Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing

KEY POINTS

• This guideline update reflects substantial changes in the literature on diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson disease, and adds information on palliative care.

• Impulse control disorders can develop in a person with Parkinson disease who is on any dopaminergic therapy at any stage in the disease course, especially for those taking dopamine agonists.

• Advanced therapies like deep brain stimulation and intrajejunal levodopa-carbidopa gel infusion are now routinely used in Parkinson disease to manage motor symptoms and fluctuations.

• Evidence exists to support early institution of exercise at the time of diagnosis of Parkinson disease, in addition to the clear benefit now shown in those with well-established disease.

• Palliative care requirements of people with Parkinson disease should be considered throughout all phases of the disease, which includes an option of medical assistance in dying.