TITLE:
The Application of Palliative Care Principles in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease
AUTHORS:
Sunjay Sethi, Anna DePold Hohler
KEYWORDS:
Parkinson’s Disease, Palliative Medicine, Neuro-Palliative Care, Quality of Life
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Parkinson's Disease,
Vol.5 No.4,
November
22,
2016
ABSTRACT: Palliative care has great potential to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. However, neurologists face multiple barriers in practically applying the concepts of palliative care including a deficit in education and limitations in time to coordinate this care. In this review, we discuss practical ways for neurologists to apply the principles of palliative care in several domains, including exercising symptom management, managing polypharmacy, managing advanced care planning, supporting patient and families in their psychosocial and spiritual needs, identifying caregiver burden, utilizing multidisciplinary care, and understanding the role of hospice referral.