What is Parkinson's Disease?

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) was first documented by James Parkinson in 1817, and he wrote an essay on it known as “The Shaking Palsy”. It is the 2nd common chronic neurodegenerative disease, and it is progressive and disabling in its development.

People with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of the chemical dopamine because the nerve cells in the brain that make it have died. Dopamine-producing nerve cells are found in the basal ganglia, a section located deep in the lower region of the brain. Dopamine is thought to be responsible for movement, mood, motivation and thinking. Symptoms of Parkinson’s will start to appear when between 60% and 80% of the dopamine-producing nerve cells have already been lost.

There are both Motor and Non-Motor aspects to Parkinson’s disease. Motor symptoms include tremor, stiffness, slowness, stooped posture and an unsteady gait. The non-motor symptoms are often more distressing and include, but are not limited to constipation, depression, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and decreased sense of smell.

It is estimated that Parkinson’s disease affects 136:100,000 of the general population, which can be further broken down to 2:100 of the elderly, and 1:10 nursing home residents. Approximately 1:7 of those diagnosed will be under the age of 50.

Idiopathic PD is the most common form of Parkinsonism, accounting for 75%. The other types of Parkinsonism’s include Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Cortico Basal Degeneration (CBD), plus the genetic forms, medication induced and following severe head trauma (eg.Boxing).

Caring for a Patient with PD:

How someone's Parkinson's symptoms affect them can change from day to day, and even hour to hour. This can be either caused by the persons Parkinson’s or the medication used to treat it. Because of this, re-assessment of the needs of your patient should be carried out regularly. Symptoms will get worse when someone’s Parkinson’s drugs are wearing off and should improve again after Parkinson’s drugs are taken.

Please see our information Sheet on how Parkinson’s affects a person’s ADL’s.

Please see our Information Sheet on the different Medications used, and what possible side effects may occur. Also, please find a list of medications to be avoided.

Checklist for caring for your patient with Parkinson’s

• Remember that how the condition affects your patient can vary from hour to hour and day to day. The amount of help and support you give them will need to vary, too. Please try to remember that your patient is not trying to be awkward, but may have better times during the day.
• Taking medication at exactly the right time is crucial for people with Parkinson’s. Make sure you give Parkinson’s medication on time, every time, regardless of drug round times. Consider self medicating.
• People with Parkinson’s should have regular medical reviews by a specialist and access to any therapy support they need.
• If your patient is fasting, please ensure that there is a plan is place to administer subcutaneous or transdermal Parkinson’s medications until such a time that your patient is no longer NPO.
• Parkinson’s affects everyone in different ways. Listen to the person with Parkinson’s and their family about how the condition affects them.
• Make sure that your patient has access to a varied and balanced diet during their time in hospital, and remember to take account of any swallowing or movement problems that could stop them from getting the nutrients they need.
• Give your patient time to answer when you talk to them. Communication issues are a big problem in Parkinson’s, affecting facial expression and speech. It may take them time to respond, but this doesn’t mean they are not listening or don’t understand.

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