Online Support Groups

Many people find support groups help them deal with the challenges of having Parkinson's disease (PD) or being a care partner to someone with PD.   Some people prefer online support groups as they are always-available, posters can remain anonymous, and posters may receive responses from many different people.

With online support groups (or forums), comments or questions are posted to a message board and replies from other group members trickle in over hours or days.  Members can post as well as read messages posted by other members at any time of the day or night.  Some groups have a moderator to 'police' the posts, others do not. 

The online support groups listed here are for people with Parkinson's disease as well as family and friends of people with PD.  If you prefer to see the people you are communicating with, check out our small list of video support groups.

Communicate Any Time With People Around the World

Caregivers: Dementia

This online forum provides support, practical information, and answers to questions about caring for someone living with any type of dementia at any stage.  The group is hosted and moderated Mayo Clinic so no question goes unanswered.  Must be a member to post to the forum.  Anyone may read posts.  Nearly 800 members in July 2022.


Parkinson's Buddy Network

An online community for people with Parkinson's Disease and Parkinson's care partners is a safe space to build connections, share experiences, ask questions and find support. Building your personal profile helps software connect members of similar demographics and interests. The group is hosted and moderated.  Must be a member to post to the forum.  More than 9,000  members from over 84 countries as of September 2022.


Parkinson's Disease

This online forum for people with Parkinson's Disease and Parkinson's care partners is hosted and moderated by Mayo Clinic staff so no question goes unanswered.  Must be a member to post to the forum.  Anyone may read posts.  Over 700 members in July 2022.


PD Conversations

Moderated discussion groups on several Parkinson's topics, including Newly Diagnosed, Symptoms of PD, Treating PD, Tips for Daily Living, Caregiving for PD, Young Onset, and General Discussion groups in both English and Spanish. Parkinson's Foundation Helpline staff answers posted questions, participates in conversations, and posts helpful information and announcements for upcoming Parkinson's educational opportunities.


Cure Parkinson’s

HealthUnlocked unmoderated discussion groups on a variety of PD-related topics.  The Parkinson's community is run in conjunction with Parkinson's Movement, an initiative of The Cure Parkinson's Trust (UK), and the European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA). Must be a member to post to the forum.  Anyone may read posts.  Over 21,000 members in July 2022.


Parkinson's UK Forum

Moderated sections include Daily Life, Health & Wellbeing, Newly Diagnosed, Caregivers, Friends & Family, Treatments, Creative Corner, and Social Chat.


PatientsLikeMe Forum

Unmoderated posts on a variety of PD-related and non-PD related topics. Members 'tag' their postings with relevant subject titles, suggested by the site, so visitors to the forum can search for or filter 'tags' they are interested in. Must be a member to read or post to the forum. Over 20,000 PD patient members.


Smart Patients Parkinson's Disease Community

Moderated posts, organized by communities around different illnesses, including PD.  The PD community runs in partnership with the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).  You must be a member to read or post.


Last updated October 2022 by Stanford's Parkinson's Community Outreach.