Parkinson Canada hosts local support groups in your community to provide mutual support from other people living with Parkinson’s Disease. Support groups offer a safe environment for talking about your experiences, enhancing your ability to cope with the daily challenges of Parkinson’s.
Some groups are subject-specific (young onset, newly diagnosed and care partners as examples) while others are more general. All are designed to provide a safe, comfortable place for people to connect and share with each other on how to live well with Parkinson’s.
Why join a Parkinson’s support group?
Jeannine’s Story
I was fortunate that my neurologist gave me two positive items of information at diagnosis: Saskatoon has a monthly support group meeting and a good exercise program for Parkinson’s. Being a social beast by nature, I joined both right away and have greatly benefitted both physically and mentally. Being able to meet people from so many walks of life to discuss this disease we have in common is so good for me. We don’t feel sorry for each other; we understand each other’s circumstances and it strengthens our bond – and physically strengthens our minds and bodies, I believe.
Find a Parkinson’s support group near you
Find out about our vast network of support groups for people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers and family members through our new platform, CareFinder.
Peer to peer support
A nationwide program that provides mentoring and support to people living with Parkinson’s Disease and care partners. Participating in the program helps to reduce social isolation and build resiliency by matching the person living with Parkinson’s or a care partner with a mentor who has lived experience, reducing the sense of being alone. Many diagnosed with Parkinson’s may not know anyone who has Parkinson’s who they can reach out to for support. Some may not feel comfortable sharing their diagnosis in groups or with friends or coworkers but still need someone to talk with confidentially. The Peer-to-Peer program will provide that connection for both the person living with Parkinson’s as well as their care partner.
Applicants to the program are matched with skilled volunteer mentors who have experience living with Parkinson’s disease or acting as a care partner for someone with Parkinson’s. Volunteer mentors can share their experiences, and provide perspective and support for people living with Parkinson’s or caring for someone with Parkinson’s.
There are two ways you can be involved with the program:
As a mentor
If you are someone who has Parkinson’s or is a caregiver for someone who has Parkinson’s you can apply to mentor others by filling out an application form, completing a criminal record check and training. You will then be matched with someone to mentor for a 6-month period. How often and how you connect with your match is up to you and your match to determine. Throughout the 6-month period you and your match will be supported by a Parkinson Canada staff.
Apply to be a mentor: https://parkinsoncanada.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/pcpeersupportmentor
As a match
You can apply to be matched with a mentor for a 6-month period. During this time, you will connect with your mentor on a schedule determined by you and your mentor. Through this connection, you can brainstorm and learn from each other’s experience with Parkinson’s. To be matched with a mentor:
Please call 1-888-664-1974 or email support@parkinson.ca
Apply for a mentor: https://forms.office.com/r/LhdS5hrVw7
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at peersupport@parkinson.ca
The peer Support Program helps to reduce social isolation and build resiliency by matching the person living with Parkinson’s or care partner with someone with lived experience, reducing the sense of being alone.
Many diagnosed with Parkinson’s may not know anyone who has lived with Parkinson’s who they can reach out to for support. Some may not feel comfortable sharing their diagnosis in groups or with friends or coworkers but still need someone to talk with confidentially. The Peer-to-Peer program will provide that connection for both the person living with Parkinson’s as well as their care partner.
This program will complement the evidence-based information Parkinson Canada provides, with the lived experience of the volunteer mentor. Connecting with a volunteer mentor can be particularly helpful as it provides the opportunity to create a safe space for discussion and sharing; to be heard and understood. The mentors will be screened by Parkinson Canada and will have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s or be a care partner for someone with Parkinson’s. All mentors will be capable of having discussions based on personal experience with the disease. The program will offer individuals the opportunity to create a long-term connection or simply a one-time conversation resulting in an additional layer of support for the person living with Parkinson’s or their care partner.
