Finding Support for Parkinson’s Disease
Help may be closer than you think.
Coping with Parkinson’s disease can be challenging for both patients and caregivers. It’s not always easy to ask doctors the right questions or discuss struggles with family and friends. Support groups provide a safe space to connect with others facing similar challenges, share experiences, and discover helpful solutions.
Why Join a Support Group?
- Gain emotional encouragement from others who understand
- Learn practical caregiving strategies and medical insights
- Discuss challenges and share solutions in a supportive setting
- Reduce feelings of isolation and stress
If travel is difficult or an in-person group isn’t available in your area, our Caregiver Forum offers a valuable online resource for connecting with other Parkinson’s caregivers.
National Parkinson’s Support Groups
The National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) supports over 1,000 active groups across the U.S. and Canada. Most meet monthly, while some offer bi-weekly or weekly sessions. Since its inception in 1994, the NPF Support Group Network has grown tremendously, providing crucial support for Parkinson’s patients and caregivers alike.
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.
Parkinson’s Support Organizations
Many national organizations provide valuable resources, support groups, and educational materials for Parkinson’s patients and caregivers. Below are some of the most recognized organizations:
1. Parkinson’s Foundation
Website: www.parkinson.org
Offers local support groups, educational resources, and access to specialists through its Centers of Excellence program.
2. Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Website: www.michaeljfox.org
Focuses on funding research for a cure while providing community resources and advocacy initiatives.
3. American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Website: www.apdaparkinson.org
Provides nationwide support services, local chapters, and programs to help individuals manage Parkinson’s.
4. Davis Phinney Foundation
Website: www.davisphinneyfoundation.org
Emphasizes living well with Parkinson’s by offering practical tools, webinars, and exercise programs.
5. Family Caregiver Alliance
Website: www.caregiver.org
The Family Caregiver Alliance strives to improve the quality of the life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. They provide many resources in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
6. Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO)
Website: www.parkinsonsresource.org
A nonprofit dedicated to connecting patients and caregivers with medical, emotional, and financial resources.
7. Advanced Family Caregiving
Website: www.caregiving.org
Caregiver support for caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, ALS and related brain disorders.
8. Caring.com
Website: www.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.
9. Caregiver.com
Website: www.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.
10. The HollyRod Foundation
Website: www.hollyrod.org
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.
11. Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
Website: www.barrowneuro.org
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.
12. Michigan Parkinson Foundation
Website: www.parkinsonsmi.org
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.
13. Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation
Website: www.nwpf.org
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.
14. Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance
Website: www.pmdalliance.org
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.
15. The Parkinson Alliance
Website: www.parkinsonalliance.org
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.
International Resources
New Zealand:
Parkinson’s New Zealand
Website: parkinsons.org.nz
Offers high-quality information, education, and support for individuals with Parkinson’s and related conditions across New Zealand.
Australia:
Parkinson’s Australia
Website: parkinsons.org.au
Aims to improve the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s through national advocacy, connection, and awareness initiatives.
Fight Parkinson’s
Website: fightparkinsons.org.au
Provides specialized health information, advice, and services to support people living with Parkinson’s, their families, and carers.
United Kingdom:
Parkinson’s UK
Website: parkinsons.org
Offers free and confidential information and support through a helpline, as well as resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
