Author(s)

Sunjay Sethi, Anna DePold Hohler

Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Palliative care has great potential to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. However, neurologists face multiple barriers in practically applying the concepts of palliative care including a deficit in education and limitations in time to coordinate this care. In this review, we discuss practical ways for neurologists to apply the principles of palliative care in several domains, including exercising symptom management, managing polypharmacy, managing advanced care planning, supporting patient and families in their psychosocial and spiritual needs, identifying caregiver burden, utilizing multidisciplinary care, and understanding the role of hospice referral.

Parkinson’s Disease, Palliative Medicine, Neuro-Palliative Care, Quality of Life

Sethi, S. and Hohler, A. (2016) The Application of Palliative Care Principles in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease. Advances in Parkinson's Disease, 5, 73-86. doi: 10.4236/apd.2016.54010.