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 Lewy Body Dementia Caregiver-Only Support Group
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
Notes:
- 2021 meeting dates
- For caregivers coping with Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies who live in Northern or Central California. (This is not a meeting for those with typical Parkinson's Disease.)
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting link
Virtual meetings via video or phone
Occasional Sundays, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes
Belmont PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Steven Russell, 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
Virtual meetings via video
1st and 3rd Thursday, 11:30am-1:30pm
RSVP: Yes
Berkeley Care Partners Support Group - Mild-to-Moderate PD
Group contact: PD Active, 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
Berkeley Care Partners Support Group - Moderate-to-Advanced PD
Group contact: Donna Mickelson, PD Active, 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
Brentwood PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Sue Schnittker, 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
Daly City PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Steven Russell, 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Carley Rencher Chen, 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
Los Altos PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Denise Dagan, 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
Virtual meetings via video
2nd Tuesday, 10:30am-noon
1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday, 10:30am-noon
RSVP: No
Menlo Park PD Caregivers Support Group
Group 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
Virtual meetings via video or phone
2nd Friday, 12:15-1:45pm
Occasional 4th Friday, 12:15-1:45pm
RSVP: Yes
Menlo Park PD Caregivers Support Group
Group 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
Virtual meetings via video or phone
3rd Tuesday, 12:15-1:45pm
Occasional 1st Tuesday, 12:15-1:45pm
RSVP: Yes
Napa PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Teri Sandison, phone 707-318-7010
Notes:
- Phone/email "group contact" to join meeting reminder email list and obtain meeting location. (Location varies among group members' patios.)
Physically-distanced, outdoor meetings
3rd or 4th Thursday, 2-4pm
RSVP: Yes
San Jose (The Villages) PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Alice Pratte, 408-223-8033
Currently on hiatus
San Jose (Willow Glen) PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Charmaine Eng, 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
Santa Cruz PD Caregivers Support Group
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
Santa Rosa PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Marie Kay Hansen, 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
Walnut Creek PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Janice Ransley, 925-944-0162
Facilitators: Jan Alioto, 925-890-8937, and Janice Ransley, 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
Bay Area Lewy Body Dementia Caregiver-Only Support Group
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
Notes:
- 2021 meeting dates
- 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
Occasional Sundays, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes
Bay Area Multiple System Atrophy Caregiver-Only Support Group
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
Notes:
- 2021 meeting dates
- For caregivers coping with multiple system atrophy, atypical parkinsonism, or Parkinson's Plus 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
Occasional Sundays, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes
Bay Area Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration Caregiver-Only Support Group
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
Notes:
- 2021 meeting dates
- 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
Occasional Sundays, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes
Arroyo Grande Caregivers Only ("North County")
Contact: Kiersten Arnaudin, Coast Caregiver Resource Center, 805-451-2450
- Open discussion over lunch
- Sponsored by Coast Caregiver Resource Center
Virtual meetings via video
Last Wednesday, 10-11:30am
RSVP: Yes
Auburn PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Karen Hancock, 530-885-0950
Currently on hiatus
Davis PD Care Partners Support Group
Location: Willow Creek Park, Davis
Contact: Karen Eagan, 530-564-4323
Notes:
- Masks required
Physically-distanced, outdoor meetings
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 10:30-11:30am
Lodi PD Caregivers Support Group
Group contact: Jean Whitted, cell 209-329-7075
Location: Grace Point Church, 801 S. Lower Sacramento Rd., Lodi 95242
Physically-distanced meetings
3rd Monday, 10-11am
RSVP: Yes
Sacramento PD Caregivers Lunch Bunch
Contact: Gain Saetern, Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, 916-728-9333, ext. 109
Virtual meetings via video
3rd Tuesday, 11am-1pm
Santa Barbara Caregivers - Grief Group
Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326
- For those who have lost loved ones
Virtual meetings via video
Tuesdays, 11am
Santa Barbara Caregivers Only
Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326
- Open discussion
Virtual meetings via video
Tuesdays, 1-2pm
Last updated March 2021 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach. Are you a support group leader who would like to contact us about this page? Email Robin Riddle
