Inpatient Parkinson’s care: Challenges and special considerations

ABSTRACT

@#The hospital is often a haven for people in need of care. However, for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), hospitalizations can turn into a nightmare. People with PD are admitted to the hospital more frequently than those without PD. Infections, metabolic changes, exposure to anesthesia, changes in medication regimen or new medication changes are some common factors that may worsen PD symptoms during hospitalization. More importantly, the inherent complexity of PD pathophysiology creates challenges in management. Therefore, understanding PD pathophysiology and recognizing care gaps enable optimization of inpatient care among this vulnerable population.