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: 1:45pm-3:00pm (CT)
- Location: This is an virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: Visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.
Parkinson’s Disease Care Partner Support Group
- Date: Second Wednesday of the month (virtual) and 4th Wednesday of the month (in-person)
- Time: (Virtual) 2-3:30 pm (CT) (In-person) 1:30-3pm (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. The in-person group meets at Lavin Family Pavilion. Register below.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: 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 pm (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: 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 am - 12 pm (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: Visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.
Chair Yoga
- Date: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of the month
- Time: 11 am -12 pm (CT)
- Location: This is an virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: Visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.
Parkinson’s Disease 101
- About: This informational class provides an overview of Parkinson’s Disease, including the history, causes, symptoms and treatments.
- Date: April 29 and November 18
- Time: 4-5:30 pm (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. Register below.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: Visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.
Parkinson’s Disease 201
- About: This informational class provides a deeper understanding of medications, treatments and advanced therapies available in the management of Parkinson’s disease.
- Date: TBA
- Time: 4-5:30 pm (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. Register below.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: Visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.
Art Therapy
- Date: Third Monday of the month
- Time: 10-11 am (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: 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: $150 for a 10-week session
- Contact: Visit our Northwestern Medicine page or email movementdisorders@nm.org.
Atypical Parkinson’s Support Group
- About: This group is for people with Multiple System Atrophy, Corticobasal Degeneration and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and their caregivers.
- Date: 3rd Thursday of March, June, September and December
- Time: 1:30-2:30 pm (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. Register below.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: 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 pm (CT)
- Location: This is a virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: Emily Zivin, LCSW, at emily.zivin@northwestern.edu.
First Tuesday Virtual Exercise
- Date: 1st Tuesday of the month
- Time: 11am-12 pm (CT)
- Location: This is an virtual/online group. Once registered, you will be given information to join the group.
- Cost: Free
- Contact: 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: 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: 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.