Parkinson's support groups meet in person and online for people with Parkinson's and their caregivers. In-person options include local chapter meetings and classes, while online options include forums and virtual meetups you can join from home. A support group is a regular gathering to share practical advice and support around symptoms, treatment, and daily living. Local and online choices differ in format and focus, so the best fit depends on your needs and schedule.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- Finding local in-person groups
- What in-person groups focus on
- Online forums you can join from home
- How do caregivers find support?
Finding local in-person groups
The Parkinson's Foundation says its chapters connect people with Parkinson's and caregivers to local support groups, wellness classes, and education programs searchable by state through Find Your Chapter. Contacting a chapter can help you find meeting times, locations, and current class schedules.
The Parkinson's Foundation also offers its Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or [email protected] for information and referrals to nearby groups and chapter services, according to Find Your Chapter. This is a practical starting point if an online directory feels hard to sort through.
What in-person groups focus on
Many local groups are organized around shared situations, not just general Parkinson's topics. The American Parkinson Disease Association says its local chapters list general, caregiver, women's, young-onset, and newly diagnosed groups in person and on Zoom, according to Illinois support groups.
Facilitation matters for comfort and consistency. The American Parkinson Disease Association describes its Illinois groups as led by trained facilitators, according to the same Illinois support groups. If you are comparing groups, ask who leads meetings and whether the group is open discussion, educational, or both.
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Online forums you can join from home
Online groups remove travel and can make it easier to join regularly. The Parkinson's Foundation says its PD Conversations site is a free online community with eight discussion groups for newly diagnosed people, symptoms, treatment, daily living, caregiving, young-onset, Spanish-language members, and general topics, according to its online community page. Other national groups host their own online communities.
The American Parkinson Disease Association says it partners with Smart Patients to run a free online forum for people with Parkinson's, care partners, and families to share advice on treatments, symptoms, and side effects. The Michael J. Fox Foundation says its Parkinson's Buddy Network is a free online community for people with Parkinson's, loved ones, and caregivers to build connections and access educational resources.
How do caregivers find support?
Care partners have dedicated options separate from general groups. The Davis Phinney Foundation hosts a monthly virtual Care Partner Meetup, normally the first Tuesday, for care partners to discuss concerns and challenges.
Veterans and families have another path with an eligibility step. VA PADRECC sites host virtual Parkinson's caregiver support groups but generally require enrollment in the VA Caregiver Support Program. Check the program requirement before planning to attend, and consider a chapter caregiver group or online caregiving forum if it does not apply.
- Identify your priority: your own symptoms, new diagnosis, young-onset, or caregiving
- Search a chapter directory by state for local meetings and classes
- Contact the Helpline for a referral when listings are unclear
- Confirm format, schedule, facilitator, and whether visitors may observe first
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