Mission

The mission of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation is:
To educate and provide support to people with Parkinson's and related disorders, their loved ones and care partners, and the physicians and other allied health professionals who diagnose and treat those affected by the illness.

To support research into the mechanisms underlying the disease and therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the burden of illness.

To engage and enlist the support of institutions and individuals whose activities impact the needs of people with Parkinson's and related disorders

What We Do

We provide at no cost, a Newly Diagnosed Packet of Information for people with Parkinson's. The packet includes a 60 page booklet, Living with Parkinson's, What You and Your Family Should Know.

Produce and distribute at no cost, Parkinson education Rack brochures for physician offices.

Subsidized Respite Care Services: Families often become round-the-clock caregivers for those with Parkinson's. MPF helps by providing financial assistance for in home respite care, short term overnight care at a facility or day time Adult Day Care service. We provide up to 168 hours in respite care per family per year.

Support Groups: MPF sponsors 76 Parkinson's support groups throughout Michigan. These groups provide individuals with Parkinson's disease, their families and friends, a network of information, fellowship and under-standing.

Medication Assistance: MPF helps pay for prescription medications for qualifying individuals with Parkinson's disease. We provide up to $600 per year per person.

Virtual Support Group offered via telephone conference call. The group meets every other Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm from September through June. This group is for those who are not able to attend a support group in person but want to connect with others who are dealing with the challenges of living with PD.

Subsidized Exercise Tuition Program. Exercise is proven to help manage Parkinson's symptoms. We provide stipends to pay for Parkinson appropriate exercise programs.


Mobility Equipment Lending Program: The MPF receives donations of wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, electric scooters, U-Step Walkers. We then loan the equipment to those in need. Contact MPF for more info.


Legal Assistance: Attorneys on our volunteer board provide assistance and direction on various legal issues that people with Parkinson's encounter such as: remaining in the work force, obtaining medical disability, estate and trust planning, long term medical guardianship, and power of attorney.

Education programs scheduled throughout the state for people with Parkinson's, their families and caregivers.

Facilitator Training Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Marriott Troy. MPF holds a two-day training event at which support group leaders are invited to come together for training and updates on Parkinson's disease. MPF provides training, lodging and meals for up to four representatives from each support group. This program is offered free of charge by invitation only.

Symposium on Living Your Best Life with Parkinson's on Friday, April 24, 2020 at the Marriott Troy
A series of eight workshops on how to maintain quality of life while living with Parkinson's.

Orientation to Parkinson's, a two-hour program for the newly diagnosed. This program is delivered by health care professionals throughout the state.

Living with Parkinson's, a series of workshops addressing the care, treatment and management of Parkinson's disease. Topics include, An Overview of PD, Medications, Non-Motor Symptoms, the Role of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Issues, Captain of Your Own Ship, and Speech & Swallowing Issues. This program is offered free of charge and is delivered by health care professionals.

Grosse Pointe - The Helm
158 Ridge Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Tues, Weds, & Thurs, May 12, 13, 14, 2020

Kalamazoo - Richland Area Community Center
9400 E CD Ave, Richland, MI 49083
Friday, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2020

Flint, Genesys Health Center
October 15, 22,29, Nov. 5, 12

Houghton - Michigan Tech University
101 Memorial Union, Houghton, MI 49931
Thursday, May 14, 2020

Iron Mountain - Bay College West
2801 US-2, Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Friday, May 15, 2020

PD Self Efficacy: A program for the newly diagnosed (under three years) that meets once a month for four hours for nine months. This program provides people with Parkinson's an in-depth understanding of the disease and the self-efficacy tools to manage it with confidence. The program is taught by an occupational therapist and an individual who has lived with PD for eight years. Starts Wednesday September 18, 2019 through May 2020 and meets the third Wednesday of each month from 11:00 am - 3:00pm at the MPF office building conference room.

Yoga Adapted for Parkinson's: Classes held at MPF office building in Bingham Farms - every Monday at 11:30 am starting on September 9, 2019 through June 15, 2020.

Research Grants: Research offers new hope for the treatment of Parkinson's, but much more needs to be learned. MPF takes an active role in support of research. Annually, MPF awards grants for research projects focusing on PD to students attending Michigan universities.