Resources For Integrated Care

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system mainly affecting the motor system or a person’s movement. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement related; these include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, difficulty walking and gait. Later, thinking and behavioral problems may arise, with dementia commonly occurring in the advanced stages of the disease, often with Lewy Bodies, and depression being the most common psychiatric symptom. Other symptoms may include sensory, sleep and emotional problems. The incidence and prevalence of PD increase with age, and data suggests that 3% of Medicare-Medicaid enrollees have Parkinson’s disease.1 This webinar will emphasize the recognition of PD, the treatment options, the importance of an interdisciplinary care team in the treatment of PD, and the impact of the illness on affected older adults, including Medicare-Medicaid enrollees, and their caregivers.