Reflections on World Parkinson’s Day

Dr Rosie Varden is a Geriatrics Registrar in the Northern Deanery. She is undertaking a 3 year research post, as formal out of training experience, looking at the prevalence of Parkinson’s in Cumbria. She is a Trainee Rep in the Movement Disorders SIG.

Today, 11th April, is World Parkinson's Day. This year Parkinson’s UK is using the opportunity to ’shine a light’ on the real life experiences of people affected by Parkinson’s, both good and bad. Over the last couple of years, I have enjoyed the more unusual enterprises seen on World Parkinson’s Day. Somehow it always seems to reflect the compassion, optimism, and sense of humour so often seen in our patients. Previous years have seen initiatives including poetry writing and monuments lit up in blue (although the less said about the blue iced carrot cake I brought to clinic a couple of years ago, the better!). This year is set to be no different. Parkinson’s Europe are launching their summer of sport ahead of the Paris Olympics, highlighting the importance of movement and exercise, and the PD Avengers have launched their ’Dopamine Dance’.

As health professionals caring for older adults, events like these are important to ensure that lived experience is not lost. Listening to the stories people share about how they navigate the ups and downs of their Parkinson’s is as vital as perhaps tweaking their medication. The recent BGS (Brit)MODIS Movement Disorders Meeting, held in Leeds on 15th March, was a wonderful opportunity to take some time out to reflect on the importance of multi-disciplinary and person-centred care for older adults with Parkinson’s.

The day started with a brilliant overview and practical approach to the uses of advanced therapies and novel treatments, including Produodopa, Apomorphine and Deep Brain Stimulation. The Parkinson’s community is feeling increased optimism that some of these treatments will be well tolerated and of real benefit to older adults. The session helped to summarise recent evidence, portraying risks and benefits in a way that will enable clinicians and patients to make informed decisions about ongoing care. The platform presentations and posters covered a wide range of topics, from utilising handgrip strength measurement in Parkinsons, to integrating a psychiatrist in the multi-disciplinary team. As always, this really highlighted the wonderful research and quality improvement projects that are being carried out at a local and national level by health professionals at all stages.

The afternoon session covered practical aspects of more routine clinical care, as well as helping to achieve some curriculum competencies. As a trainee, the session on atypical Parkinsonism and dementia provided me with some helpful tips in the management of these individuals. It was a reminder that it sometimes takes time for a diagnosis to become clear and navigating this uncertainty with patients is an evolving process. In the dysphagia session, the importance of better understanding swallow in Parkinson’s was really brought home. Practical advice on swallow assessment and balancing risk was discussed, as well as the vital role that good nutrition plays. This emphasised the challenges posed by dysphagia during hospital admission.

As the day drew to a close, I reflected that there is cause for hope, as those involved in the care of older adults strive for advanced therapies suitable for those with multimorbidity and cognitive problems. I was struck by how we should all feel empowered to create meaningful change even if in small ways locally. So perhaps we can all mark World Parkinson’s Day, whether you get the opportunity to do the dopamine dance, ‘turn it blue’ or simply reflect on an exciting time with new treatments on the horizon. These events, the collaborative efforts with patients and the inspiring stories they so often share, are, I hope you agree, what makes it all worthwhile.