“People think of end-of-life care as a synonym for palliative care, but it isn’t just for people in the final stages of a disease. People who have just been diagnosed with a Parkinson’s disease are included in the definition of a person with a complex condition.”

Newly diagnosed people can benefit from the help of a palliative care team.

“The same team can help with Parkinson’s disease progression by adjusting medications, providing mental health care, and providing therapies. It is an additional support system for people with Parkinson’s.”

“There is more about how palliative care can help people with Parkinson’s.”

Palliative care is a specialized type of support program for people with complex progressive and chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

A team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and other medical professionals provide the Palliative care programs. The team focuses on goals.

  • Reducing pain is important.
  • Reducing symptoms.
  • Quality of life is improved.
  • Helping to manage stress.
  • Providing emotional and mental health support.
  • educating patients and their families about their conditions
  • Future goals set
  • Monitoring patients as conditions progress.

“People with Parkinson’s disease can receive additional support. It doesn’t replace your regular doctors and therapists, and you won’t need to stop any treatments”

Through the years, the programs can stay with you. If you need to talk to your regular doctor, your doctors from your palliative care team can do it.

Palliative care vs. hospice care: What’s the difference?

Often, people confuse palliative care and hospice care. However, these two services are very different.

Hospice care is about prolonging the lives of people who are dying. Hospice provides comfort and pain relief for people with terminal diagnoses. Hospice patients usually have 6 months left to live and have stopped all treatments. People receiving hospice care receive medication to help with symptoms, but no longer take medication that tries to cure their conditions.

At any time, palliative care can be started and done with treatments. People can begin care after receiving a diagnosis and work with a team while receiving treatment.

“People with Parkinson’s can benefit from the benefits of palliative care. The benefits will be dependent on the level of care needed and the symptoms a person has.”

Having is one of the common benefits.

  • Setting goals far in advance is helpful for your care and treatment plan.
  • You need the support to live your life to the fullest.
  • A social worker on your team can help you with any changes.
  • access to mental health care if you need to talk to someone
  • dietary experts and nutrition resources accessible if your eating habits and nutritional needs change as Parkinson’s progresses
  • “If you can’t take physical or daily living tasks on your own, you should look for aides who can.”
  • healthcare professionals who can support you and your doctors
  • nurses and doctors who can monitor you for changes in your medication effectiveness
  • Doctors and nurses can monitor you for symptoms so that they can be addressed quickly.
  • railings and other supports are in your home to help you avoid falling.
  • Speech therapists are on hand to help with communication difficulties.

“You can start care for Parkinson’s at any time. Parkison’s is a complex and progressive condition that can be helped by the care of a physician.”

Although many people wait until their condition has progressed or until they are in the later stages of Parkinson’s to seek out an option such as palliative care, you might get more benefit from starting this care earlier.

You can have a supportive team with you over the years to help you manage your diagnosis.

There are many providers that offer the programs.

Agencies that offer home healthcare, Hospice care, or senior living programs also offer palliative care. Your doctor can recommend a professional for this type of care.

You can also use this palliative care directory to find one in your area.

“Most insurance providers cover Palliative care. Many providers don’t list palliative care as a separate service, but do cover the services of all the medical professionals who will be part of your palliative care team”

Normally, you’ll be responsible for your standard visit copayment or coinsurance cost for seeing these providers. For example, Medicare Part B will cover 80 percent of the Medicare-approved cost of most palliative care visits.

“If you don’t know about your coverage, the agency you choose will be able to help. Most agencies have social workers and other professionals on staff who can help you with your insurance and costs.”

“People with Parkinson’s disease can benefit from the care that is provided. Hospice care is not palliative care. It is also applicable to people at the end of their lives.”

“Parkinson’s is a complex condition that requires care. It works as an addition to the care you already get from your regular doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. You don’t have to stop receiving care to receive the benefits of it.”

You can receive additional support and resources to help you with your symptoms. It is generally covered by insurance, and you can start it at any time.