Support Groups

Orange Coast Memorial’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Support Groups

Young Onset Parkinson's Disease Support Group

When: First Thursday of every month, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Orange Coast Memorial Health and Wellness Pavilion, Newport Conference Room

The Young Onset Parkinson’s Support Group is designed to reach those who are newly diagnosed and under the age of 60. This group is designed to help patients and their families understand and cope with Parkinson’s symptoms. This support group offers guest speakers, education, and a time to share and learn with your fellow PD community. For more information, please call (714) 378-5022.

Parkinson's Disease Support Group

When: Third Thursday of every month, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Where: Orange Coast Memorial Health and Wellness Pavilion, West Coast Conference Room

Our Parkinson’s support group is designed to help patients and their families understand and cope with Parkinson’s symptoms. This support group offers guest speakers, education, and a time to share and learn with your fellow Parkinson’s community.

Refreshments are served and caregivers are welcome. For more information, please call (714) 378-5022.

Caregiver Support Group

When: Second and Fourth Tuesday of every month, 9:30 – 10:30am

Where: Orange Coast Memorial Health and Wellness Pavilion, South Coast Conference Room

This Parkinson’s support group is designed to help caregivers come to a better understanding of Parkinson’s disease, learn tools for providing care and communicating with their loved one, and discuss ways to take better care of themselves. This support group will provide caregivers with the opportunity to discuss their questions and concerns with sympathetic listeners who share their experiences. For more information, please call (714) 378-5022.

Dance for Parkinson's

When: Every Monday, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: Orange Coast Memorial Mariposa Plaza, 18225 Brookhurst Street, Suite 12

Dance for Parkinson’s, based on the Mark Morris Dance Group’s acclaimed Dance for PD model, offers dance classes for people with Parkinson’s disease. Participants are empowered to explore movement and music in ways that are refreshing, enjoyable, stimulating and creative. For more information, please call (714) 378-5022.

Steps Forward - A Parkinson's Exercise Class

When: Every Tuesday and Friday, 9:15 – 10 a.m. or 10:15 – 11am

Where: Orange Coast Memorial Mariposa Plaza, 18225 Brookhurst Street, Suite 12

This exercise class focuses on strengthening, stretching and balance exercises specifically designed for Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. Participants may register for and attend on session, per day. Please call (714) 378-5022 to register.

Other Support Groups

Spasmodic Torticollis Support Group

The Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia) Support Group of Orange County is sponsored by the Orange Coast Memorial Hospital and organized by the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association (NSTA). The group was initially organized over 10 years ago. Many torticollis patients meet with the group to share their experiences. Under the slogan, "You are not alone" the NSTA has served as a source of information to many torticollis sufferers. The Orange County group meetings are announced on the NSTA website on the following link:

http://www.torticollis.org/orange-county-california/

For more information you may call the NSTA at (714) 622-5446 or email at NSTAmail@aol.com. The mailing address of the NSTA is located at 9900 Talbert Ave. Fountain Valley, CA 92708

The Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Foundation

The Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Foundation (PMDF) was founded in 1998 in Orange County, California by Daniel Truong, M.D. PMDF's mission is to support basic and clinical research into the causes and treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders such as dystonia, myoclonus, spasticity, and tremor which will ultimately help us find a cure.
The foundation is committed to working with other organizations with similar philosophies in an effort to bring together expertise from both basic and clinical science perspectives.
They are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those who suffer from movement disorders and their families, through research, education, and community outreach.
The Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Foundation (PMDF) raises funds throughout the year and since its founding has granted over $280,000 in funding to support important research taking place in organizations throughout the world. For more information you may call the PMDF at (714) 369-7426 or email Vitranpmdf@yahoo.com. www.pmdf.org.

Orange County Support Group

The Orange County American Parkinson's Disease Association Support Group meets at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, 9920 Talbert Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.

The next meeting is the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Contact Teri Brown - APDA Coordinator (714) 378-5022.

The Orange County Parkinson Information and Referral Center has also booklets and publications about Parkinson's disease available to PD patients at no charge.

YOPD Support Group:

The next meeting is every first Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m
Contact: Teri Brown (714) 378-5022.

Laguna Hills Can Do Club

24451 Health Center Dr. Laguna Hills, CA
The next meeting is every 4th Thursday of the month
Contact Teri Brown (714) 378-5022

Long Beach, Los Angeles County Support Group

The PMDI in conjunction with the American Parkinson's Disease Association has recently formed a support group in Long Beach area and meets the second Wednesday of the month in the Human Resources Classroom (enter Rehab Hospital Entrance) of the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center at 2801 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach.

The Long Beach Parkinson Information and Referral Center has also booklets and publications about Parkinson's disease available to PD patients at no charge (PD Publications).

There is no charge for attending the Support Groups. Pre-registration is not required. Refreshments are served. Each month a different topic pertaining to Parkinson's disease or a related subject is discussed.

Any questions, please feel free to call Teri Brown (714) 378-5022. (The information presented at Support Groups is for educational purposes only; this information is not meant to be a substitute for the advice from your own physician or other healthcare provider.)