What are Parkinson’s support groups?
Parkinson’s support groups are a gathering of people with common experiences or concerns who provide each other with encouragement, comfort, and advice. Support groups are also a place to give and receive emotional and practical support to others who are in the same situation. Parkinson’s support group meetings provide you with a chance to:
Share information about medical diagnosis, treatments, research, and strategies; Talk about your feelings and receive confirmation that there are others dealing with the same challenges; Compare common symptoms and ways that each person has handled the symptoms; Discuss issues that are unique to care partners and family members of people with Parkinson’s disease; and Learn from expert speaker presentations.
Parkinson Association of the Carolinas Virtual Support Group!
On the first Wednesday of every month at 2:00 PM, we invite everyone from our community to join us for Virtual Support Groups for FREE via Zoom! Whether you are a person with Parkinson’s disease, a family member or friend, a caregiver, community member, or industry leader, we want to help you to be proactive about your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
You can also find documents, videos, blogs, tips, and much more toward the bottom of this page.
Upcoming Virtual Support Group Sessions
Topic: Driving with PD
Date: Wednesday, January 3rd, at 2:00 PM
Presenter: Melissa Werz, OTD, OTR/L, CDRS, Occupational Therapist, Duke University Health System
Past Virtual Support Group Sessions
Miss a session? Check out our YouTube channel to tune into a past Virtual Support Group presentation.
Parkinson’s Support Group
Please contact a PAC team member for more information on support groups including contact information and the current status at (980) 245-2786.
If you would like to submit your support group for public listing or would like to submit changes to a listed support group, please contact pac@parkinsonassociation.org.
Why join a Parkinson’s support group?
People who have been through, or are going through, a similar circumstance can do more than sympathize with you — they can relate to your situation and keep you from feeling like you are alone. Support group members offer firsthand insight into many aspects of navigating the disease.
For some people, the most difficult step is walking through the door, but most find that once they make the decision, the experience is helpful and supportive. Remember, a support group is not a substitute for medical treatment or professional counseling and it is not a replacement for family and friends.
When do support groups meet?
Support group meetings are typically held once a month. Some groups may choose to meet more frequently or less often depending on the needs of the group. The meeting is set by the group leader in the initial planning stages.
If the existing groups in your area are not convenient for you, you may want to contact our Program Director to see about starting a new group.
What can PAC do to help a Parkinson’s support group?
PAC strives to provide group leaders with ongoing support to design and facilitate meetings that are in line with participants’ expectations and needs. Whether you’re starting a new group, transitioning to a leadership role, or need to refresh your meetings, PAC is here to help. PAC also maintains a list of individuals and organizations that are willing to speak to support groups on the challenges patients encounter during their journey.
The Parkinson Association of the Carolinas helps to support nearly 90 volunteer-led support groups throughout North and South Carolina. For assistance, please contact the Program Director, Ke’yana Hatfield, at 980-245-2786 or pac@parkinsonassociation.org.
PAC’s Speakers Bureau
We are always seeking community partners in North and South Carolina to join our Speaker’s Bureau. Our guest speakers host presentations on a variety of Parkinson’s disease (PD) related topics, such as understanding the condition, research updates, managing symptoms, available therapies and treatments, and sharing personal experiences.
If you are interested in serving as a guest speaker, please click here to submit the Potential Speakers Interest Form online. You can also print and complete a PDF version of the form, and mail it to PAC’s office at the following address:
2101 Sardis Road North, Suite 102 Charlotte, NC 28227
Download the Potential Speakers Interest Form