Oregon health Q&A: How to find Portland-area support group for Parkinson’s patients?

Questions are answered by experts at the Oregon Health Authority, other state agencies or community partners. Questions and answers are republished by permission.

Q:

Are there support groups for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the Portland area?



– Patty, Portland

A:

Patty,

Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon

(PRO) offers virtual and in-person

support groups

in locations around Oregon. Looking at

their June calendar

of support groups, I see in-person groups in the Portland area in Beaverton, Milwaukie, Clackamas, Hillsboro and Vancouver, and I see several virtual Zoom options as well.

You can call their main office in Beaverton at 503-594-0901 for more information.

From the PRO website:

“Reaching out to PRO is a first step to taking on Parkinson’s disease on your own terms. Join a group or learn from home. Our programs are designed to support you and your family every step of the way with the resources, encouragement and education necessary.”

Also, the

Pacific Northwest chapter

of the Parkinson’s Foundation has this

event page

, which includes many free options. You might first call their toll-free helpline at 800-473-4636, or the PNW chapter directly at 206-558-2597


for more information.

To cover your bases, you could also call Oregon’s

Aging and Disability Resource Connection

and ask about Parkinson’s-related resources, including support groups. ADRC serves the entire state and does have local offices (on

this map

), but we suggest calling the main toll-free number — 855-673-2372. There’s a good chance they will tell you about some of the same support groups offered by PRO, but they may have other suggestions as well.

If you have questions about health topics for the Oregon Health Authority,


submit your question here


. Although the agency is unable to answer every question, it will try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that OHA is unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.

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