The Cole Center’s Huntington’s disease (HD) caregiver support group provides a supportive space for family members and care partners of individuals living with HD. Participants can share experiences, learn practical caregiving strategies, access educational resources, and connect with others who understand the emotional, physical, and daily challenges of caring for someone with HD. The group promotes encouragement, resilience, and a sense of community.

Registration Required. A link to attend via ZOOM will be provided by email the morning of the meeting.

This is intended to be a safe place where you can be yourself, share your experiences, learn from others and much more. Because this is intended to be a small group allowing for everyone to participate, attendance is limited, registration is required. This group is sponsored by The Cole Center for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders.

We will meet in January, April, July, and October in 2026.

The Bereaved Caregiver Community is a safe space to connect with and receive support from others on a similar journey. These groups are for care partners and family members whose loved ones lived with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s like conditions.

The location varies each month.

Date and time subject to change based on weather and group requests.

This support group is for care partners and family members of individuals with Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s-like conditions. The group, led by Cole Center Social Worker, Laura Clabo, LAPSW, is a safe place where you can be yourself, share your experiences, learn from others and much more. Because this is intended to be a small group allowing for everyone to participate, attendance is limited, registration is preferred.

This group is held at the same time as our Cole Community Music Program so that patients with Parkinson’s have a safe place to interact while being supervised, allowing the care partners to receive support.

Led by Certified Music Therapist Cecilia Stair, this weekly group uses evidence‑based music therapy to support individuals with Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders.

What to Expect
Stretching
Vocal warmups
Group Singing
Instrument playing
Discussion and reminiscence
Social connection
Opportunities for community building through performance and outreach

Participants are not required to have prior training in music or the ability to read music. We use songs in a variety of genres that are likely to be familiar to participants of all ages. Care partners and family members are welcome to join. Participants are welcome to bring their preferred instruments.

Why Participate
Singing can help increase vocal volume, articulation, breath support, and swallowing function.
Humming may help relax tense vocal folds.
Following song lyrics can support memory, recognition, and attention.
Group music therapy fosters social connection and reduces feelings of isolation.

This is a monthly Parkinson’s Educational Program provided by The Cole Center.

2026 Presentations:
April 1: Advanced Care Planning; Taylor Peabody, MD, Movement Disorder Specialist, The Cole Center

May 6: Gut Health & PD; Shadi Barbu, MD, DBS Medical Director, The Cole Center

June 3: Mood Changes and PD; Amber Rochette, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Knox Neuro, PLLC

July: No Cole Series

August 5: Benefits of PT for Parkinson’s; Joe Smith, PT, DPT, MTC, Outpatient Physical Therapy Manager

September 2: Important Conversations to Have with Loved Ones; Gabrielle Blake, LCSW, Elder Care Coordinator, Franklin & Kyle Elder Law, LLC

October: No Cole Series

November 4: Ask the Social Worker: Tools & Tips for Supporting Independence; Laura Clabo, LAPSW, Medical Social Worker, The Cole Center

December 2 : PD Chalk Talk; Philip Tipton, MD, Director of Research, The Cole Center