Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a long-term degenerative disease of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. Its symptoms generally come on slowly over time. Early in the disease, the most obvious are shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking. The slowing of cognitive processes may also occur. 

 About one million Americans are reported to have Parkinson’s but the real number could be much more. That is greater than those afflicted by multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Lou Gehrig’s disease combined.

While standard drug treatment protocols are available, these drugs can only slow PD’s progression but cannot stop, reverse or cure the disease.  PD’s symptoms persist and expand and for many patients their quality of life declines and they withdraw into themselves and become isolated and alone.  They require full time in-home care and the new role of primary caregiver for untrained spouses and partners becomes difficult, creating new sets of quality of life problems and challenges.

These are emotional and physical quality of life challenges. It can help to find others dealing with the same problems.  PD Support Groups are made of families who understand and are coping.  The person with Parkinson’s and the Care Partners discover more challenges as the disease progresses. Support Groups can help families discover new coping skills for old and new PD symptoms as they attend Support Group meetings.