It’s important for people with Parkinson’s to be proactive in the management of their condition.
However, they don’t have to face this challenge alone. There are a number of healthcare professionals that can help people with Parkinson’s along the way. Building a supportive health team can greatly assist in managing the challenges of Parkinson’s.
All healthcare professionals have their own area of specialty and can help you manage different aspects of the condition.
Some of the main professions involved in managing Parkinson’s are:
- neurologist
- Parkinson’s nurse
- physiotherapist
- occupational therapist
- speech pathologist
- dietitian
- psychologist
- social worker.
Support for you
- Your GP or specialist may be able to refer you to a therapist. Please speak to them before you start any course of therapy.
- Contact the Fight Parkinson’s Health Team on 1800 931 031 for more information about the health services and professionals located near you
- Accessing professional support under Medicare may also be available to you.
Finding a neurologist
The most appropriate person to help manage your Parkinson’s is a neurologist. Choosing a neurologist can be a daunting process, especially finding one with a special interest in Parkinson’s.
Some questions you may like to consider when making this decision are:
- Does this doctor have a Parkinson’s specialty?
- Do I feel comfortable talking about personal issues with this doctor and do we communicate well?
- What are my options in choosing a treating doctor?
Support for you
- For assistance in locating a suitable neurologist and/or information on how to get the most out of your medical appointments and neurological care, contact the Fight Parkinson’s Health Team on 1800 931 031
- Download the list of Parkinson’s specialist neurologists and general neurologists operating in Victoria. Please note, this list is not exhaustive; however it is a good starting point to assist individuals in making informed and appropriate decisions about their care and symptom management.
Seeing a Parkinson’s nurse
A Parkinson’s nurse has specialist experience, knowledge and skills in the field of Parkinson’s. They work closely with neurologists to ensure effective medical management of symptoms related to Parkinson’s.
Sometimes you may also hear a Parkinson’s nurse called a movement disorder nurse. Unfortunately, there are very few Parkinson’s nurses in Victoria. However, Fight Parkinson’s is committed to lobbying the Victoria Government to increase funding for Parkinson’s nurses.
In Melbourne, there are several experienced nurses working in neurology clinics. There is also a Parkinson’s nurse working in the team at Fight Parkinson’s. For residents of regional areas, there is a Parkinson’s nurse working in the Mildura region and another in the Goulburn Valley.
How a Parkinson’s nurse can help
In the initial stages of Parkinson’s, a Parkinson’s nurse can provide advice and support to help you come to terms with the diagnosis. They can educate you and your family about the various symptoms of Parkinson’s and can suggest strategies to manage symptoms. As Parkinson’s progresses, they can offer guidance on managing medications. A Parkinson’s nurse can also refer you to other healthcare professionals for more specialist advice.
Support for you
- Your specialist may work alongside a Parkinson’s nurse, and recommend a consultation
- Fight Parkinson’s Health Team can also provide advice about Parkinson’s nurses throughout Victoria
- Call Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
Seeing a physiotherapist
Physiotherapists use exercise and other forms of physical therapy to help keep people mobile when they are affected by a long-term condition, such as Parkinson’s. If you care for someone with Parkinson’s, you can also see a physiotherapist. They will help you take good care of yourself, as well as the person you look after.
How physiotherapy can help
When you see a physiotherapist, they will assess you to see how Parkinson’s affects your physical movement. They will then help you to manage any problems you might have. This can be through exercise or other treatments.
The physiotherapist may:
- Recommend exercises to improve muscle strength and flexibility
- Help you maintain your fitness
- Work with you to improve balance and prevent falls
- Help with pain relief.
Accessing physiotherapy
Most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s will see a physiotherapist at some stage throughout the course of their condition. Physiotherapy can be useful at all stages of the condition. You can also see one if you care for someone with Parkinson’s.
Support for you
- Your GP or specialist can refer you to a suitable physiotherapist
- The Fight Parkinson’s Health Team can also provide advice about physiotherapists that may be suitable
- Call Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
Seeing an occupational therapist
Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who can help people with Parkinson’s stay independent for longer and carry on doing the activities that are important in their lives. They do this by giving advice on how to manage a wide range of everyday tasks, life and work skills, and hobbies. They can also recommend ways to make the home and workplace safer and easier to cope with.
How occupational therapy can help
If you have Parkinson’s, you may have problems with everyday tasks such as dressing or getting in and out of the shower. An occupational therapist will help you manage your life more easily.
The occupational therapist may:
- Suggest easier ways to do tasks that are difficult for you
- Recommend changes to make your home safer, such as handrails
- Recommend mobility equipment or aids
- Help you keep up hobbies and leisure interests
- Help you find ways to continue working
Accessing occupational therapy
Most people with Parkinson’s will not be assessed by an occupational therapist until their symptoms start to interfere with everyday activities. However, it’s recommended that people with Parkinson’s should see an occupational therapist when they are first diagnosed and at regular intervals afterwards.
Support for you
- Your GP or specialist can refer you to a suitable occupational therapist
- The Fight Parkinson’s Health Team can also provide advice about occupational therapists that may be suitable
- Call Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
Seeing a speech pathologist
Speech pathologists are healthcare professionals who can help make communication easier for people with Parkinson’s. They can also help with swallowing problems. They specialise in all areas of communication, including facial expressions, body language, speech and fluency. Speech pathologists are also sometimes referred to as speech and language therapists.
How speech pathology can help
Parkinson’s can make it hard for people to communicate. A speech pathologist can help you overcome communication problems such as slurred or unsteady speech. They can also try to stop new problems from developing.
The speech pathologist may:
- Suggest exercises and techniques to strengthen your voice
- Help you control your facial expression
- Help you with swallowing problems
- Suggest communication aids if talking has become very difficult for you
Accessing speech pathology
A large portion of people with Parkinson’s will develop problems with voice, speech and swallowing at some stage throughout the course of the disease. Addressing problems early is the key. It’s recommended that people with Parkinson’s should see a speech pathologist at the earliest sign of change.
Support for you
- Your GP or specialist can refer you to a suitable speech pathologist
- The Fight Parkinson’s Health Team can also provide advice about speech pathologists that may be suitable
- Call Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
Seeing a dietitian: Nutrition and dietetics
Dietitians are healthcare professionals who can advise on a healthy diet and specific dietary needs. They regularly provide advice on how people can maintain a healthy body weight. They may also liaise with a speech pathologist regarding problems with eating and swallowing.
How nutrition and dietetics can help
There are many reasons why someone living with Parkinson’s might benefit from seeing a dietitian. One of the main reasons is that many people with Parkinson’s lose weight as a result of the motor symptoms. Poor appetite and inadequate food intake can also lead to weight loss in Parkinson’s. Another consideration is how foods can interfere with medications. For instance, high protein meals can interfere with levodopa absorption. For more information on these issues, please visit the diet section of our website.
The dietitian may:
- Suggest eating choices to ensure a balanced and healthy diet
- Help you coordinate your medications with your meals
- Give advice about high-energy foods needed to meet your energy demands and avoid unwanted weight loss
- Give advice about foods to maintain bone strength
- Recommend nutritional supplements to overcome any nutritional deficiencies
- Provide dietary advice on managing constipation
Accessing nutrition and dietetics
Seeing a dietitian will not be necessary for everyone who has Parkinson’s. However, if you have noticed changes to your weight or energy levels, increasing constipation or poor eating habits, then you may benefit from visiting a dietitian. Acting on these issues early will help to lessen their impact.
Support for you
- Your GP or specialist can refer you to a suitable dietitian
- The Fight Parkinson’s Health Team can also provide advice about dieticians that may be suitable
- Call Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
Seeing a psychologist
Psychologists are specially trained to help people cope with life’s problems. In the case of Parkinson’s, a psychologist can help you to deal with the emotional and psychological challenges of living with the condition. Psychologists are also experts in managing changes related to thought processing abilities, also known as cognition.
How psychology can help
There are many reasons why someone living with Parkinson’s might benefit from seeing a psychologist. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s can bring with it many psychological and emotional challenges. For instance, anxiety, depression and stress affect a large proportion of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Assessment and treatment by a psychologist can help to address these issues for people with Parkinson’s, their carers, family, and friends.
The psychologist may:
- Help you to deal with your emotional reaction to diagnosis
- Undertake assessments, and suggest strategies to manage memory and cognitive difficulties
- Teach strategies to manage anxiety and stress
- Talk with you and develop strategies to overcome depression
- Suggest strategies to help you cope with the ongoing challenges of Parkinson’s
Accessing psychology
Seeing a psychologist will not be necessary for everyone who has Parkinson’s. However, if you have been having difficulty coming to terms with the diagnosis or are struggling to cope with the ongoing challenges of life, then you may benefit from visiting a psychologist. Acting on these issues early can help you to lower their long-term impact.
Support for you
- Your GP or specialist can refer you to a suitable psychologist
- The Fight Parkinson’s Health Team can also provide advice about psychologists that may be suitable
- Call Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
Seeing a social worker
Social workers are trained to help people with the social, emotional and financial challenges of life. Sometimes these challenges can become much greater when you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
How social work can help
There are many ways in which a social worker can assist someone living with Parkinson’s. In many cases, social workers can be an excellent source of counselling. Being able to talk through your problems with an independent person can be very beneficial. A social worker can also provide much more practical assistance with regards to matters involving housing, employment, money, relationships and care.
The social worker may:
- Help you to access government benefits, such as concessions, pensions or allowances
- Help you to manage finances
- Identify and address the needs of carers, family members and friends
- Provide assistance with advance care planning, as well as assistance with understanding guardianship and powers of attorney
- Provide counselling to help you deal with the emotional challenges of Parkinson’s
- Work with you to develop stress management strategies
- Identify options for respite and residential care
Accessing social work
Seeing a social worker will not be necessary for everyone who has Parkinson’s. However, if you have been having difficulty with any of the matters mentioned above then you should consider seeing a social worker. Many of these issues can grow into large problems if you don’t seek help early.
Support for you
- Your GP or specialist can refer you to a social worker
- The Fight Parkinson’s Health Team can also provide advice about social workers that may be suitable
- Call Fight Parkinson’s Information Line on 1800 931 031
- Email: info@fightparkinsons.org.au
Accessing professional support under Medicare
For people with a chronic condition such as Parkinson’s, Medicare provides a rebate for individual allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition and dietetics, psychology and social work. The rebate enables people to access a maximum of five allied health consultations per calendar year. If additional consultations are required, they will be at your own expense. Speak to your GP if you think you would benefit from these services.
This rebate is provided under the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP), formerly known as the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program.
More details on this rebate can be found on the Department of Health website.
