Parkinson’s Disease: What is it, and what should you do if you’ve been diagnosed?

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. As elder law attorneys, we often represent clients who have Parkinson’s Disease or clients with a loved one suffering from the disease. It is important to know what the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s are and what you should do if you or a loved one have been diagnosed.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s Disease is the second-most common neurogenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s Disease. It is a movement disorder in which nerve cells that deliver dopamine to other cells in the body begin to die. Symptoms typically develop slowly over several years, but the most common symptoms are tremors, slow movements, rigid limbs, balance problems, REM sleep disturbances, depression, visual impairment, attention deficit, reduced sense of smell, and difficulty with planning and executive functioning. Although Parkinson’s Disease is not fatal, it can lead to fatal complications. Currently, about 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease, with about 90,000 being diagnosed each year. Most people are over 60 at the age of diagnosis, although a significant number of people are diagnosed at a much younger age.

Parkinson’s Resources

If you want local resources, you can search your ZIP code on the Parkinson’s Foundation website to learn about support groups in your area and online educational resources. You can also call the Foundation’s helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO or email helpline@parkinson.org.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, it is important to use not only local support groups, but to make sure you have the support of your friends and family. They can also seek the guidance of caregiver support groups through the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Elder Law Attorney

Anyone facing a diagnosis such as Parkinson’s Disease should seek the advice of an elder law attorney as soon as possible. If you have estate planning documents in place, now is the time to review them – especially your financial and medical powers of attorney. If you do not have documents in place, you should execute them as soon as possible to make sure that your wishes will be honored in the event that you can no longer make your own decisions.

An elder law attorney can also help you and your family learn what your options are for long-term care or in-home care, including public benefits eligibility, veterans’ benefits, and insurance options. Additionally, this is the ideal time to go through your assets and determine what financial and other resources you have available for you and your family if you need to pay for care in the future.