Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) is hosting a free Parkinson’s disease support group from 3 – 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14 in VVMC’s Conference Room C, 269 S. Candy Lane. The meeting is open to patients, family members, caregivers and anyone interested in learning about Parkinson’s disease. For more information, call 928 639-6383.

The October group will feature a presentation and exercise session with Young Han from the Sedona Meditation Center. Han will discuss how those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can maintain quality of life through meditation, stretching, yoga and exercise.

Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is both chronic and progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse and continue over time. Some common symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremors of the hands, arms, legs or jaw; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.

As many as 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. On average, the onset age for Parkinson’s disease is 60 years old; however, an estimated 15 percent of Parkinson’s disease patients are diagnosed before the age 50.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Verde Valley Medical Center, visit VerdeValleyMedicalCenter.com. For more information about VVMC’s Parkinson’s support groups or to learn about other support groups held at VVMC, please call 928 639-6383.