Improving medicine concordance in a patient with Parkinson's and dementia: a case study.

Abstract

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition characterised by a range of debilitating motor and non-motor symptoms and often leading to the development of Parkinson's dementia. People with Parkinson's need to take antiparkinsonian medicines at frequent and regular intervals to control their symptoms. However, concordance with medicines is often suboptimal, with some people taking excessive doses to alleviate their symptoms or forgetting to take their medicines. For people with Parkinson's living at home, monitoring and support from a community Parkinson's nurse specialist (CPNS), in coordination with local services, can assist them in managing their medicines and enable them to remain safely in their own home. This article discusses the case of one patient and the interventions provided to her over a six-month period by the CPNS, alongside the community multidisciplinary team, to improve her medicine concordance and ensure her safety.