NPFOCC What is Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinson's Disease

About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurological condition. It is a slowly progressive disease that affects a small area of cells in the mid-brain known as the substantia nigra. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes a reduction in a vital chemical known as dopamine. This decrease in dopamine can produce one or more of the classic signs of Parkinson's disease: resting tremors on one side of the body; generalized slowness of movement (bradykinesia); stiffness of limbs (rigidity); and gait or balance problems. There are many more symptoms that can possibly affect a patient, including changes in handwriting, gait, facial expressions, speech, and more. Few patients experience all of these symptoms, and some may experience other signs. It is critical to stress that both the nature and severity of symptoms vary tremendously from one patient to another. A patient should not assume he or she will experience all symptoms described, since this rarely is the case.

It is estimated that up to 1,500,000 Americans are affected, more persons than those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy combined. Although 15% of patients are diagnosed before age 50, PD is generally considered a disease which targets older adults. Parkinson's disease affects one of every 100 persons over the age of 60. Thanks to public health strides and healthier lifestyle choices, many Americans now live well into their eighties, adding to the impression that the incidence of Parkinson's disease is increasing.

While there is, as yet no cure for this condition, progressive treatments allow many patients to maintain a high level of function throughout their lifetimes.

Click on an item below to view that group's details.

For any questions regarding our Support Groups or Programs, please contact us at (949) 764-6998

Support Groups by Location:

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Support Groups by Location

Anaheim:
1st Wednesday each month
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Anaheim Senior Center
250 E. Center St., Anaheim
(714) 765-4510 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Lou & Joan Belanger

Anaheim:
Family, Friends & Caregiver Parkinson Support Network
1st Tuesday of each month
10:30AM - 12:00Noon
Joan Belanger's House
Please call Joan prior to attending
(714) 827-2808
Facilitators: Joan Belanger
*This group will focus on support and information exchange. The group is open to family members, care-partners and friends of people with Parkinson's.
**This is not a group for individuals with Parkinson's.

Brea:
Dancing with DuFaults
Every Monday
10:00AM - 11:30AM
Brea Baptist Church
217 E. Birch St., Brea 92821
(714) 255-9877
Facilitators: Robert & Nancy DuFault

Charles S. Anderson Claremont:
Last Thursday each month
10:30AM - 12:00PM
The Claremont Club
1777 Monte Vista Ave., Claremont
(909) 625-6791 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Roy Trujillo & Patti Jacks

Claremont Young Onset Support Group:
3rd Saturday each month
10:00AM - 12:00PM
The Claremont Club
17777 Monte Vista Ave., Claremont
(909) 625-6791 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Todd Bischoff & Bonnie Varian

Corona Del Mar
Oasis Support Group:
2nd & 4th Fridays each month
10:30AM - 12:00PM
The Oasis Senior Center
801 Narcissus Ave., Corona Del Mar
(949) 644-3244 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Al Douglas & Mike McNamara

Dana Point/San Clemente:
4th Tuesday each month
2:00PM - 3:30PM
Aegis of Dana Point
26922 Camino De Estrella, Dana Point
(949) 488-2650 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Mignone Trenary

Fullerton:
Korean/American Parkinson's Support Network
2nd Friday each month
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Fullerton Senior Center
340 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton
(714) 317-7484 or (714) 255-1098
Facilitators: Livia Kim & Augustine Lee
*This group is conducted in the Korean language.

Huntington Beach:
3rd Monday each month
2:00PM - 3:30PM
Huntington Landmark
8941 Atlanta St., Huntington Beach
(714) 960-5475 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitator: Gwen TeGantvoort,
Vickie Sharp & Lisa LeGrand

Irvine:
3rd Wednesday each month
10:30AM - 12:00PM
Lakeview Community Center
20 Lake Rd., Irvine
(949) 724-6900 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Karen Wibbens & Carol Lovely

Irvine:
Coffee & Chat:
Every Tuesday
10:30AM - 12:00PM
Atria Woodbridge
One Witherspoon, Irvine
((949) 654-8500 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Karen Wibbens & Carol Lovely

Irvine:
Iranian Support Team for Parkinson's Disease (IST PD):
2nd Tuesday of each month
5:00PM - 6:30PM
Hoag Hospital Irvine
16200 Sand Canyon Road
Classroom #1
(949) 517-3000 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Amir Rouhani & Jim Navai
*This group is conducted in the Farsi language.

Laguna Hills:
Tremble Clefs
Meets every Monday
9:30AM - 11:00AM
Florence Sylvester Senior Center
23721 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills
(949) 458-7042 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitator: Karen Skipper
*This is a singing group for speech and swallowing therapy for patients and caregivers.

Lake Forest:
Saddleback Faith Based Support Group
2nd & 4th Wednesdays
2:00PM - 4:00PM
Saddleback Church
1 Saddleback Parkway, Lake Forest
(949) 830-4546 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Nancy & Lee Penney & Wanda Miller

Newport Beach:
Family, Friends & Caregiver Parkinson Support Network
1st Monday of each month
10:30AM - 12:00Noon
520 Superior Ave., Conference Rm #2
Newport Beach
(949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Mignone Trenary, Carol Lovely & Tina Precht
*This group will focus on support and information exchange. The group is open to family members, care-partners and friends of people with Parkinson's.
**This is not a group for individuals with Parkinson's.

Newport Beach:
Surgery Discussion Group
3rd Thursday of each month
10:30AM - 12:00Noon
520 Superior Ave., Conference Rm #2
Newport Beach
(949) 764-6998
Facilitators: Mignone Trenary, Martha Richardson & Tina Precht

Newport Beach:
Dancing with DuFaults
Every Monday
1:00PM - 2:30PM
520 Superior, Newport Beach
Hoag Rehab (949) 764-5645
Facilitators: Robert & Nancy DuFault

Newport Beach:
Exercise Class- Parkinson Disease and the Art of Moving
An exercise program to increase flexibility, strength, balance and coordination, based on principles of John Argue.

Every Tuesday
1:15PM - 2:45PM
520 Superior, Newport Beach
Hoag Rehab (949) 764-5645

Rancho Santa Margarita:
3rd Thursday each month
6:00PM - 7:30PM
The Bell Tower Plaza
22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita
(949) 216-9700 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitator: Mignone Trenary

Seal Beach:
1st Monday each month
1:30PM - 3:00PM
Leisure World
Clubhouse #3 - Room #2
1901 Golden Rain, Seal Beach
(562) 431-6586 or (949) 764-6998
Facilitator: Charles Huff & Pat Robinson