ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc in the lives of people worldwide, but for people who are elderly and have comorbid chronic conditions, the pandemic has been particularly devastating. Despite the growing research on the effects of COVID-19 on people with Parkinson's disease (PD), the long-term effects are unknown. Research does not support a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 among people with PD;however, the indirect effects of the pandemic mitigation efforts on the lives of people with PD are significant. The interruption of routine medical care and physical therapy and exercise programs along with the indirect effects of social distancing and pervasive lock downs appear to have contributed to worsening of previously experienced PD-related symptoms and the development of new ones. This pandemic has challenged the entire healthcare delivery model and, for people with PD, the resultant repercussions on quality of life have been and continue to be particularly consequential. In this article, we will describe how COVID-19 has negatively impacted the lives of, and healthcare protocols for, people with PD, along with a discussion of the broad implications and possible solutions (e.g., virtual exercise classes, telemedicine).
ABSTRACT
People living with Parkinson Disease (PwP) have been at risk for the negative effects of loneliness even before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Despite some similarities with previous outbreaks, the Covid-19 pandemic is significantly more wide-spread, long-lasting, and deadly, which likely means demonstrably more negative mental health issues. Although PwP are not any more likely to contract Covid-19 than those without, the indirect negative sequelae of isolation, loneliness, mental health issues, and worsening motor and non-motor features remains to be fully realized. Loneliness is not an isolated problem; the preliminary evidence indicates that loneliness associated with the Covid-19 restrictions has dramatically increased in nearly all countries around the world.