Caregivers need to have their own support group meetings or gatherings because they need to vent, share, learn tips and resources, and receive support from others walking the same path. Ideally, a caregiver to someone with Parkinson’s Disease can attend a PD-specific caregiver support group. Or someone dealing with Lewy Body Dementia can attend an LBD-specific caregiver support group. And so on. With the pandemic, many support groups have moved to meet virtually while others have gone on hiatus until in-person meetings can occur once again. Here’s our list of the status of PD and atypical parkinsonism caregiver-only support group meetings in the SF Bay Area, other parts of Northern California, and Central California.
Most meetings that are gathering virtually are using video. Some groups have expanded the number of virtual meetings to provide more support. Of course you’ll need to contact the group leader for information on joining the meeting. Most likely, groups will restrict attendees to the local area.
We know that caring for someone with PD in the current environment is particularly challenging. If you aren’t already doing so, reach out to one of the group leaders below and find the support and encouragement you need.
Let me know if any of this information needs to be updated.
Stay well and safe,
Steven Russell
parkinsons.stanford.edu
____________________________________
PD CAREGIVER-ONLY SUPPORT GROUPS – BAY AREA
Belmont – PD Caregivers Support Group
1st and 3rd Thursday, 11:30am-1:30pm
Virtual meetings via video
RSVP required before each meeting
Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact: Steven Russell, 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Ann Blick Hamer, LCSW
Daly City – PD Caregivers Support Group
2nd and 4th Tuesday, 11:30am-1:30pm
Virtual meetings via video
RSVP required before each meeting
Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact: Steven Russell, 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Carley Rencher Chen, LCSW
Berkeley – Mild/Moderate Care Partners Support Group
2nd Wednesday, 3-5pm
Virtual meetings via video
Group contact: PD Active, 510-479-6119
Facilitator: Roslyn Kleinsinger, LCSW
Berkeley – PD Care Partners Support Group
2nd Thursday, 2:30-4:30pm
Virtual meetings via video
Group contact: Joyce Sakai, 510-525-5166
Brentwood
Currently on hiatus
Group contact: Sue Schnittker, 925-550-2756
Los Altos – PD Caregivers Support Group
2nd Tuesday, 10:30am-noon
1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday, 10:30am-noon
Virtual meetings via video
Please contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact: Denise Dagan, 650-867-7419, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW
Menlo Park – PD Caregivers Support Group
1st and 3rd Tuesday, 12:15-1:45pm
Virtual meetings via phone or video
RSVP required before each meeting
Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact: Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, phone 650-724-6090
Facilitator: Natalie McKelvey, LCSW
Menlo Park – PD Caregivers Support Group
2nd and 4th Friday, 12:15-1:45pm
Virtual meetings via phone or possibly video
RSVP required before each meeting
Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact: Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, phone 650-724-6090
Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW
Mill Valley – PD Caregivers Break-out Session
4th Friday, 2-3pm
Possibly holding virtual meetings via video
Facilitator and group contact: Joann Katz, MFT
San Jose (The Villages)
Currently on hiatus
Group contact: Alice Pratte, 408-223-8033
San Jose (Willow Glen) – PD Caregivers Support Group
4th Wednesday, 1:30-3:30pm
Virtual meetings via video
Group contact: Charmaine Eng, 408-723-8116
Walnut Creek – PD Caregivers Support Group
Currently on hiatus
Group contact: Jan Alioto, 925-890-8937, or Janice Ransley, 925-944-0162
ATYPICAL PARKINSONISM CAREGIVER-ONLY SUPPORT GROUP- BAY AREA
Lewy Body Dementia Caregiver-Only Support Group
Occasional Sundays, 5-7pm. 2020 meeting dates
Virtual meetings via video or phone
RSVP required before each meeting
Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, 650-814-0848
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the Lewy body dementia diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration Caregiver-Only Support Group
Occasional Sundays, 5-7pm. 2020 meeting dates
Virtual meetings via phone or video
RSVP required before each meeting
Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, 650-814-0848
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal degeneration diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Multiple System Atrophy Caregiver-Only Support Group
Occasional Sundays, 5-7pm. 2020 meeting dates
Virtual meetings via phone or video
RSVP required before each meeting
Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
Group contact:Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, 650-814-0848
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the multiple system atrophy diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
PD CAREGIVER-ONLY SUPPORT GROUPS – NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Auburn
Group on hiatus
Group contact: Karen Hancock, 530-885-0950
Davis – PD Care Partners Support Group
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 1:30-3pm
Virtual meetings via video
Group contact: Karen Eagan, 530-564-4323
Lodi
Group on hiatus
Group contact: Jean Whitted, 209-368-2809
Sacramento – PD Caregivers Lunch Bunch
3rd Tuesday, 11am-1pm
Virtual meetings via video
Group contact: Anne Spaller, MFT, 916-728-9333
Santa Rosa
2nd Tuesday, 9:30-11am
Virtual meetings via video
Group contact: Marie Kay Hansen, 209-836-5494
Santa Rosa
4th Thursday, 11:30am-1pm
Virtual meetings via video
Group contact: Marie Kay Hansen, 209-836-5494