Support Groups And Classes
UConn Health offers a full range of seminars, classes, and support groups to help you manage your health.
Baby Steps Bereavement Support Group
This group is led by a family who has experienced loss, along with nursing staff from Connecticut Childrens Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
First Tuesday of each month 6:30 to 8 p.m.Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capital Avenue, HartfordContact or www.maciegracefoundation.org.
Bladder Cancer Support Group
BCAN.org is a great resource and with the absence of in person meetings, the group has been passing along valuable information. Interested patients can contact Guy or Jean via email at and they will send you info on meetings and resources.
Brain Aneurysm Support Group
In partnership with the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, UConn Health now offers an educational setting to provide support for patients and survivors of brain aneurysms, as well as caregivers, family and friends. Attendees will discuss recovery topics and learn about helpful resources, all in an environment to foster reassurance and personal exchange.
Fourth Thursday of each month 3 to 4 p.m.Outpatient Pavilion, 6th Floor Large Conference Room, UConn HealthContact Deb Feigenbaum, M.S.W., LCSW, at or .
Breast Cancer Support Group
This group is intended for patients under the age of 50 who have been diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer.
Third Thursday of each month via Zoom 7 to 8 p.m.For more information or to register, email .
Cardiac Support Group
Lupus Support Group
Start With Family & Friends
Asking for help is hard for most people this is true whether you have Parkinson’s disease or not. Start by reaching out to trusted family members and friends who can make time to listen and help.
Meet with loved ones who youâre comfortable opening up to, those who won’t become uncomfortable with sharing feelings, venting frustrations, and discussing fears. Try to schedule regular meetups with these individuals, even if it’s just a daily phone call, a weekly walk through the park, or a monthly lunch or dinner.
Hospital For Special Care Online Support Group
When: Meets the 4th Wednesday each month at 3:00 PMWhere: The Residence at Brookside, 117 Simsbury Road, AvonContact: Krisztina Jarai, 860-470-8268
When: Meets the 2nd Friday of the month at 11:oo AMWhere: Atria Darien, 50 Ledge Road, DarienContact: Waiting for new facilitator.
East Hartford-Beat PD Today
When: Meets 1st Saturday of the month at 10:30 amWhere: 102 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
East Hartford Online support, please email facilitator.
Ellington-Moving Forward with Parkinsons
When: Meets the 2nd Friday each month at 11:00 AM.Where: The Ivy at Ellington, 123 West Road, EllingtonContact: Mary Palmer, 860-926-4080
Fairfield County-Online support-please call facilitator.
When: Meets the 3rd Tuesday each month at 7:00 PM.-Shakers Anonymous GroupWhat/Where:Young Onset & Young at Heart New Canaan YMCA: 564 South Ave
Farmington-Online support-please call facilitator & in-person.
When: Meets the 2nd Friday of the month at 10:30 AMWhere: Anthology of Farmington, 1 Bridgewater Road, FarmingtonContact: Holly Seymour, 860-507-7712
When: Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 11:00 AM.Where: The Hearth at Glastonbury, 281 Western Blvd., GlastonburyContact: Sue York, 860-430-9938
When: First Tuesday each month at 12:00 PM.Where: VNA Community Healthcare: 753 Boston Post Rd, GuilfordContact: Tracy Blanford,When: Second Thursday of the month at 10:30 amWhere: VNA Community Healthcare: 753 Boston Post Rd., GuilfordContact: Jenna Weinberg,
Mystic
Shelton
Vernon
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Thanks For Signing Up
We are proud to have you as a part of our community. To ensure you receive the latest Parkinsons news, research updates and more, please check your email for a message from us. If you do not see our email, it may be in your spam folder. Just mark as not spam and you should receive our emails as expected.
Find Out What’s Happening In Westportwith Free Real
“It is important that people who are affected by Parkinson’s disease have a place to turn to for help,” said Marlane Argianas, Resident Services Coordinator at The Watermark at 3030 Park. “In addition to our monthly support group, we hope our new, weekly exercise class will become an additional resource for people suffering the effects of Parkinson’s disease.”
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When And Where Can I Receive Services
SPEAK OUT!® is available by appointment with one of our trained speech-language pathologists. LOUD Crowd® is offered weekdays at several outpatient Hartford Healthcare Rehabilitation Network locations throughout the state.
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Vernon Mondays 12:00 pm 1:00 pmWednesdays 3:30 pm 4:30 pm |
Windham Family Health Center |
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Tuesdays 4:00 pm 5:00 pm |
Norwich-Backus Hospital Outpatient Care Center 111 Salem Turnpike |
| Wednesdays 11:00 am 12:00 pm |
Meriden |
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Tuesdays 11:30 am 12:15 pm Thursdays 3:00 pm 3:45 pm |
Torrington-Skytop Fax: 860.496.0036 |
Starting A Support Group
Some tips to help you start your own support group:
Choose the group’s target audience.Is it just for people with Parkinson’s, or are care partners and family members invited as well? If you live in a larger city, you can consider gearing the meeting toward a more specific group, such as people with young-onset Parkinson’s disease.Churches, community centers, libraries and other spaces with meeting rooms are great choices. Because members may want to share personal stories, more public spaces like coffee shops and restaurants may not be ideal. You can also decide if your group should meet monthly, twice a month or even weekly.
Figure out a format for the meetings. Will there be one “leader” who facilitates discussions or will members take turns hosting the meeting? From time to time, try to schedule guest speakers such as area neurologists and allied care professionals, like physical therapists and nutritionists. If there are exercise groups for people with Parkinson’s in your area, invite them to give a demonstration and share their services. Of course, leave plenty of time for simply chatting about life with Parkinson’s disease, too.
Spread the word. Ask your doctor if you can share flyers in the office, and let your local hospitals know about the group, too. Bring flyers to libraries, coffee shops and other community spaces. If you’re tech-savvy, start a Facebook group or page, or make a basic website. These are also good ways to keep in touch with members.
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Hartford Healthcare Is Proud To Announce That The Chase Family Movement Disorders Center Was Recently Appointed As An Information & Referral Center By The American Parkinson Disease Association
This Center serves as a resource for those with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones as well as healthcare providers.
Chase Family Movement Disorders Center is 1 of 22 Information and Referral Centers in the entire country! Patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and the greater community can receive support regardless of their affiliation with Hartford HealthCare or any other medical facility.
The Center has a dedicated Information and Referral Center Coordinator, Rachael Geoffrion, who connects and provides resources from the state and national organization directly to the patient and family. She is under the medical direction of Dr. Joy DeMarcaida, Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist associated with Chase Family Movement Disorders Center of Hartford HealthCare.
Parkinsons Support Group Moves Into Your Living Room Virtually
As the COVID-19 pandemic caused most people to self-isolate in their homes, it became important to healthcare providers to reach their patients in new and creative ways.
Dr. Su Kanchana, a board-certified movement disorders neurologist who joined the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center in Vernon in late winter, had just started seeing patients when practices were closed due to the virus. Appointments became virtual and she was working from her home.
I wanted to support for people with Parkinsons disease and their care partners who were dealing with the stress of the pandemic, said Dr. Kanchana who, in the first few weeks of the Covid-19 shutdown, began an online support group.
On the first and third Fridays of each month at 1 p.m., she hosts what she calls the Parkinsons Living Room. People can join via their computer or phone from the privacy and convenience of their home.
Dr. Kanchana is not new to support groups, having begun one in Big Flats, N.Y., when there was none in a two-hour radius. The group grew large and people joined from quite a distance.
Parkinsons disease is not an individual condition it involves family and friends, she said. Support groups provide a gathering that people can meet with people with like experiences. It is a safe and comfortable place, and should be fun and educational too.
For more information about the support, please contact Susan Lather at or .
For information on the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center, click here.
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Parkinsons Support Group On Hold
The Parkinsons Support Group is an opportunity for all individuals with Parkinsons disease and/or their caregivers to discuss research, community resources, and therapeutic programs. Come be part of the conversation!
When: Third Tuesday of every month, 3:00 pmContact: Lindsay Pratt-Bluemle, LCSW, 860-612-6316
Parkinsons Disease And Movement Disorders Center
Our Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Center is directed by Dr. Bernardo Rodrigues, a fellowship-trained expert in the management of Parkinsons Disease and other movement disorders including tremors, dystonia, tic disorders, restless legs syndrome, and Huntingtons Disease.
For information about the conditions treated in the Movement Disorders Center, please look under Conditions and Treatments. Please call or request an appointment online to schedule a visit to our clinic.
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Torrington Parkinson’s Support Group Holding 10th Annual ‘walk In The Woods’
More than 100 professionals and members of the Litchfield community gathered at Brandywine Living at Litchfield in 2019 for a fundraiser for the Torrington Area Parkinsons Support group. The group will host its tenth annual Walk in the Woods for Parkinsons at White Memorial Conservation Center, Route 202 in Litchfield, Sept. 19, 2021. Registration begins at noon.
TORRINGTON The Torrington Area Parkinsons Support Group will host its tenth annual Walk in the Woods for Parkinsons at White Memorial Conservation Center, Route 202 in Litchfield, Sept. 19. Registration begins at noon.
The walk steps off at 1 p.m. along three routes of .5, 1 and 2 miles. Proceeds from the event will benefit area people with Parkinsons disease and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Research, which strives to improve treatments and find a cure for Parkinsons disease.
Walk in the Woods donations may be made directly to TAPSG. Members say they hope to raise $25,000 for local programming for PD patients, to elevate community awareness of Parkinsons disease, to provide an afternoon of exercise, entertainment and outdoor fun at White Memorial Conservation Center, and to contribute to Parkinsons research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for PD Research.
Families may picnic on the grounds throughout the afternoon. Family field activities, baked goods, ticketed drawings, and silent auction will be provided, along with the Litchfield Fire Department, and a face-painting booth.
I Have Parkinsons Disease When Should I Begin Seeing A Speech
According to studies, up to 89% of people with Parkinsons disease develop difficulty communicating, and up to 95% develop difficulty swallowing. To postpone and prevent this decline, it is optimal to begin speech therapy as soon as possible. Participation in SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd® can change the effects that Parkinsons disease has on your voice. Muscles become weak because they are not used to their full capacity, not because Parkinsons in making them weak. SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd® requires you to use the muscles for speaking and swallowing to their full potential.
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What Other Speech Therapy Services Can I Receive
In addition to SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd®, HHCRN offers additional services to improve and maintain your speech, voice, swallowing, and cognitive-communication skills.
Respiratory Muscle Training
A rehabilitative treatment approach known as Respiratory Muscle Training incorporates the principles of exercise to improve cough function, voice, and swallow safety. A hand-held device called the Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer , is used to increase the strength of the respiratory muscles.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Speech therapy can also address language and cognitive issues that can occur in Parkinsons disease, such as thinking of the words you want to use, forming complete sentences, memory, and concentration. Our clinicians work with clients to develop an individualized approach to functional daily problems, including compensatory strategies and a home program.
Swallowing Assessments and Rehabilitation
The speech-language pathologist is often the rehabilitation professional who will assist you in maintaining good swallowing function and preventing food or liquid from entering your airway through treatment techniques. If necessary, specialized diagnostic swallowing assessments such as Modified Barium Swallow Studies or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing studies can be completed. The speech-language pathologist will also provide state-of-the-art dysphagia treatment programs to exercise and strengthen the muscles you use for swallowing.
Torrington Area Parkinsons Support Group
The Torrington Area Parkinsons Support Group recently organized to fill a local need for new information on and solutions related to Parkinson’s disease. Our meetings are held every fourth Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM at the Sullivan Senior Center located in Torrington.
Meetings include speakers from health care professions and local support services organizations, as well as separate group sessions for both the caregiver and caretaker.
Our Northwestern Connecticut area parkinsons support group meetings are open to those who have Parkinsons disease, their caregivers, their family and friends, and other interested parties.
For more information contact Sue Pelchat at 860-201-7913 or Ann Quattrocchi at 860-309-6336 or Carol Pathe at 860-482-4610
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Other Places To Find Support
Support groups aren’t for everyone. If they don’t appeal to you, there’s no need to force it. If you were involved in community, religious or hobby-based organizations in your life before Parkinson’s, keep up those ties and friendships. In addition, educating yourself about Parkinson’s, and getting involved with local or national Parkinson’s organizations, can be ways to meet people who share some experiences with you without joining a support group.
Find Support in the Parkinsons Buddy Network
Create connections and find community online in the Parkinsons Buddy Network. Were building an online support system, one buddy at a time.
Supportive Care And Planning
The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center at UConn Health is rolling out a new program called Supportive Care and Planning and will be offered to all Parkinsons disease patients from the time of diagnosis and onward throughout the course of their disease.
What Is SCP?
It is a visit that focuses on improving your knowledge of Parkinsons disease, including diagnosis, prognosis, and management. It also focuses on exploring your needs and goals for care, both short and long-term. The SCP visits are in addition to the medical care you are already receiving from our neurologists, to help provide you and your family with additional support and resources.
During your initial SCP visit, you will meet with our APRN and social worker to identify your needs and goals for care. Based on your needs, we may provide resources to community services and specialists, including but not limited to home care, social services, rehabilitation, psychiatry, dietitians, and chaplain services. Your visit may also include an initial discussion of advance care planning documentation such as advance directives.
Neha Prakash, M.D.
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Finding The Right Group
If you’re feeling frustrated about life with Parkinson’s disease, being part of a support group can be one of the best ways to reduce stress and connect with others who can relate to your experience. Care partners and family members also benefit from sharing questions and concerns with like-minded others.
Many resources are available to help you find a support group, including your neurologist or physician , local hospitals , community calendars in local newspapers, and websites of national Parkinson’s disease organizations.
Not all support groups are right for everyone, however. For starters, they come in different formats, ranging from large, formal meetings to smaller “living-room” get-togethers. If you don’t like the first group you find, it’s worth looking for one that suits you better. If you can’t find a group you like in your area, consider starting one. If you are unsatisfied with the available options, you’re probably not the only one feeling that way.
How Do I Schedule An Appointment
Ask your primary care doctor or neurologist for a referral for speech therapy and have them fax it to any of the Hartford Healthcare Rehabilitation Network locations listed above. Once sent, you can schedule your appointment directly with the clinic of your choice. For further information on any of our programs, please contact Sylvia Fisher, Speech Pathology Program Manager at or email .
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What Is A Parkinsons Support Group
A Parkinsonâs support group consists of individuals whose lives have all been affected by the disease. They may have been diagnosed with Parkinsonâs, they may have family members with the condition, or those who work to help people with the disease. During meetings, people share their experiences, thoughts, struggles, advice, and triumphs in an effort to guide and motivate those going through similar situations.
Everyone Living With Et Is Welcome Including Family Members And Friends
Our next Essential Tremor Support Group meeting is scheduled for 1:00 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4th. As much as wed love to meet in person, well continue to monitor the situation closely and will likely meet via Zoom. Our speaker and topic will be announced shortly but we do hope youll save the date and plan to join us!
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Diabetes Q& a With Nurse Ann
Have you been diagnosed with Diabetes? Pre-Diabetes? Anne Bernick, RN, will answer your questions and provide information to help you manage this chronic disease. Please call 203-265-7753 to register for this class.
- Held on: Every 3rd Monday of the month at 1:30 pm
- Location: Wallingford Senior Center