Gathering Recap: July 2025 Support Meetings
In a commendable effort to support those affected by Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's NSW has launched a series of online support groups tailored to different participant groups and needs. These groups provide a platform for discussion, education, and mutual support, covering a broad spectrum of topics from medical and allied health perspectives to care strategies, psychosocial support, and treatment options.
The flagship support group, "Let's Talk Parkinson's", occurs every two months and is presented by health and allied health professionals. Topics range from managing Parkinson's, symptom management, and treatments, with each session featuring a discussion and Q&A. These sessions are recorded and available in the "Living Well with Parkinson’s" video library on YouTube.
For carers or spouses of people with Parkinson’s, there is the exclusive "Carers Chat" meeting, held monthly and facilitated by Parkinson's NSW counsellors. Past topics have included empathy burnout, Carer Gateway services, panic attacks, journalling, resilience, and mindfulness. Due to the intimate nature of these discussions, they are not recorded.
Individuals diagnosed under the age of 65 living with Parkinson's are catered to through the "Early/Young Onset Parkinson’s" group, which holds quarterly meetings featuring discussions with health and allied health professionals. These sessions are recorded but only shared with registered participants.
For those considering or who have had Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or advanced therapies like Apomorphine or Duadopa, quarterly meetings are available. These meetings are facilitated by a health professional and recordings are only shared with registered participants.
Upcoming support group visits include Murwillumbah, Narrabri, Macarthur, and Orange. To join any of these groups or receive updates about all support groups, including the DBS and Advanced Therapies meetings, interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to supportgroups@our website.
These online support groups offer a valuable resource for those living with Parkinson's and their carers, providing a supportive community and valuable information about living well with the condition. Additionally, online courses such as the Parkinson’s MOOC provide in-depth knowledge about symptoms, treatments, research developments, and living well strategies.
In the health-and-wellness sector, Parkinson's NSW has integrated science-based discussions into their support groups, such as the "Let's Talk Parkinson's" online meet-ups that are led by professionals in the medical and allied health fields. Moreover, these initiatives extend to mental-health focused groups like the "Carers Chat" monthly meetings, designed specifically for those caring for individuals with Parkinson's disease, which are facilitated by Parkinson's NSW counsellors.
