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Many of the members of this list may know, from my previous postings, that I have been very involved with Parkinson's Disease, starting about 3 years ago, when one of my patients, at an Assisted Living residence, had Parkinson's. Forty plus years ago, during my academic training, we had some discussion about Parkinson's. My own past professional background consisted mostly of Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy, Criminology, Police Psychology, and College Teaching. There was little exposure to movement disorders specifically, but some generalizations of MS and the Dementias. I did have a good grounding in mind, body, and environmental forces working in interaction with personality development. This was the perspective I took to the understanding of Parkinson's. At the aforementioned Assisted Living residence, I discovered four other People with Parkinson's, but little, if any help from the surrounding community. We started our own support group, with assistance from the University of Arizona, Department of Neurology, an APDA - funded program. In addition to the University we were connected to a young, socially active PWP. We also became acutely aware there was little information or specialized programs dealing with assisted living facilities for PWP in the US. This, in spite of the growing number of folks in the senior age population. When the facility Administrator had the chance to pursue a career with a more proactive healthcare corporation, we had the opportunity to design a PD program within a brand new residence, including some implementation of physical design and physical space requirements. We now had additional assistance from the newly established Muhammed Ali Parkinson Research Center, in Phoenix, a NPF affiliate. Construction of the SunBridge Assisted Living Residence was completed in May 1998; people have been steadily moving in. Staff training and development is on-going and assisted by the aforementioned organizations. The residents' Library has a collection of books and articles on Parkinson's Disease, an exercise facility, and a fully operational personal computer with e-mail and internet links to PD web sites. The Wellness Director, a Registered Nurse, and the Activities Director, work cooperatively on the Parkinson program, and are dedicated to a professional level of individualized care for all residents In addition to regular resident status, SunBridge also offers Respite Care as part of its "Short Stay Program". Residents may enjoy all the amenities from a seven-day minimum stay to a three-month maximum stay without the usual security deposit. A fully furnished studio apartment allows for folks to "test-drive" the community. For more information about the program, please direct correspondence to Joan F. Thielbar, Executive Director, SunBridge Assisted Living Residence; 13810 W. Sandbridge Drive; Sun City West, Arizona 85375-4489; or telephone (602) 584-2338; or fax (602) 584-2126; or Email [log in to unmask]; or access their corporate website at http://www.sunh.com. For me, this has been a wonderful adventure in learning and interacting with many people within the Parkinson Community, including the membership of this list. Their interest and feedback contributed to this program; it is our hope that this be a model for others in meeting the needs of PWP.