Patient & Family Support Services and Resources

"Will my insurance cover transportation?" "Should I apply for disability?" "What else can I do to plan ahead?" If you are asking yourself these questions, you are not alone. In this workshop, you’ll learn more about applying for disability, accessing transportation, what your health insurance does and does not cover, and other resources for families affected by neurological illness. This monthly workshop is facilitated by a licensed social worker who specializes in neurology.

When: View upcoming dates
Time: 1 – 2 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI, at 929-695-0282 or era2142@cumc.columbia.edu. 

The American Parkinson Disease Association’s signature Connecting Through Art program was developed to provide those impacted by PD the space and ability to express feelings and emotions through a creative activity, while also connecting with others who share some of the same challenges and concerns. While these aspects have all been shown to enhance mood and quality of life, the creative activity itself may also help to improve visual-cognitive skills, hand dexterity, and general motor function.

Columbia University's Movement Disorders Division is proud to bring this program to our patients and community. Each month will present the opportunity to explore a different media from watercolor, acrylic paint, weaving, sculpture, collage, and beyond. No previous art experience is required. This program is free, and all art supplies will be provided.

Each month, check for the specific activity as we host programs in English, Spanish, and Bilingual, and some are geared towards inter-generational participation!

When: Fourth Monday of every month (view upcoming dates)
Time: 2 – 3:30 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom, or Columbia Community Partnership for Health, 390 Ft. Washington Ave, between 177th & 178th Street
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI, at 929-695-0282 or era2142@cumc.columbia.edu. 

Helping care for the care partners! During every turn and challenge in your journey as a Parkinson’s care partner, knowing that you are not alone is important.

This group is designed to develop helpful tools and coping skills for care partners (any individual that is supporting a loved one with Parkinson's/Parkinsonism through their journey) with a focus on sharing lived experiences, therapeutic strategies such as mindfulness, and supportive open discussions.

Meeting Facilitated by: Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI
When: First Wednesday of every month (view upcoming dates)
Time: 2 – 3:30 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom. Registration is required
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI at 929-695-0282 or era2142@cumc.columbia.edu. 

During every transition and challenge in your journey of living with Parkinson’s disease, knowing that you are not alone is important. Join us! Providing educational information and support to individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their families.

Meeting Facilitated by: Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI
When: Third Tuesday of every month
Time: 2 – 3:30 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom. Registration is required.
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI at 929-695-0282 or era2142@cumc.columbia.edu. 

Open to individuals who have already had Deep Brain Stimulation surgery and their loved ones. Our DBS Support Group is a safe and supportive space where participants who can share their experiences, ask questions, receive emotional support, and learn from others who have gone through the DBS journey.

Meeting Facilitated by: Linda Winfeld, RN & Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI
When: Third Wednesday of every month (view upcoming dates)
Time: 2 – 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom. Registration is required.
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI at 929-695-0282 or era2142@cumc.columbia.edu. 

Join us for a Spanish-language gathering to play dominoes or bingo, designed to promote social interaction, entertainment, and the strengthening of the community living with Parkinson’s disease. This event will feature Dr. Hiral Shah—a neurologist and movement disorders specialist at the Neurological Institute of Columbia University Irving Medical Center—who will share valuable information, answer questions, and foster a space for dialogue and support.  During the activity, participants will be able to: (1) Learn more about Parkinson’s disease, (2) Exchange experiences and resources, (3) Connect with others who share this journey, and (4) Enjoy a pleasant time together as a community. 

This Spanish-language activity is open to the entire community, as well as to any adult who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), along with their caregivers and adult family members. Dinner is provided, courtesy of the American Parkinson Disease Association.

When: Second Tuesday of every month (view upcoming dates)
Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Where: 390 Fort Washington Avenue, NY 10033. Participation is Free, but Registration is required. 
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Vanessa Vicente at 561-214-2856 or vvicente@apdaparkinson.org.

En nuestro grupo de apoyo ofrecemos talleres para mejorar la calidad de vida de personas con Parkinson y sus familias, además de un espacio seguro para compartir impresiones, educación y comunidad entre los participantes.

Cuándo: Por favor, póngase en contacto con la Dra. Gemma Moya-Galé para obtener el horario mensual específico
Hora: 11 am – 12:30 pm
Dónde: Virtual via Zoom, or Columbia Community Partnership for Health, 390 Fort Washington Ave, New York 
Inscripción y preguntas: Para obtener mas informacion e inscribirse, pongase en contacto con Gemma Moya-Galé, PhD, CCC-SLP, en gm2446@tc.columbia.edu.

Come develop new coping strategies in our Lewy Body Disease support group series! Led by Dr. Elise Caccappolo, PhD, and Jason Krellman, PhD, caregivers can work together to encourage and comfort one another.

When: Fourth Wednesday of each month (view upcoming dates)
Time: 2 – 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom. Registration is required.
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Magnolia Jimenez at 212 305-2316 or mj2377@cumc.columbia.edu.

Open to those who are looking to learn more about advanced treatment options that are available to individuals living with Movement Disorders. The presentation will include an overview of symptoms necessitating referral, what options are available, and what they entail. We will also have O&A with experts from our Movement Disorders team and patients who have undergone these treatments.

Meeting Facilitated by:  Kimberly Kwei, MD, PhD (neurologist)
When: view upcoming dates
Time: 1 – 2 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom. Registration is required.
​​​​​Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Erika Adelman, LCSW, SIFI at 929-695-0282 or era2142@cumc.columbia.edu. 

Columbia University's Movement Disorders Division, in partnership with Project: Music Heals Us (PMHU) and Manhattan School of Music (MSM), will be offering interactive Zoom concerts each month to movement disorders patients.

When: First and third Monday of every month (view upcoming dates)
Time: 5 – 5:45 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom
​​​​​Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Vedika Basavatia at 929-274-0771 or vpb2110@cumc.columbia.edu.

Calling all PD patients! Join our community and meet fellow CU students. 

• Weekly meetings with a CU student buddy through Zoom, in-person meeting, or phone call
• Group bonding activities with others
• PD patients raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease

Our mission is to create long-term friendships in the Parkinson’s community and raise awareness of PD amongst the CU community.

When: Weekly meetings (ongoing)
Location: Virtual, over the phone, or in-person
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please call 646-504-6394 or email parkinsonspalscu@gmail.com.

Speech for PD is a university- and community-based speech program for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. Founded in 2019 by its director, Dr. Gemma Moya-Galé, we offer free, online group classes to foster communication and social participation in PD. Our work has been funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 
Time: 11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Registration & questions: For more information and to register, please contact Gemma Moya-Galé, PhD, CCC-SLP, at gm2446@tc.columbia.edu or 212-678-3323.