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We’re here for you. For over 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of working closely with care partners just like you. Many tell us they love caring for their person with Parkinson’s. It gives them purpose, connection, and joy.
But it’s not easy.

Parkinson’s Care Partner Training with the Davis Phinney Foundation is a comprehensive educational program designed just for you. Led by a team that includes a movement disorder specialist, clinical social worker, registered dietitian, and experienced care partner mentors, this program was created to support care partners every step of the way.




Caring for someone with Parkinson’s means navigating a constantly shifting landscape—symptoms, emotional changes, cognitive shifts. It can feel like you’re always on alert.
And yet, most care partners have never been formally trained. You may not have planned for this role. You likely have your own needs, responsibilities, and life to manage. No wonder burnout, overwhelm, and isolation are so common.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep going it alone.
Our Parkinson’s Care Partner Training gives you the knowledge, tools, and confidence to care for your person and yourself. These sessions cover:
Each session has been recorded and is available below so you can watch or listen whenever is best for you. If you have any questions, please email our team.
Click to download the transcript. Note, the files will download to whatever you have set as default on your device.
This homework is optional.
One of our favorite exercises for care partners is “Dear Future Me.” Here’s how it works:
They’ll hold it until it’s time to email it back to you. They have letters in their database today that will be sent back to people as far ahead as 2073.
If you’re interested in doing this exercise, you could write a note to yourself about what you’d like to know, have, be able to do, etc., at the end of this course. And/or you might write a note to yourself for a year from now to see how far you’ve come. You might tell yourself what you’re afraid of, what keeps you up at night, or what’s getting in your way. Or you might focus on everything you’re grateful for now.
This is your letter – however you think it will help is your call. Getting letters from the future is always fun, and it’s a great way to track growth, mindset, and fears during uncertain times.
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Topics
Parkinson’s Medications, Complications, and Advanced Symptoms with Serena Hess, RN
Conversation Starters
What are some things you’ve done to help keep your loved one’s medications in order and on schedule?
What are actions you have taken when medications do not seem to be doing their job?
Related Materials
Transcript & Audio
Transcript
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.
Homework Ideas:
Session 3 Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
Transcript & Audio
Transcript
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.
Homework Ideas
Session 5 Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
Transcript & Audio
Transcript
Audio
Homework Ideas
Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
Resiliency and Self-Efficacy
For Managing Anticipatory Grief and Ambiguous Loss
Audio
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.
Homework Ideas
Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
For the Care Partner
For Enhancing Mobility & Independence
Homework Ideas
Self-Care Homework
Mindful Journaling
Schedule ‘Me Time’
Practical & Educational Homework
Assess Home Safety
Meal Prep Practice
Connection Homework
Join a Support Network
Session 11 Links
Links & References mentioned during the session
Topics
Navigating anger and emotional burnout as a care partner
The impact of Parkinson’s-related depression on relationships
Understanding Parkinson’s dementia vs. dementia with Lewy bodies
Social cognition and why people with Parkinson’s may not recognize your emotions
Addressing sexual health concerns in Parkinson’s (including erectile dysfunction)
Tips for managing temperature regulation and sleep disturbances
When and how to speak to a provider about your loved one’s cognitive changes
Eye closure issues (eyelid apraxia) and treatment options like Botox
Overcoming stigma and resistance to mental health support in Parkinson’s
Conversation Starters
“How do you manage moments of anger or emotional overwhelm as a care partner?”
“Has anyone else dealt with mood changes or condescending behavior that didn’t feel like your person?”
“What conversations have you had with your loved one’s doctor about cognitive changes—and how did they go?”
“What are your go-to sleep or comfort strategies when your person with Parkinson’s is hot one minute and freezing the next?”
“Has anyone here worked with a sex therapist or urologist for Parkinson’s-related intimacy concerns?”
“How do you talk to your loved one about seeing a counselor—especially if they’re resistant?”
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
Patient Advocacy and Managing Change
Falls and Exercise
Constipation and nOH
Transcript & Audio
Transcript
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.
Homework Ideas
Session 2 Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
Transcript & Audio
Transcript
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.[/vc_column_text]
Homework Ideas
Section 4 Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Parkinson’s 101 for the Newly Diagnosed (Dr. K talks a lot about nutrition and hydration in this session.)
IDDSI Framework (hydration levels)
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
Transcript & Audio
Transcript
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.[/vc_column_text]
Homework Ideas
Session 6 Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat. We will also include questions we were unable to address specifically during the session, if there are any, but have information about on our site:
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
For Help on Medicare & Medicaid
For Palliative and Hospice Care
For Caregiver Support Systems
Transcript & Audio
Transcript
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.
Homework Ideas
Do you know how to contact your local Area Agency on Aging? What services do they offer?
Notes & Chat Links
During this session, Sarah Chen mentioned a list of resources to help you navigate the healthcare system.
Talks Sarah Mentioned
Topics
As this is the last session of the program, we will focus on whatever topics you have questions about. We have been collecting questions every week, and whatever questions we have yet to answer, we will address during this final session as long as they apply to most people.
Transcript & Audio
Coming soon.
Note: When you click the links above, the files will download to whatever you have set as the default download location on your device.
Notes & Chat Links
Links mentioned during the class/in the chat.
Post-Session Resources
What’s Next?
Topics
Conversation Starters
Related Materials
Homework Ideas
If your person does not have advance directives, draft a script of how you will suggest that they identify a healthcare power of attorney (HPOA) and create a living will that expresses their health care wishes.
If you do not have your own advance directives, make a plan for identifying a HPOA and writing out your healthcare wishes within 30 days.
Take some time to learn about the different types of long-term care. Then, create a spreadsheet with your person with Parkinson’s that outlines the pros and cons of each option for them personally. Consider their support needs, personal preferences and financial resources. Help them come up with a plan.
Session 12 Links
The following websites were discussed in the training video:
| Session | Topics |
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| Session 1 |
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| Session 2 |
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| Session 3 |
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| Session 4 |
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| Session 5 |
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| Session 6 |
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| Session 7 |
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| Session 8 |
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| Session 9 |
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| Session 10: Wrap Up and Q&A | As this is the last session of the program, we will focus on whatever topics you have questions about. We have been collecting questions every week, and whatever questions we have yet to answer, we will address during this final session as long as they apply to most people. |