Parkinson’s Disease Support
-in and nearby-
The Villages, Florida
There may be no better place for someone with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to live than in or nearby The Villages, Florida. With 16 PD support groups, a PD Center of Excellence nearby, two hospitals minutes away, all of the medical specialists needed to manage the disease, and an active community with plenty of exercise and social opportunities, what more might one want? Of course, Florida also has great weather!
Explore our website. You will find many resources to help you and your care partner live a fulfilling life, regardless of the “diagnosis.” Join us. Come to one or more of our support groups. Get involved. Learn, exercise, be socially active, make new friends. You will be glad you did.
How to navigate this website
Navigating this site is easy. At the top of each page is a list, in alphabetical order, of site content. Click on any entry in the list. That will take you to that content. At the top of each content page, you will find the same navigation menu as this page. You can go to any other subject area from there or click “Homepage” to return to this page. To the right of the list of pages is a small blue magnifying glass. Click on it to open a search window. Enter what you want to search for, and you will be taken to the page(s) where the entry can be found.
When you use a smartphone, navigating to the content is slightly different. On each content page are three small parallel lines at the top-right. Click there and the list of content will appear. Click on any entry to go to the associated page. At the bottom of the list is a search box. Enter what you want to search for, and you will be taken to the page(s) where the entry can be found.
When you are on the go, it would be useful to have an icon on your smartphone that will take you directly to this website. Adding the icon is easy. Go to the Resources Page, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page until you reach “Website”. The instructions are there!
New Flash!
The Annual Parkinson’s Foundation Seminar for Our Area will be Held on October 23, 2025.
Register Now! Scroll down to the bottom of this page for details.
Walking Soccer for Parkinson’s will start its season on Sunday, Oct 5th at Everglades soccer field at 10 AM until 11 AM. Play will be every Sunday at Everglades and every Thursday at First Responders’. Anyone with PD (man or woman) is welcome to play & receive coaching.
Clinical Trial Opportunities-Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Page for Details.
What’s Happening Now?
September 9 – September 21, 2025
The Villages
Sunday, 1:30 – 3 p.m. @ Chatham Recreation Center
Popular with Couples. Sit/stretch plus exercise to music and BIG/LOUD plus education and support.
September 14 – Bingo!
Folks often go out for late lunch/early dinner after the meeting.
Monday 9:30 -10:45 a.m. @ Tierra Del Sol Recreation Center
Mostly Men/Women Welcome. Sit/stretch plus exercise to music, discussion, and support.
Monday, 9:30 -10:45 a.m. @ Tierra Del Sol Recreation Center
Parkinson’s support group. Education and discussion.
Tuesday, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. @ Chatham Recreation Center
CZ Sobol’s Parkinson’s Network sitting and standing exercises.
Tuesday, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. @ Sumter Senior Living
Parkinson’s Movement Matters exercise program.
Wednesday 1:00 – 3 p.m. @ Mulberry Grove Recreation Center
September 10 and 17 meetings cancelled due to rec center floor installation!
Popular with Couples. Exercise to APDA videos, chair volleyball.
Wednesday, 3:15-5:00 p.m. @ Colony Recreation Center
Parkinson’s water volleyball.
Thursday 1:30 – 3 p.m. @ Chatham Recreation Center
CZ Sobol’s Parkinson’s Network sitting and standing exercises.
Thursday, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. @ Sumter Senior Living
Parkinson’s Movement Matters exercise program.
Thursday, September 18, 3:00 – 4:50 p.m. @ Bradenton Recreation Center
Support group for persons with Parkinson’s and their care partners.
Folks often go out for dinner after the meeting.
It’s a double header! First, Gloria Lamorey, Liaison with Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital, will tell us about their new facility in The Villages. We’ll hear how our Parkinson’s community can benefit from inpatient services in such close proximity to us.
Next, come prepared for some fun with Parkinson’s Bingo, compliments of Peg Pickett and Cindy Thiede from Visiting Angels. Prizes will be awarded to the winners! Enjoy!
Friday (times vary) @ Golf Executive Courses between CR 466 and CR 466A.
Golfing for persons with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.
Friday, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. @ La Hacienda Recreation Center at Spanish Springs
Parkinson’s table tennis (ping-pong). For those with PD, and care partners.
For more information, visit The Villages Table Tennis website.
Clinical Trial Opportunities
YOU CAN HELP WITH PARKINSON’S RESEARCH
Clinical Trials will be done right here in The Villages!
As of 9/1/2025
Dr. Craig Curtis, well known for his work with Alzheimer’s and dementia, will be conducting the trials. He has also begun seeing people with Parkinson’s 1-2 days/week. Yes, Dr. Curtis is seeing patients with Parkinson’s Disease (and Lewy Body) 2 days per week in his office. There you can learn even more about the research trials.
(For the following trials, people with PD who have had DBS or are confined to a wheelchair will not be candidates to participate.)
- In a week or so, BIOHAVEN study will begin. It involves taking a pill that has shown to inhibit brain inflammation (cause of PD). People with postural instability will not be candidates for this study. This trial is only for those who have NOT started Carbidopa/Levodopa.
- At the same time, LILY gene therapy study will begin. It involves IV’s. The medication hopefully slows progression of the disease by stopping the buildup of alpha-synuclein deposits. This trial includes a free DAT scan.
- In early Oct, 2025, the ROCHE study will begin. This is a Phase 3 study of a new drug called prasinezumab which has the potential to slow or stop PD. (to participate your diagnosis must have been within the last 3 years.)
If you want more information and are interested in participating, please text Dr. Craig Curtis at 321-278-5590 and someone from his office will get back with you.
Craig Curtis, MD
Chief Medical Officer –The Villages
1400 N. US HWY 441, Suite 537
The Villages, FL 32159
321-278-5590
K2 Medical Research Tomorrow’s Treatment Today
Parkinson’s Foundation Fall Seminar
Important – You Must Register to Attend. Do it Now!
To Register, Click Here!