PARKINSON DISEASE: PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

Course overview

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the CNS that causes movement disorders and changes in cognition and mood due to a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Advancing disease erodes all functional abilities, causing autonomic dysfunction, musculoskeletal deformities, sensory impairment, sleep disturbances, dermatologic problems, and psychiatric manifestations. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of psychosocial support for patients with PD, its indications, specialized psychosocial supportive services, and treatment goals, and to aid in caring for the patient with this diagnosis. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.