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 for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-814-0848, Brain Support Network
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the Lewy body dementia diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2023 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of odd numbered 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
Virtual meetings
2nd Sunday, odd months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Belmont - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Silverado Belmont Hills Memory Care, 1301 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002
Contact for meeting details: Steven Russell, 650-995-6379, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Ann Blick Hamer, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Belmont area
In-person meetings, indoors
1st Thursday, 11:30am-1:30pm
Virtual meetings
3rd Thursday, 11:30am-1:30pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Berkeley - Adult Children of People with Parkinson’s Support Group
Contact and facilitator: Rachel Goldstone, MD
Contact for meeting details: PD Active, 510-479-6119
Notes:
- Open to those who are adult children of people with Parkinson's
Virtual meetings
4th Monday, 7-8:30pm
RSVP: No
Berkeley - Care Partners Support Group - Mild-to-Moderate PD
Contact for meeting details: PD Active, 510-479-6119
Self-facilitated
Notes:
- For caregivers of those with mild-to-moderate PD symptoms
Virtual meetings
2nd Wednesday, 3-5pm
RSVP: No
Berkeley - Care Partners Support Group - Moderate-to-Advanced PD
Contact for meeting details: Donna Mickelson, 510-479-6119, PD Active
Self-facilitated
Notes:
- For caregivers of those with moderate-to-advanced PD symptoms
Virtual meetings
3rd Wednesday, 2:30-4:30pm
RSVP: No
Brentwood - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: various restaurants in the Brentwood area
Contact for meeting details: Sue Schnittker, 925-550-2756
Notes:
- No set schedule
- In-person monthly lunches resumed January 2023
In-person meetings
Monthly, no set schedule
RSVP: No
Daly City - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Steven Russell, 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
Virtual meetings
2nd and 4th Tuesday, 11:30am-1:30pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Los Altos - Adult Child PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact for meeting details, and Facilitator: Denise Dagan, 650-867-7419, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Denise Dagan
Notes:
- For adult child caregivers living/working on the San Francisco Peninsula or the South Bay, or whose parent lives/receives medical care here
Virtual meetings
4th Tuesday, 7-8:30pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Los Altos - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Los Altos United Methodist Church (LAUMC), 655 Magdalena Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024
Contact for meeting details: Denise Dagan, 650-867-7419, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Los Altos area
In-person meetings, indoors
2nd Tuesday, 10:30am-noon
RSVP: Yes, required
Menlo Park - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Outdoors of group member's home, Menlo Park, CA, 94025
Contact for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-724-6090, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Susan Weisberg, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Menlo Park area
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, 94025
Contact for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-724-6090, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Facilitator: Stephne Lencioni, LCSW
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Menlo Park area
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, 94558
Contact for meeting details: Teri Sandison, cell 707-318-7010
Notes:
- RSVP required before each meeting
In-person meetings, outdoors
3rd or 4th Thursday, 3-5pm
RSVP: Yes, required
San Francisco - Care Partner Support Group
Location: Coterie Cathedral Hill, 1001 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94109
Contact for in-person meeting: Robin Katsaros, 650-787-7768
Contact for virtual meeting: Lisa Oei, PD-Connect, 415-604-2477
Notes:
- For in-person: as parking and meeting space are limited, RSVP is required. Complimentary valet parking entrance at 236 Myrtle St.
- For virtual meeting link, see PD-Connect calendar
- Began March 2023
Hybrid meetings (in-person and virtual)
2nd Monday, 2:30-3:30pm
RSVP: Required for in-person
San Jose - PD Caregivers Book Group
Location: Restaurant or group member's home
Contact for meeting details: Jenn Castro, 408-888-1699
- Group members use a book on Parkinson's caregiving as a springboard to talk about personal experiences.
- Group began in March 2023
In-person meetings, outdoors
1st Wednesday, 5:30-6:45pm
RSVP: Yes
San Jose (The Villages) - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: 5000 Cribari Lane, San Jose, CA 95135, Cribari Center Forum Room
Contact for meeting details: Alice Pratte, 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 Cribari Center
In-person meetings
3rd Thursday, 10-11am
RSVP: No
San Jose (Willow Glen) - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Charmaine Eng, 408-723-8116
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the San Jose area
Virtual meetings
4th Wednesday, 1:30-3:30pm
RSVP: No
San Mateo - LBD Caregiver-Only Support Group
Location: Restaurant, San Mateo, CA 94401
Contact for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-814-0848, Brain Support Network
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the Lewy body dementia diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2023 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of even numbered months, except February and April, which are the 3rd Sundays.
- 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
In-person meetings, outdoors
2nd Sunday, even months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Santa Cruz - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Audrey Trautwein, cell 831-419-2995
Notes:
- There's also a 2nd/4th Wednesday (2-3:30pm) virtual group that is closed to new members
Virtual meetings
3rd Wednesday, 1-2:30pm
RSVP: No
Santa Rosa - PD Care Partners Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Meg Alexander
Notes:
- Self-facilitated
Virtual meetings
1st and 3rd Friday, 10:45am-12:15pm
RSVP: No
Walnut Creek - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact for meeting details, and Facilitators: Lorie McGuinness, 925-980-4011, and Donna Campo, 925-324-0998
Notes:
- For caregivers living/working in the Walnut Creek area
Virtual meetings
1st Friday, 1-2:15pm
RSVP: No
Walnut Creek - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94595
Contact for meeting details, and Facilitators: Jan Browne, 925-899-6685, and Linda Leong, 925-944-3582
In-person meetings
3rd Saturday, 10-11:15am
RSVP: No
Bay Area - MSA Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-814-0848, Brain Support Network
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the multiple system atrophy diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2023 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday, except in 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
Virtual meetings
2nd Sunday, odd months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Bay Area - PSP and CBD Caregiver-Only Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-814-0848, Brain Support Network
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal degeneration diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2023 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday, except in 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
Virtual meetings
2nd Sunday, odd months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
San Mateo - MSA Caregiver-Only Support Group
Location: Restaurant, San Mateo, CA 94401
Contact for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-814-0848, Brain Support Network
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the multiple system atrophy diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2023 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of even numbered months, except February and April, which are the 3rd Sundays
- Group meets on the outdoor patio of a restaurant. (Indoors, if poor weather.) Most attendees have dinner (separate checks).
In-person meetings, outdoors
2nd Sunday, even months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
San Mateo - PSP and CBD Caregiver-Only Support Group
Location: Restaurant, San Mateo, CA 94401
Contact for meeting details: Robin Riddle, 650-814-0848, Brain Support Network
Facilitators: Caregivers whose loved ones have passed away and the progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal degeneration diagnosis was confirmed through brain donation
Notes:
- 2023 meeting dates. 2nd Sunday of even numbered months, except February and April, which are the 3rd Sundays
- Group meets on the outdoor patio of a restaurant. (Indoors, if poor weather.) Most attendees have dinner (separate checks).
In-person meetings, outdoors
2nd Sunday, even months, 5-7pm
RSVP: Yes, required
Auburn - Caregivers Only Lunch
Location: Club Car Restaurant, 836 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603
Contact for meeting details: Karen Hancock, 530-885-0950
In-person meetings
3rd Tuesday, 11:30am
RSVP: No
Davis caregivers
Location: Davis Senior Center, 646 A Street, Davis, CA 95616
Contact for meeting details: Karen Eagan, 530-564-4323
Notes:
- Masks required
In-person meetings
2nd and 4th Thursday, 11am-12:30pm
RSVP: No
El Dorado Hills / Folsom - Caregiver Lunch
Location: Round Table Pizza, 2793 E. Bidwell Street, #100, Folsom, CA 95630
Contact for meeting details: Larry Alver, 916-933-2465
In-person meetings
1st and 3rd Friday, 11:30am-1pm
RSVP: No
Eureka (“Humboldt County”) - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Rose Bond, 707-826-7764
Virtual meetings
1st and 3rd Wednesday, 11am-Noon
RSVP: No
Lodi - PD Caregivers Support Group
Location: GracePoint Church, Room 132, 801 S. Lower Sacramento Rd., Lodi, CA 95242
Contact for meeting details: Charlene Martin, 916-600-5769
In-person meetings
3rd Monday, 10am-Noon
RSVP: Yes, required
Nevada City/Grass Valley - Carepartners Group
Location: Location: The Communal Cafe, 233 Broad St., Nevada City, CA 95959
Contact for meeting details: Jennifer Westoby, 408-313-3524 or 530-268-2563
In-person meetings
4th Thursday, 11am
RSVP: No
Sacramento / Gold River - Lewy Body Dementia Care Partner Group
Contact for meeting details: Denise Davis, 800-272-3900
Notes:
- Via Google Meets (like Zoom)
Virtual meetings
2nd Thursday, 10-11:30am
RSVP: No
Sacramento - PD Caregivers Lunch Bunch
Contact for meeting details: Gain Saetern, 916-728-9333, ext. 109, Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center
Virtual meetings
3rd Tuesday, 11am-1pm
RSVP: No
San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara County - PD Caregivers Support Group
Contact for meeting details: Coast Caregiver Resource Center (CCRC), 805-569-8950
Notes:
- In collaboration with Central Coast Parkinson Association
Virtual meetings
Last Wednesday, 10-11:30am
RSVP: Yes, required
Santa Barbara - PD Caregivers Grief Group
Contact for meeting details: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326
- Meets at group member's home
- For those who have lost loved ones
In-person meetings
Tuesdays, 11am
RSVP: No
Santa Barbara - PD Care Partners
Location: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 4575 Auhay Drive at Arroyo, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Contact for meeting details: Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, 805-683-1326
- Discussion facilitated by counselors from the Center for Successful Aging
In-person meetings
Tuesday, 1-2:15pm
Virtual meetings
Tuesday, 2:30-4pm
RSVP: No
Last updated August 2023 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach. Are you a support group leader who would like to contact us about this page? Email Robin Riddle
