By Christina Erickson, PhD, LISW

	Introduction
	Services Available / Your Options
	Medication Follow-Through
	Education and Support
	How Social Workers Can Help

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease is a disease of the nervous system. The nervous system is made up of cells and tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and nerve centers, that coordinate and control the body’s responses. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative illness after Alzheimer’s disease. It affects over one million individuals in the United States. Parkinson’s disease occurs more often in older people than the young, although cases have been reported in people as young as their twenties. The average age of diagnosis for the disease is 60.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

• Rigidity
• Tremors
• Loss of balance
• Slowness of movement

The disease progress is slow and there is no known cure. There is no test to identify Parkinson’s disease conclusively. Diagnosis is made as the set of symptoms appear, often over a period of up to two years. Doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s disease are neurologists who have advanced training as movement disorder specialists.

Services Available/ Your Options

Specialty clinics are available in various parts of the country to treat Parkinson’s disease patients. The National Parkinson Foundation and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association are the largest organizations helping people with Parkinson’s. Both organizations serve clients in a variety of formats including specialty clinics, support groups, educational events for professionals and clients, and educational literature.

Medication Follow-Through

Medication non-adherence (not taking one’s medications as instructed) has immediate physical effects for people with Parkinson’s. Falling, increased tremors, and stiffness are just some of the symptoms a person can experience if even one dose is missed. Such immediate effects are seldom seen in other chronic diseases. Thus, addressing medication follow-through is particularly important in Parkinson’s disease.

People with Parkinson’s should keep a detailed log of medication use, symptom repression, side effects, and barriers to taking the medication as prescribed. This log will help clearly describe his/her experience to the physician and provide a basis for an open dialogue. Timers, pill boxes, and help from a care-partner can assist with medication follow-through. Social workers can help address other barriers to medication follow-through, such as lack of transportation to a pharmacy or insurance coverage. Medications to treat Parkinson’s disease can be very expensive. When choosing a Medicare Part D plans consider program formularies to assure maximum coverage for medication costs.

Education and Support

Educational information, seminars, conferences and recreational events are sponsored by the Parkinson’s organizations listed above. Person’s with Parkinson’s and their loved ones are welcome to participate in events that feel comfortable to them.

The power of support groups cannot be overlooked in the process of living with a chronic illness. The organizations listed above have existing support groups in various parts of the United States. If there is not one in your area, the organizations will provide information for you or your social worker to start one.

How Social Workers Can Help

Parkinson’s disease impacts various aspects of an individual’s life. Providing comprehensive care requires coordination of a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Each person with Parkinson’s should have a health plan developed with their full participation. Such a plan addresses the unique issues of the individual such as: medication, exercise, their career, telling family and friends, nutrition, and coping emotionally with a chronic illness.

Social workers are a natural coordination point for these multi-disciplinary teams which can include: neurology, psychiatry, physical therapy, nursing, pharmacy, and care partners. Coordinating communication between the members of this team and maximizing support services can ensure a full and active life for people with Parkinson’s.