Parkinson's Disease Support Groups in Northern and Central California

San Francisco/California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)

Contact: Sonia Ayunque, program manager, California Pacific Medical Center, 415-600-7820, option 1

San Francisco/SF VA

Group contact: SF VA Movement Disorders Center, 415-379-5530

Facilitators: Annie Li Wong, GNP, movement disorders nurse practitioner, SFVA, and Carolyn Talmadge, MDiv, chaplain, SFVA

Notes:

• Open to anyone - not just VA patients
• Leave message with name, email address, and phone number to receive virtual meeting link

San Francisco - Young Onset PD/ UCSF

For info and to RSVP: Monica Volz, RN, UCSF, 415-353-7382.
For information: Christopher Gilbert

Notes:

• Meeting virtually with guest speaker for first 45 minutes and then open discussion for last 45 minutes
• Open to anyone - not just UCSF patients and caregivers
• Leave message with name, email address, and phone number to receive virtual meeting link
• For Young Onset PD patients -- 50 years and younger, and their caregivers
• To be added to monthly reminder email list and a meeting link, provide email address to Monica Volz, RN, UCSF

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

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

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

Belmont – PD Caregivers Support Group

Group contact: Steven Russell, 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach

Facilitator: Ann Blick Hamer, LCSW

Notes:

• RSVP required before each meeting
• Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list

Daly City – PD Caregivers Support Group

Group contact: Steven Russell, 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach

Facilitator: Carley Rencher Chen, LCSW

Notes:

• RSVP required before each meeting
• Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list

Half Moon Bay ("PD Coastside")

Contact: Jeff Perls, 650-726-7199, and Virginia Stalder

Los Altos – PD Caregivers Support Group

Group contact: Denise Dagan, 650-867-7419, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach

Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW  

Notes:

• Please contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list

Menlo Park – PD Caregivers Support Group 

Group contact: Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, 650-724-6090

Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW

Notes:

• RSVP required before each meeting
• Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list

Menlo Park – PD Caregivers Support Group 

Group contact: Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, 650-724-6090

Facilitator: Natalie McKelvey, LCSW

Notes:

• RSVP required before each meeting
• Contact group leader to join meeting reminder email list

Millbrae

Contact: Dorothy McAfee, 650-583-2332, and Don Arata, 650-347-5878

Palo Alto

Contact: Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, 650-724-6090

Notes:

• To be added to monthly reminder email list, contact Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, 650-724-6090
• Occasional meetings with local guest speakers resumed as of March 2021

Palo Alto Quarterly DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)/Stanford

Contact: Steven Russell, 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach

Palo Alto - Young Onset PD/Stanford

Contact: John Mamin, 650-248-7363

Notes:

• Open to those diagnosed with PD by age 50 or younger
• To be added to monthly reminder email list, provide email address to John Mamin
• About eight guest speakers per year
• Learn more about this group

Peninsula - Parkinson's Women Support

Contact: Sarah Eitzman

Notes:

• For women with Parkinson's (any age or any stage of PD)
• Newspaper article

Sunnyvale

Contact: Phyllis Ng, 408-733-5648

Gilroy

Contact: Christel Morley, 408-691-5982

Hollister

Contact: Christina Andrade, Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center, 831-975-5841

San Jose (The Villages) PD Caregivers Support Group

Contact: Alice Pratte, 408-223-8033

San Jose/Willow Glen

Contact: Bart Narter, 408-634-2265

Notes:

• Guest speakers at most meetings. Discussion at others.
• No meeting: July.

San Jose (Willow Glen) PD Caregivers Support 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

Albany/Berkeley/Oakland

Contact: PD Active, 510-479-6119

Notes:

• Meeting virtually and open to anyone with PD
• Facilitated by Roslyn Kleinsinger, LCSW (retired)
• Pre-registration link

Berkeley Adult Children of People with Parkinson’s Support Group

Group contact and facilitator: Rachel Goldstone, MD.

Group contact: PD Active, 510-479-6119

Notes:

• Meeting virtually
• Open to those who are adult children of people with Parkinson's

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

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

Berkeley Forum ("PD Active Forum")

Contact: PD Active, 510-479-6119

Notes:

• Meeting virtually four times per year, with guest speakers
• See PD Active calendar
• Suggested $10 donation
• Contact PD Active for online registration link.

Berkeley - Heart Circle

Facilitated by Michelle Johnston and Jodeane Pringle, call 650-814-8388 (preferred) or email Jodeane at mjodeane@alum.mit.edu.

Notes:

• Meeting virtually with guided meditation and sharing on topic of mutual interest

Berkeley - Salon

Contact: Herb Heinz, 510-821-4632

Notes:

• Meeting virtually, sharing moving writing and other creative works
• Presentations by people with PD will have priority
• Co-hosted by Phil Miller, Gary Turchin, and Herb Heinz

Berkeley - Young Onset PD

Contact: PD Active, 510-479-6119

Notes:

• For those diagnosed with PD in early fifties or younger, or those young at heart
• Occasional socially-distanced hikes

Brentwood ("Delta Shadow Boxers")

Contact: Sue and Duane Schnittker, 925-550-2756

Notes:

• Meeting virtually, as of February 2021
• Occasional guest speakers (who start speaking at 7pm)

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

East Bay - Parkinson's Women Support

Member homes in the East Bay or at restaurants

Contact: Ann Boylan

Notes:

• For women with Parkinson's (any age or any stage of PD)
• Open discussion over lunch

Fremont

Contact: Bob Dickerson, 510-490-7978, and Barbara DeGregorio, 510-657-2880

Notes:

• Meeting virtually, typically with guest speakers
• No meetings: May and December

Oakland/Piedmont Gardens

Contact: Elisabeth Middelberg, MFT, Piedmont Gardens, 510-597-6733

Pleasanton ("Tri Valley")

Contact: Mary Behrendt, 925-989-0209

San Lorenzo/San Leandro

Contact: Lona White, 510-276-3119

Union City

Contact: Rob Magbanua or Ann Boylan

Walnut Creek

Contact: Rick Stevens, 925-932-4210.

Notes:

• Meeting virtually with guest speakers at most meetings
• $50/year annual membership to Parkinson Network of Mt. Diablo

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

Walnut Creek - Parkinson's Men's Group

Overall contact and co-facilitator of Group C: Derek Ransley, 925-944-0162

Notes:

• Group A - 2nd and 4th Saturday, 9:30-11am.  Group B - 1st Saturday,  10-11:30am.  Group C - 2nd Tuesday, 2-3:30pm
• Meeting virtually in three different groups for men with PD
• Facilitated by Dennis Krauss (Group A), Mark Ouyang and Phil Hornig (Group B), and Derek Ransley (Group C)

Walnut Creek - Parkinson's Women's Group

Contact: Alexa Donahoe,  925-597-5099

Notes:

• For women who are newly diagnosed or have had PD for longer

Benicia

Contact: Brad Miller, 707-515-9216

Notes:

• Usually guest speakers

Kentfield ("PD-Connect")

Contact: Lisa Oei, DPT, 415-604-2477

Notes:

• Meeting virtually with guest speakers followed by question-and-answer session
• Open to anyone with advance registration
• See calendar for meeting registration link

Mill Valley ("Marin County")

Contact: Katherine Jones, 415-927-7647, and Elizabeth Mazariegos-Ramirez

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

Napa Young Onset PD

Contact: Colleen Winters, 209-602-1536

Notes:

• With occasional guest speakers
• Open to anyone, regardless of age diagnosed

Petaluma

Contact: Marie Kint, 707-795-7014

Petaluma - Caregivers Only

Contact: Marie Kint, 707-795-7014

Santa Rosa ("PSGSC - Parkinson's Support Group of Sonoma County")

Contact: Tess Lorraine, 707-363-7936, and Marc Alexander, 707-431-8767

Notes:

• Meeting virtually with guest speakers, 1-2pm
• Virtual break-out rooms of those with PD (same meeting link as 1-2pm meeting) and those who are caregivers (different link), 2-3pm
• To be added to monthly reminder email list, provide email address to Tess Lorraine

Santa Rosa PD Caregivers Support Group

Group contact: Marie Kay Hansen, 209-836-5494   

Notes:

• Email/phone "group contact" to join obtain meeting link

Santa Rosa ("Sonoma County") - Women with Parkinson's

Contact: Joanne Phipps, 707-585-0669, June North

Notes:

• Virtual discussion group for women with PD

Sonoma

Contact: Jamie Escoubas, Council on Aging, cell 949-293-7616

Notes:

• With occasional guest speakers

Vacaville

Contact: Brenda DeMartini, 707-330-1551

Aptos - PWP Peer Support

Contact: Mavel Armijo, 831-331-6990

Pacific Grove ("Monterey")

Contact: Monterey Parkinson's Support Group

Santa Cruz PD Caregivers Support Group

Contact: Audrey Trautwein, 831-419-2995

Notes:

• To be added to monthly meeting reminder list and obtain meeting link, provide email address to Audrey Trautwein

Santa Cruz Women with PD Teatime

Contact: Aura Oslapas, cell 415-527-7855

Soquel (Santa Cruz County; "EASE PD")

Contact: Karen Williams, 831-708-2906

Notes:

• Meeting virtually, usually with guest speakers
• If 1st Wednesday is January 1 or July 4, meeting is postponed for one week typically
• Sign up for monthly group newsletter or provide email address to Audrey Trautwein

Bakersfield ("Kern County")

Contact: Paul Gipe, cell 661-472-1657

Notes:

• Occasional guest speakers

Carmichael

Contact: Ron von Rajcs, 916-715-3920

Carmichael - Young Onset PD

Contact: Mary Beth Arjil, 530-409-4118, and Tony Wong, 916-730-6303

Notes:

• Open to anyone though focus is on those with young onset PD who are still working
• Occasional guest speakers
• No meetings: July, August

Chico

Contact: Terry Connelly, 650-743-6871, and Bob Murray, 530-321-6157

Notes:

• Chair exercises - first ten minutes of each meeting
• Occasional guest speakers
• To be added to monthly newsletter list, provide email address to Bob Murray

Clovis (Greater Fresno)

Contact: Bruce McKee, cell 559-850-6159, and Kelly Darakjian, 559-593-1576

Notes:

• Resumed meeting virtually in January 2021
• Guest speakers at all meetings
• Attendance limited to local area
• To be added to monthly e-newsletter list, complete online request
• Annual summit in February
• Video story about group with group leader Patty Stratton

Clovis Women with PD

Contact: Susan Curtis, 559-840-9585, and Sheron, 559-412-4446

Notes:

• Resuming virtually meetings in April 2021

Davis

Contact: Susan Curry, 530-304-9927

Notes:

• Usually open discussion
• Occasional guest spakers

Davis PD Care Partners Support Group

Location: Willow Creek Park, Davis

Contact: Karen Eagan, 530-564-4323

Notes:

• Masks required

El Dorado Hills/Folsom

Contact: Donna Rixmann, 916-712-9642

Notes:

• Meeting virtually, with a guest speaker once a month (which Thursday for the guest speaker varies)
• Email "group contact" for meeting link

Elk Grove

Contact: Myron Jantzen, 916-686-4555, cell 916-804-6497

Lincoln

Contact: Gary High, 916-434-5905

Notes:

• Meeting virtually as of March 2021

Lodi

Grace Point Church - Meeting Room
801 S. Lower Sacramento Rd., Lodi 95242 (click for map)

Parking? Free.

Contact: Ron and Maureen Olsen, 209-745-1011, Robin Bray cell 209-269-1080, or Pat Bray, 209-327-1549

Notes:

• Physically-distanced meetings resumed March 2021
• Requirements - wear a mask, have temperature scanned at the door, and stay physically-distanced

Lodi PD Caregivers Support Group

Grace Point Church - Room 132
801 S. Lower Sacramento Rd., Lodi 95242 (click for map)

Parking? Free.

Contact: Jean Whitted cell 209-329-7075

Notes:

• Physically-distanced meetings
• Usually open discussion

Merced

Contact: Elizabeth Sisonethasy or Amie Marchini, Mission Gardens, 209-384-3300

Modesto

Contact: Beth Bollinger, 209-668-9434, and Ray Patterson, 209-604-7870

Redding

Location: Enterprise Park, Redding

Contact: Kim Hawkins RN, 530-945-7628

Notes:

• Physically-distanced meetings are "coffee in the park." There are signs directing people to meeting location.
• Virtual meetings with occasional guest speakers
• To be added to monthly email reminder list, contact Kim Hawkins

Roseville

Contact: Harry Butler, 916-837-3366

Notes:

• meeting virtually with occasional guest speakers

Roseville/West

Contact: Ken Fujino, 916-474-4688, and Diane Herold, 916-788-9110

Notes:

• Occasional guest speakers

Sacramento/Natomas

Location for outdoor meetings: North Natomas Regional Park, 2501 New Market Drive, Sacramento, 95835.

Contact: Irene Duggan, 916-710-6912

Notes:

• Virtual meetings with occasional guest speakers
• Requirements for outdoor meetings: wear masks

Sacramento/South Area

Contact: David Teraoku, 916-685-4162

Sacramento Post-DBS Support Groups

Group contacts:

• Sutter Health:  Neurology 916-454-6936 (messages only)
• Kaiser Sacramento:  Neuroscience Reception Desk 916-973-6860 (messages only)
• UC Davis:  Kandis Kaltenbach,  916-731-1610
• Dignity Health:  Neurology 916-453-7942 (messages only)

Notes:

• Meeting virtually, as of February 2021, often with guest speakers
• February, June, October: 3rd Wed, 2:30-4:30pm - facilitated by Sutter (Linda Ramatowski, FNP) but open to anyone
• March, July, November: 3rd Mon, 2:30-4:30pm - facilitated by Kaiser (Meghan Anderson, ANP) but open to anyone
• April, August, December: 2nd Wed, 2:30-4:30pm - facilitated by UC Davis (Laura Sperry, ANP) but open to anyone
• May and September: 3rd Mon, 10:30am-Noon - facilitated by Dignity Health (Linda Trettin, PhD) but open to anyone

Sacramento PD Caregivers Lunch Bunch

Contact: Gain Saetern, Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, 916-728-9333, ext. 109

Sacramento/Arden Arcade

Contact: Jim Morris, 916-359-4859, and Keith Tronson, 916-395-2771

Notes:

• No meeting: October and December

Sacramento/Northeast

Contact: Sean Tracy, 916-204-4529

Notes:

• Small group discussion
• No meeting: November and December

Stockton (San Joaquin County)

Contact: Christy Carruthers, 209-478-2731

Stockton - Parkinson's Women Support

Contact: Leslie Sherman, 209-483-3345

Notes:

• For women with Parkinson's (any age or any stage of PD)
• Open discussion over lunch

Tracy

Contact: Kathryn Clark, 209-879-3108

Turlock

Contact: Paul Barnes, 209-216-5620

Visalia ("Central Valley")

Contact: Marilyn Swanson, 559-732-1056

Woodland

Contact: Bernadette Murray, cell 530-405-9924

Notes:

• Occasional guest speakers
• No meeting: July and August

Yuba City ("Tri- County")

Contact: Janice Herbert, 530-673-3064

Auburn

Contact: Karen Hancock, 530-885-0950

Auburn Caregivers Only Lunch

Contact: Karen Hancock, 530-885-0950

Grass Valley

Contact: Nancy Lockwood, 530-272-7950

Grass Valley / Nevada City

Contact: Jennifer Westoby, 530 268-2563

Notes:

• Presentations, guest speakers, and group discussion on a different topic each month

Loyalton

Contact: Betty Ferguson, 530-993-4002

Notes:

• Physically-distanced meetings in support group leader's home; masks required

Placerville

Contact: Peggy Kline, MFT, 408-309-1125

San Andreas ("Calaveras County")

Contact: Rex Whisnand, 209-785-8166, and Judy Axtman, 209-736-4687, cell 925-818-9501

Truckee

Contact: Ellen Roumasset, 650-759-3666

Notes:

• Guest speakers every other month or so

Eureka

Contact: Ken and Rose Bond, 707-826-7764

Notes:

• Usually open discussion

Arroyo Grande Caregivers Only ("North County")

Contact: Kiersten Arnaudin, Coast Caregiver Resource Center, 805-451-2450

Notes:

• Sponsored by Coast Caregiver Resource Center

Lompoc

Contact: Jill Larson, 805-733-4421, and Jody Larson, cell 805-717-3280

Notes:

• Open discussion
• Physically-distanced meetings beginning March 2021

Morro Bay/Los Osos

Contact: Claudia Gahafer, 805-528-2064

Notes:

• Occasional guest speakers

Santa Barbara

Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326

Santa Barbara Caregivers - Grief Group

Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326

Notes:

• For those who have lost loved ones

Santa Barbara Caregivers Only

Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326

Notes:

• Open discussion

Santa Barbara - Early Stage Parkinson's

Contact: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326

Notes:

• Open discussion

Santa Maria

Contact: Scott Greenwood, 949-923-8154

Victorville ("High Desert")

Contact: For meeting info: Inland Caregiver Resource Center, 800-675-6694, for questions about PD: Ann Miner