Caregivers need to have their own private support group meetings because they need to vent, share, learn tips and resources, and receive support from others walking the same path.
With the pandemic, many support groups have moved to virtual meetings with video while others have gone on hiatus until in-person meetings can occur once again. Some groups have expanded the number of virtual meetings to provide more support. Most groups restrict attendees to the local area.
Are you in the SF Bay Area but don't see a PD caregiver group near you? We have a list of caregiver-only support groups for those dealing with dementia. Note that most attendees are likely dealing with Alzheimer's Disease.
Are the meeting days/times below not ideal for you? Or do you live outside of Northern and Central California? Check out our lists of online support groups (meeting any time) and scheduled virtual nationwide support groups.
> PD and PD Dementia Caregiver-Only Support Groups - Bay Area
> Atypical Parkinsonism Caregiver-Only Support Groups - Bay Area
> PD Caregiver-Only Support Groups - Northern And Central California (beyond the Bay Area)
Bay Area - LBD Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, phone 650-814-0848
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the Lewy body dementia diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2022 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of odd months, except May, which is the 3rd Sunday
- For caregivers coping with Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies who live in Northern or Central California
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video or phone
2nd Sundays, odd months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Belmont - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Steven Russell, phone 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Ann Blick Hamer, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Belmont area
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
In-person, indoors
1st Thursday, 11:30am-1:30pm
Virtual meetings
3rd Thursday, 11:30am-1:30pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Berkeley - Care Partners Support Group - Mild-to-Moderate PD
Contact: PD Active, phone 510-479-6119
Self-facilitated
Notes:
- For caregivers of those with mild-to-moderate PD symptoms
- Phone/email "group contact" to obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video
2nd Wednesday, 3-5pm
RSVP: No
Berkeley - Care Partners Support Group - Moderate-to-Advanced PD
Contact: Donna Mickelson, PD Active, phone 510-479-6119
Self-facilitated
Notes:
- For caregivers of those with moderate-to-advanced PD symptoms
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting link
Virtual meetings via video
3rd Wednesday, 2:30-4:30pm
RSVP: No
Brentwood - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Sue Schnittker, phone 925-550-2756
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Brentwood area
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video
No fixed schedule
RSVP: No
Daly City - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Steven Russell, phone 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Ann Blick Hamer, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Daly City/San Francisco area
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video
2nd and 4th Tuesday, 11:30am-1:30pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Los Altos - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Foothill Congregational Church, 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos, CA 94022
Contact: Denise Dagan, phone 650-867-7419, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Los Altos area
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
- In person meetings are indoors, well ventilated, and socially distanced.
In-person meetings, outdoors
2nd Tuesday, 10:30am-noon
Virtual meetings via video
4th Thursday, 10:30am-noon
RSVP: Yes, required
Menlo Park - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Outdoors of group member's home, Menlo Park, CA
Contact: Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, phone 650-724-6090
Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Menlo Park area
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
In-person meetings, outdoors
2nd Friday, Noon-2pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Menlo Park - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Outdoors of group member's home, Menlo Park, CA
Contact: Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, phone 650-724-6090
Facilitator: Natalie McKelvey, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Menlo Park area
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
In-person meetings, outdoors
3rd Tuesday, Noon-2pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Napa - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Outside of group member's home, Napa, CA
Contact: Teri Sandison, phone 707-318-7010
Notes:
- RSVP required before each meeting
- Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list
In-person meetings, outdoors
3rd or 4th Thursday, 3-5pm
RSVP: Yes, required
San Jose - (The Villages) PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Montgomery Center at The Villages, 5000 Cribari Lane, San Jose, CA 95135
Contact: Alice Pratte, phone 408-223-8033
- Tell staff at the entrance gate you are attending the Parkinson's Caregiver Support Group.
- Entrance gate staff and signage will direct attendees to the Montgomery Center.
In-person meetings
3rd Thursday, 10-11am
RSVP: No
San Jose (Willow Glen) - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Charmaine Eng, phone 408-723-8116
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the San Jose area
- Phone "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video
4th Wednesday, 1:30-3:30pm
RSVP: No
San Mateo - LBD Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, phone 650-814-0848
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the Lewy body dementia diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2022 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of even months, except February, which is the 3rd Sunday.
- Group meets on the outdoor patio of a restaurant. (Indoors, if poor weather.) Most attendees have dinner (separate checks).
- For caregivers coping with Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies who live in Northern or Central California
- Phone/email "contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
In-person, outdoors
2nd Sundays, even months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Santa Cruz - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Audrey Trautwein, cell 831-419-2995
Notes:
- To be added to monthly meeting reminder list and obtain meeting link, provide email address to Audrey Trautwein
Virtual meetings via video
3rd Wednesday, 2-3:30pm
RSVP: No
Santa Rosa - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Marie Kay Hansen, phone 209-836-5494
Notes:
- Email/phone "group contact" to join obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video
2nd Tuesday, 9:30-11am
4th Thursday, 11:30am-1pm
RSVP: No
Walnut Creek - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Janice Ransley, 925-944-0162
Facilitators: Jan Alioto, phone 925-890-8937, and Janice Ransley, phone 925-944-0162
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Walnut Creek area
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video
3rd Saturday, 9:30-11am
RSVP: No
Bay Area - MSA Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, phone 650-814-0848
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the multiple system atrophy diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2022 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of odd months, except May, which is the 3rd Sunday
- For caregivers coping with multiple system atrophy, atypical parkinsonism, or Parkinson's Plus who live in Northern or Central California
- Phone/email "Contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video or phone
2nd Sundays, odd months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Bay Area - PSP and CBD Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, phone 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
Notes:
- 2022 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of odd months, except May, which is the 3rd Sunday
- For caregivers coping with progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, or corticobasal syndrome who live in Northern or Central California
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video or phone
2nd Sundays, odd months 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
San Mateo - MSA Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, phone 650-814-0848
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the multiple system atrophy diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2022 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of odd months, except May, which is the 3rd Sunday
- Group meets on the outdoor patio of a restaurant. (Indoors, if poor weather.) Most attendees have dinner (separate checks).
- Phone/email "contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
In-person, outdoors
2nd Sundays, even months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
San Mateo - PSP and CBD Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact: Robin Riddle, Brain Support Network, phone 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
Notes:
- 2022 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of odd months, except May, which is the 3rd Sunday
- Group meets on the outdoor patio of a restaurant. (Indoors, if poor weather.) Most attendees have dinner (separate checks).
- Phone/email "contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
In-person, outdoors
2nd Sundays, even months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Arroyo Grande - Caregivers Only ("North County")
Contact: Kiersten Arnaudin, Coast Caregiver Resource Center, phone 805-451-2450
- Open discussion over lunch
- Sponsored by Coast Caregiver Resource Center
Virtual meetings via video
Last Wednesday, 10-11:30am
RSVP: Yes, required
Auburn - Caregivers Only Lunch
Location: Club Car Restaurant, 836 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603
Contact: Karen Hancock, phone 530-885-0950
In-person meetings
3rd Tuesday, 11:30am
RSVP: No
Davis - PD Care Partners Support Group
Location: Davis City Park, Corner of 5th and B Streets, Davis, CA 95616
Contact: Karen Eagan, phone 530-564-4323
Notes:
- Masks required
Physically-distanced, outdoor meetings
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm
RSVP: No
El Dorado Hills / Folsom - Caregiver Lunch
Contact: Larry Alver, phone 916-922-2465
Location: Round Table Pizza, 2793 E. Bidwell Street, #100, Folsom, CA 95630
In-person meetings
1st and 3rd Friday, 11:30am
RSVP: No
Lodi - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact: Jean Whitted, cell 209-329-7075
Location: Grace Point Church, 801 S. Lower Sacramento Rd., Lodi, CA 95242
Physically-distanced meetings
3rd Monday, 10am-12pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Sacramento - PD Caregivers Lunch Bunch
Contact: Gain Saetern, Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, phone 916-728-9333, ext. 109
Virtual meetings via video
3rd Tuesday, 11am-1pm
RSVP: No
Sacramento / Gold River - Lewy Body Dementia Care Partner Group
Contact: Denise Davis, phone 800-272-3900
- Via Google Meets (like Zoom)
- Call or email for login details
Virtual meetings via video
2nd Thursday, 10-11:30am
RSVP: No
Santa Barbara - Caregivers Grief Group
Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, phone 805-683-1326
- For those who have lost loved ones
Virtual meetings via video
Tuesdays, 11am
RSVP: No
Santa Barbara - Caregivers Only
Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, phone 805-683-1326
- Open discussion
Virtual meetings via video
Tuesdays, 1-2pm
RSVP: No
Last updated June 2022 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach. Are you a support group leader who would like to contact us about this page? Email Robin Riddle
