Why Join a Support Group?
Maintaining a Support Group
Contact a Group Near You
Interested in Starting a New Group?

 

Joining a Support Group?

• Purpose of a Support Group: A support group is an effective tool for enhancing your ability to cope with a challenge like Parkinson's. In general, our groups are made up of people living with Parkinson's, their family members and other caregivers. A support group can be a place where ideas for coping with Parkinson's are exchanged and ideas are shared. It is not a replacement for medical attention or advice. Members are cautioned against recommending specific medications, discussing dosages or other medical advice.

The groups are not intended as therapy groups, even though there are times when a member needs to vent their frustrations. In general, the groups are upbeat, with the goal of sharing anecdotes, resource information and good humour. Speakers on a variety of topic are common.

• Self-Help Model: Our groups operate on the self help model with a volunteer facilitator. The facilitator is often a person who has been a group member for a time and has agreed to take on a leadership role. In many groups, the facilitator shares the role with two or three other people who work as a team. All group members are strongly encouraged to get involved with the running of their group.
  
  Our Support groups are self sufficient in terms of their expenses. You may be asked to donate a dollar or two each month to cover room rental (if applicable), coffee and photocopying, etc. Groups usually elect a treasurer to keep track of the group's funds.
  
  
• The Challenge of Joining: Some find the idea of joining a support group challenging, particularily those that are newly diagnosed or those with Young Onset Parkinson's (where diagnosis occurs before the age of 50). Many of our groups have members who have had Parkinson's for 10 or more years, with advanced symptoms. Some people choose to not attend a group out of fear of seeing what might be in their own future. If this is your concern, consider the following:
  • Parkinson's is a unique experience for each person. Factors such as the effectiveness of medication, and the type and severity of the symptoms will differ from person to person.
  • Overall heatlh, age, and the existence of other conditions can affect a person's strength and ability to cope with Parkinson's.
  • Age of onset can make a difference. Those diagnosed before 55 may experience a slower progression of Parkinson's, but there may also have a more difficult time with medication side effects.
  • The ability to exercise and stay active can play a primary role in your ability to cope with Parkinson's.
  • People with adequate support may cope more effectively than a person living in isolation.

Maintaining a Support Group
For tips, strategies and ideas for starting and maintining a support group. Download our Support Group Facilitator Manual

Contact Information

For information on where and when our groups meet, contact the appropriate number below. Membership is free, and all are encouraged to attend.

 

New Brunswick	Nova Scotia	Prince Edward Island
Fredericton Kate Nicholl (506) 363-4112 Grand Lake Maxine Bell (506) 385-2091 Greater Miramichi Judy Morrison (506) 773-7191 Greater Moncton Jack Hotham (506) 854-2727 Restigouche Region John Aucoin (506)753-6160 River Valley (Woodstock) Lorna Stokes (506) 375-6275 Saint John Connie Keyes (506) 672-2489 Sussex Valley Leona Gionet (506) 433-5342 Edmundston Anne Cyr (506) 263-8663 Bouctouche Jean Bastarache (506) 743-8105	Annapolis Valley Ted Teal (902) 681-6811 Antigonish Steve Willumsen (902) 735-2887 Cape Breton East Mary Langlois (902) 539-8592 Cumberland Co. Lola Esterbrooks (902) 661-6196 Halifax/Dartmouth Diane Mahar (902) 704-0754 Halifax Area Caregivers Norma McPherson (902) 445-3449 Lunenburg & Queens Co. Christine McBain (902) 688-1188 Maritime Young Onset Group Peter Davison (902) 835-8162 Pictou County Josephine Jollymore (902) 752-6791 Sackville/Bedford Coleen McGuigan (902) 865-9101 Saint Margaret's Bay Barb Aris (902)876-0588 Truro Jim Gates (902) 895-5227 Yarmouth Mauritta Fevens (902) 307-0848	Charlottetown Dan Steele (902) 368-5652 Eastern PEI Gordon MacKenzie (902) 838-4749

 

Starting a New Group
If you notice that your area does not have a support group of its own, or would benefit from having an additional group (eg. Young Onset, Caregivers, etc) please give our office a call, 1-800-663-2468, and we would be happy to assist you in getting things started!