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News
April 1, 2024
Hospice for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Hospice Care for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Beneficial Option for Advanced Stages
The Basics:
- Parkinson’s disease (PD) can significantly impact quality of life in advanced stages, with increased symptom complexity and functional decline.
- While curative therapies aren’t available, hospice care offers an alternative focused on comfort, symptom management, and holistic support for patients and families.
Benefits of Hospice for PD Patients:
- Expert Pain and Symptom Management:
- Specialized team addresses unique challenges like pain, dysphagia, fatigue, agitation, and respiratory issues.
- Expertise in managing Parkinson’s-specific symptoms like medication-resistant tremor and freezing episodes.
- 24/7 access to symptom management and crisis intervention, reducing hospital admissions.
- Focus on Holistic Care:
- Addresses emotional and spiritual needs through counseling, chaplaincy services, and volunteer support.
- Provides practical support for caregivers through respite care, education, and bereavement counseling.
- Respects cultural and religious preferences in end-of-life care decisions.
![](https://revivalhha.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/parkinsons-2-300x169.png)
- Maintaining Control and Dignity:
- Patients can choose their preferred setting: home, nursing home, or the place they call home.
- Care focuses on maximizing autonomy and respecting individual choices regarding treatment and care preferences.
- Open communication promotes informed decision-making for patients and families.
Addressing Potential Concerns:
- “Hospice means giving up.”: Hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life, not hastening death. It can be integrated with ongoing therapies as appropriate.
- “My patient is too early for hospice.”: Early referral allows symptom management and support services to improve quality of life sooner.
- “Family isn’t ready.”: Early discussions and family education facilitate acceptance and understanding.
![](https://revivalhha.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/parkinsons-1-300x169.png)
Collaboration and Communication:
- Open communication and coordination between physician, hospice team, and patient ensure seamless care transitions.
- Physicians can provide valuable insights into disease progression and symptom management to aid the hospice team.
- Regular communication updates keep physicians informed about patient progress and potential needs.
Resources for Physicians:
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO): https://www.nhpco.org/
- American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA): https://apdaparkinson.org/
- Parkinson’s Foundation: https://parkinson.org/