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Support Groups & Programs

We know that each unique diagnosis affects individuals, care partners and family members differently, so we offer various support groups and classes based on diagnosis or age of onset.

General Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

Date: First Wednesday of the month
Time: 2-3 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is an virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Parkinson’s Disease Care Partner Support Group

Date: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: 2-3 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease Group

Date: Fourth Wednesday of the month
Time: 6-7 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Parkinson’s Disease & Women Online Support Group

Date: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Chair Yoga

Date: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of the month
Time: 10-11 a.m. (CT)
Location: This is an virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Parkinson’s Disease 101

About: This informational class is designed to provide an overview of Parkinson’s Disease, including the history, causes, symptoms and treatments.
Date: September 18
Time: 4-5:30 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Parkinson’s Disease 201

About: This informational class is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the medications, treatments and advanced therapies available in the management of Parkinson’s disease.
Date: November 13
Time: 4-5:30 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Art Therapy

Date: Third Monday of the month
Time: 10-11 a.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Improv for PD

Date: Offered at various times throughout the year
Location: The Second City, 230 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
Cost: $100 for eight-week series
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Atypical Parkinson’s Support Group

About: This support group is designed for people with Multiple System Atrophy, Corticobasal Degeneration and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, as well as their caregivers.
Date: 3rd Thursday of March, June, September and December
Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information, please email Emily Zivin, LCSW, at emily.zivin@northwestern.edu.

Wilson's Disease Support Group

Date: Last Thursday of the months of April, July and October
Time: 7-8 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information, please email Emily Zivin, LCSW, at emily.zivin@northwestern.edu.

First Tuesday Virtual Exercise

Date: 1^st Tuesday of the month
Time: 11am-12 p.m. (CT)
Location: This is an virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Dancing with Parkinson's

Date: Offered at various times throughout the year
Location: The Joffrey Studios South Loop, 1920 S. Wabash Chicago, IL 60616
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Music Therapy for PD

Date: Offered at various times throughout the year
Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
Cost: Free
Contact: For more information and to register, visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.

Parkinson's Players - Instructional Golf

Dates: Tuesdays in May, June, July, August, and September
Time: 5:00 pm to 5:50 pm
Location: Diversey Driving Range, 141 West Diversey Parkway, Chicago
Cost: None

Parkinson's Players – Cardio Tennis

Dates: Tuesdays in May, June, July, August and September
Time: 4:00 pm to 4:50 pm
Location: Diversey Driving Range and Tennis Courts, 141 West Diversey Parkway, Chicago
Cost: None

Parkinson's Players – Instructional Ping Pong

Dates: Saturdays in December, January, February, March and April
Time: 11:15 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Edgewater Fitness Center, 1106 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago
Cost: None

Northwestern Medicine HD Support Group

This Huntington's Disease support group is held the second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. (CT) via Zoom. On odd months, it's a caregiver support group; on even months, it focuses on general HD support. Register to join the group and contact Emily Zivin, LCSW, at emily.zivin@northwestern.edu for more information.

For the months that we are hosting education sessions, we will be hosting a support group after the education session. Dates of upcoming sessions are listed below.

Saturday, April 9: Asymptomatic Gene-Positive

Please join Seth Rotberg as he shares his HD journey. This will be an interactive session for individuals who are asymptomatic gene-positive. The general HD support group will follow this education session. Please register in advance.

Saturday, August 13: Couples Retreat

Please join Emily Zivin as she provides an interactive education session for couples to talk about their HD journey together with other couples in the community. The general HD support group will follow this education session. Please register in advance.