Fall / Winter 2019 | Living with Parkinson's 19
Your team of health care professionals can include a:
+ Movement disorder specialist: provides
expert Parkinson’s care — diagnoses PD
or gives a second opinion; prescribes and
adjusts medication; recommends deep brain
stimulation or other surgery when necessary;
and discusses, and often leads, clinical trials + Social worker: helps patients and families
navigate insurance; provides supportive
counseling and disease education;
connects to community resources, such
as support groups; and assists with future
care and end-of-life planning
+ Physical therapist: directs and prescribes
exercises to ease movement symptoms,
especially balance and walking problems,
and creates personalized exercise programs + Counselor/psychologist: offers talk therapy
or other non-medication treatments to
lessen depression, anxiety, and other
common PD mood or behavioral symptoms
+ Occupational therapist: suggests
practical strategies and equipment for
making daily activities, such as showering,
dressing and eating, easier and safer Some find it helpful for a pharmacist to
keep track of medications and potential side
effects. Others like an exercise specialist to
keep them accountable. Significant depression
could add a psychiatrist to one’s team and
deep brain stimulation surgery would bring a
neurosurgeon.
+ Speech therapist: evaluates and treats speech
and swallowing problems, such as speaking
softly or coughing while eating, and offers
exercises for cognitive and language changes
+ Dietitian: adjusts diet if medication isn’t
working well or if needed to help manage
symptoms, such as constipation or low
blood pressure
Your symptoms and how they change will
direct who you need on your team and what
you need from them. A well-rounded team can
work in concert to look after the whole you —
not only your Parkinson’s or one part of it, but
all of you, with and without Parkinson’s.
Visit michaeljfox.org/ask-the-md to learn
more about these care team members and
how they can help you and your loved ones
navigate life with Parkinson’s.
The medical information contained in this newsletter is for general information purposes only. The Michael J. Fox Foundation
for Parkinson’s Research has a policy of refraining from advocating, endorsing or promoting any drug therapy, course of
treatment, or specific company or institution. It is crucial that care and treatment decisions related to Parkinson’s disease and
any other medical condition be made in consultation with a physician or other qualified medical professional.