Support
Once you have been diagnosed with Parkinson, ideally you will have access to a specialist team of healthcare professionals who will work with you to find the best way to manage your symptoms.
The members of this team may differ from country to country, depending on the resources available. You may not immediately need the support of every member of this team and the healthcare professionals you see on a daily basis may change with your treatment needs.
It is important therefore that you consider yourself and your family (including caregiver) as key members of your team involved in the management of Parkinson.
Core members of your specialist team
YOU and your family
Most importantly, try to consider yourself and your family a central part of this specialist team – this is afterall your condition.
Your family doctor
Usually your first point of contact is the healthcare professional you will probably see the most over the years. They will look after your general health and keep all of your medical records. They will also help to co-ordinate the care you receive from other healthcare professionals involved in your treatment.
The specialist doctor
This is a consultant, usually a neurologist or a geriatrician, who has specialist knowledge of Parkinson. You may only see the specialist occasionally and referral is normally via your doctor – ask to be referred if you feel you can benefit from speaking to a specialist.
The nurse
You may sometimes see a nurse, either in the clinic or your home, instead of seeing the doctor. In countries such as the UK, there are an increasing number of Parkinson nurse specialists who can provide specialist advice and information on coping with the day-to-day challenges of Parkinson.
The pharmacist
Another important part of your team. Try to make sure that you use the same pharmacy all the time and that it has a record of all your medication. The pharmacist can give you advice about your drug treatment and ensure that over-the-counter medication and vitamin supplements do not adversely interfere with your prescription drugs.
Other team members may include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, counsellors, speech and language therapists, dieticians, psychologists, psychiatrists and social caregivers.