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinsons disease. Parkinson’s UK has an extensive library of publications for physicians, patients and caregivers. To view their publication list, click here.
The Parkinson Alliance
The Parkinson Alliance was formed in January of 1998 with the aid of the National Parkinson’s Foundation. Primarily designed for the Parkinson’s disease patient with information on support groups, news, links to other PWP (people with Parkinson’s) sites, jokes, political developments, and news.