Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects 1%-2% of individuals older than 60 years and is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States. People with PD, across all stages of the disease, suffer from a significant symptom burden that includes many nonmotor symptoms (such as depression, fatigue, pain, and dementia), and most will ultimately die from complications of this degenerative and incurable illness. Even at diagnosis, a palliative care (PC) approach can help the patient adjust to his or her diagnosis and maintain an optimal quality of life. We brought together a team of PD and PC experts to assemble practical tips for the care of people with PD. The "Top 10" format emphasizes the most relevant issues to enable PC clinicians to provide optimal care for those suffering with this complex neurodegenerative disease.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; neurodegenerative disorder; neurological disease; nonmotor symptoms; palliative care; symptom control.