Neuropalliative care aspects in patients with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Palliative Care in Parkinson's Disease (PD) is of growing interest. The burden of symptoms of late-stage PD patients is similar or even higher than those of patients suffering from oncological diseases. However, patients suffering from advanced phases of PD have tremendous unmet palliative care needs. The disease trajectories are often difficult to define, and initiation of palliative care approach has to be chosen carefully. Swallowing difficulties define the onset of the late and palliative phase and have to be seen as a landmark for palliative care involvement. Here we provide an approach to palliative care in PD in the final phase and also care for the relatives.