Greater Rochester NY Area Parkinson Support Groups

Eastside Parkinson Support Group
When: First Wednesday of each month, 1:30PM-3:00PM
Where: Fairport Public Library, 1 Fairport Village Landing, Fairport
Contact: chazimm@gmail.com or choefen5@gmail.com
Featured speakers, informative group discussions, all are welcome.

PD Support Group
When: First Thursday of each month, 4-5:30PM
Where: Lifespan of Greater Rochester, 1900 S. Clinton Avenue, Rochester
Contact: mberk@lifespan-roch.org, 585-281-9652

(Leave a message to receive a call back.)

Parkinson Support Group of the Finger Lakes (PSGFL)
When: Last Wednesday of each month, 1PM
Where: Wood Library, 134 North Main St., Canandaigua
Contact: psgfl2002@gmail.com

Topical presentations, followed by separate discussion groups for People with Parkinson's (PWP) and Care Partners.

PSGFL (Zoom groups)
PWP-only group, second Wednesday of each month, 1:00 PM
Care Partner-only group, third Wednesday of month, 2:00 PM
Zoom links and meeting/passcode information is available at PSGFL's website.

Rochester Regional Health PD Education & Support Group
When: Third Wednesday of each month, 1PM
Where: 2655 Ridgeway Avenue, Suite 140, Rochester
Contact: sarah.wolf2@rochesterregional.org or 585-368-6679

Hybrid format (in person and zoom), with topical presentations followed by open group discussion. All are welcome.

Southern Tier PD Support Group
When: Third Thursday of each month, 1:30-3:00PM
Where: Silver Spoon Cafe, Schuyler County Human Services Complex, 323 Owego St., Montour Falls
Contact Schuyler County Office for the Aging to confirm time and location:
ofa@co.schuyler.ny.us or 607-535-7108
All are welcome. Montour Falls is located in the Finger Lakes, ~1.75 hours SE of Rochester.

Wellness 360 Caregivers Support Group
When: Last Tuesday of each month, 4-5PM
Where: Webster Rec Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, Webster
Contact: phillipsjeanne74@gmail.com or beth@wellness360fitness.com
This is a supportive & uplifting group devoted to caregivers for people with varied diagnoses.
Supervised fun is available nearby for your loved one.

Westside Support Group
When: Second Tuesday of each month, 1-2:30PM
Where: Chili Community Center, 3237 Chili Ave, Rochester
Contact: Mike Shafer at 585-330-1606
All are welcome!

Women with PD Support Group (in-person)
When: Fourth Monday of each month, 1-2:30 PM
Where: 111 Hillside Ave, Rochester
Contact: chazimm@gmail.com or byvonnes@earthlink.net
Women with PD gather to share experiences and support one another. Please note that holidays might impact the schedule.

Women with PD Support Group (Zoom)
When: Third Monday of each month, 12-1PM (Sep15, Oct20, Nov17, Dec15)
Contact: byvonnes@earthlink.net for Zoom link.

Young at Heart Support Group
When: First Monday of each month, 4-5:30PM
April-October in person at Irondequoit Public Library, Room 216, Rochester~
November-March ~Zoom only~
Contact: byvonnes@earthlink.net
All are welcome. Please note that holidays might impact the schedule.

Young Onset Parkinson Network
Education, insights, blog, virtual monthly meetings, world class speakers for people diagnosed at a young age no matter their current age.
https://yopnetwork.org/Join

Recently Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease?

PDF

Group Objectives

To help participants:

Feel less isolated and more connected.
Create a personal care plan.
Learn stress reduction strategies.
Learn about and practice healthy coping skills.
Improve communication skills and self-advocacy.

Julie Bartlett is a licensed mental health counselor with over 35 years of experience providing individual counseling, group counseling and consultation. For more information on this free service, contact her at 585.615.6844 or jcbartlett28@gmail.com. The next session will begin in Spring 2026.

Also visit:
Recently Diagnosed | Online Guide
Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Clinic (IPMDC) offers Recently Diagnosed programs, designed specifically for individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s within the last 5 years. These free, virtual sessions provide guidance and support to help you make informed choices regarding your health, knowledge, exercise routines, and lifestyle.

Download "Newly Diagnosed PDF.pdf"

Looking for a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS)?

An MDS is a neurologist who has received specialized training in treating movement disorders,
who tend to be more familiar than other care providers with the full range of symptoms and treatments for Parkinson’s.

University of Rochester
Medical Center

Movement Disorders Unit

Our Team

Neurology Associates
of Rochester

Providing Comprehensive Neurologic Care

Our Providers

Wellness Services

Drive On
DriveOn, is a driving school located in Upstate New York that helps people of all ages and abilities to drive safely and confidently. Whether your goal is to obtain or retain a driver’s license, our driver specialists will train you in a full range of roadway environments
https://www.rochesterrehab.org/driveon

Wellness 360
Wellness 360 offers physical therapy, massage (including myofascial release, deep tissue, and medical massage), mindfulness classes, and group fitness classes.
https://www.wellness360fitness.com/

York Wellness Rehabilitation Institute @ Nazareth University
The York Wellness Rehabilitation Institute at Nazareth University offers pro bono services to individuals with PD who are underserved because of financial, insurance or geographic reasons. Nazareth students, supervised by licensed professionals, provide speech, occupational, physical and music therapy to clients with PD as part of its clinical education programs.
https://www2.naz.edu/york-wellness-rehabilitation-institute/

Mental Health Care

The providers listed below serve clients with chronic illness or medical issues causing emotional difficulties. *

Sigrid Adler, LCSW (Rochester) 585.747.6603
Molly Cypher, LMHC (Pittsford) 585.233.8572
Anne Lenox, LMHC (Brighton) 585.431.1327
Sue Ouellette, LMFT (Rochester) 815.758.0251
UR Older Adult Services (Brighton) 585.273.5050

*Medicare and most insurance plans accepted.

Navigating mental health treatment options can be overwhelming – a clinical psychologist explains why it’s worth the effort (Published: July 8, 2024)

Read the article

Live well with Parkinson's. Get started now.

The Davis Phinney Foundation’s Every Victory Counts® manual has gained international recognition as a superb and comprehensive resource for changing the way people live with Parkinson’s. The Every Victory Counts suite of resources also includes an Every Victory Counts Manual for Care Partners that embraces the philosophy of taking action to improve your quality of life with Parkinson’s.

Similarly, in easy-to-read, downloadable guides, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research offers practical tips and real-world advice for navigating life with Parkinson's disease in Guides for Living Well with Parkinson's.

Order DPF Every Victory Counts Download MJFF Guides for Living Well with Parkinson's

Focus on Local Fitness

Check for locations and times convenient for you.

Rock Steady Boxing

Whole-body exercise that will help your balance and fitness in community. Provides non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum incorporating techniques to improve cognition, vocalization, stamina, strength, and agility. Supports social connection through individual and team dynamics.

RSB directory

Rochester School of Fitness

The Rochester School of Fitness provides comprehensive fitness programming for people of all ages and physical abilities, addressing the critical roles nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices play in achieving a positive self-image and overall wellness.

About RSF's Parkinson's Program

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Wellness 360 Physical Therapy & Massage

Wellness 360 offers multiple exercise classes that are specific to Parkinson’s disease including Rock Steady Boxing, Parkinson’s Cycle, Dance for Parkinson’s, and more.

YMCA

Schottland Family Branch

Offering Parkinson's Optimal Wellness and Boxing for Parkinson's

Learn More

Come join Ping Pong Parkinson!

PDF

The session runs from October 2, 2025 - January 18, 2026 (29 classes).

Classes are held Thursdays and Sundays from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Perinton Community Center, 1350 Turk Hill Road, Perinton (Fairport), NY.

The cost is $65.00 for Perinton residents and $72.00 for nonresidents. Players can register in person at the Perinton Community Center or online at https://webtrac.perinton.org.

Inquiries can be addressed to rochester@pingpongparkinson.org.

Download "PingPongParkinson 4Q25.pdf"

Preparing for a Hospital Stay?

These reliable resources provide checklists and forms that might smooth the way.

Parkinson's Foundation
Hospital Guide

For most people, being in the hospital is a stressful experience. For people with PD, symptoms may get worse, and new symptoms, like confusion or thinking changes, can develop because of stress, infection, fatigue, sleep disturbances, surgery or new medications.

Already a delicate balance, PD symptom management can be even trickier in the hospital because:

People often do not get enough movement opportunities.
Parkinson’s medications may not be given following the at-home schedule.
Medications that worsen PD are sometimes prescribed.
PD medication doses are often delayed or missed.

The Parkinson’s Foundation's Hospital Safety Guide is available to everyone in the Parkinson’s community at no cost to order or download.

Order your free Hospital Safety Guide

Davis Phinney Foundation
Hospital Stays

When you’re living with Parkinson’s, hospital stays—planned or unplanned—require special consideration.

Your motor symptoms can worsen when you are coping with a medical illness in addition to your Parkinson’s; so, during a hospital stay, you might not be able to move as well as you usually can. You might also find that some symptoms, such as tremor, dyskinesia, and freezing, worsen during a hospital stay or emergency room visit.

You can find Parkinson’s checklists, worksheets, and assessments to help you capture and share medical information at the link below. A few to complete and take with you during your hospital stay include “Prepare for Your Hospital Stay,” “Medical Summary for Your Doctor Appointment,” and “Daily Medication Log.”

Also, take with you the “Current Symptoms Summary,” which will make it easier for your hospital care team to understand and recognize your symptoms.

Worksheets, Checklists & Assessments

Rochester Parkinson Network is proud to offer its
Respite Care Grant Program

PDF

This program will provide respite care in the form of paid companion care to eligible care partners of people with Parkinson Disease who reside in the following counties:
Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne

Grant applicants can fill out the application form and submit by email to rpnrespitegrant@gmail.com
or mail to:
Rochester Parkinson Network
PO Box 18606
Rochester, NY 14618

Please note that Acrobat forms may not work on mobile devices because many default PDF viewers on mobile devices don't have the necessary form filling and submission capabilities. Additionally, some web browsers' built-in PDF viewers may also lack the ability to properly handle form fields.

Download "RESPITE CARE GRANT Application_v3_KLH Rev 10172025.pdf"

Click on a logo to visit that site.

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A Growing List of Resources

The resources above have been curated by board members and others within the Rochester Parkinson Network. If you know of a PD-savvy service or informational resource that is not listed, please share it with us.

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