{"id":63635,"date":"2025-04-01T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/?p=63635"},"modified":"2025-04-01T14:28:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T14:28:20","slug":"parkinsons-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/parkinsons-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Parkinson&#8217;s dementia: What caregivers need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When actor Michael J. Fox, famous for his roles in &ldquo;Back to the Future&rdquo; and &ldquo;Family Ties,&rdquo; announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson&rsquo;s disease at the age of 29, it shone a spotlight on a disorder that was seldom visible in society &mdash; a grueling, degenerative condition that affects a person&rsquo;s speech and mobility. In interviews with Fox at the time (rare as they were), he&rsquo;d often exhibit those telltale <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Xm9tKoudTVE&amp;t=129s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Parkinson&rsquo;s symptoms<\/a>.<\/p><p>But while those movement- and speech-related effects of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease were the most prominent to America when Fox appeared onscreen, what <em>wasn&rsquo;t<\/em> so apparent was the condition&rsquo;s direct tie to cognitive impairment and memory loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>According to Dr. Egilius L.H. Spierings, a neurologist at <a href=\"https:\/\/medvadis.com\/?utm_source=care.com&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=mdv-alzheimers&amp;utm_content=expansion-earnedmedia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MedVadis Research<\/a> in Boston, cognitive impairment &mdash; including dementia &mdash; and Parkinson&rsquo;s disease are often synonymous.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-custom-dynamic-list key-takeaways-block\"><h3>Key takeaways<\/h3><div class=\"key-takeaways-container\"><ul><li>Parkinson&rsquo;s disease often leads to dementia, impacting memory, thinking, and mood. <\/li><li>Unlike Alzheimer&rsquo;s, it affects both short- and long-term memory. <\/li><li>Caregivers can help by maintaining routines, simplifying choices, and ensuring a safe, structured environment.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-parkinson-s-dementia\" data-toc-id=\"3a228519\">What is Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia?<\/h2><p>According to Spierings, Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia is not the same as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alz.org\/alzheimers-dementia\/what-is-dementia\/types-of-dementia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">other types of dementia<\/a>, including Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. And, in comparison to other forms of dementia, Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia is also often overlooked when it comes to emerging research and studies surrounding the disease (Spierings notes that it tends to receive fewer funding dollars.).&nbsp;<\/p><p>&ldquo;Most people think of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease as a movement disorder, in which a patient experiences tremor, stiffness and slowing of movement,&rdquo; says Spierings. &ldquo;In reality, Parkinson&rsquo;s disease can also result in cognitive impairment, with studies suggesting that between <a href=\"https:\/\/memory.ucsf.edu\/dementia\/parkinsons\/parkinson-disease-dementia#:~:text=Up%20to%2080%25%20of%20people%20with%20PD%20eventually%20develop%20dementia.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">50 to 80% of people<\/a> afflicted with this condition experience dementia.&rdquo;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&ldquo;Parkinson&rsquo;s disease can result in cognitive impairment, with studies suggesting that between 50 to 80% of people afflicted with this condition experience dementia.&rdquo;<\/p><cite>&mdash; Dr. Egilius L.H. Spierings, neurologist at MedVadis Research<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure><p>Here, Spierings and other experts outline the symptoms of Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia, how it&rsquo;s diagnosed and more.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-symptoms-of-parkinson-s-dementia\" data-toc-id=\"4e529f46\">Symptoms of Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia<\/h2><p>Not everyone who is diagnosed with Parkinson&rsquo;s will also experience cognitive impairment and dementia, according to Spierings, but for those who do, dementia symptoms tend to set in 10 to 15 years following a diagnosis. Of course, that&rsquo;s not always true &mdash; when dementia and motor-related symptoms set in simultaneously, patients are often diagnosed with dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parkinson.org\/Understanding-Parkinsons\/Symptoms\/Non-Movement-Symptoms\/Dementia\/FAQs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Parkinson&rsquo;s Foundation<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Like Alzheimer&rsquo;s, Spierings says that initial symptoms of Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia (and the progression of the disease) can be harder to detect in early stages. He notes, however, that a few key behavioral changes can often lead to a diagnosis. They include:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Increased changes in memory or judgment&nbsp;<\/li><li>Anxiety<\/li><li>Changes in mood and\/or personality<\/li><li>Decreased appetite<\/li><li>Frequent sleep disturbances&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-does-parkinson-s-dementia-occur\" data-toc-id=\"2900e45f\">When does Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia occur?<\/h2><p>As for what age Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia typically sets in, <a href=\"https:\/\/clinicalbioethics.georgetown.edu\/jgiordano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James Giordano<\/a>, who holds his doctorate in biopsychology and is a professor of neurology at Georgetown University Medical Center, says that middle age tends to be the most common.<\/p><p>&ldquo;Given that Parkinson&rsquo;s disease can occur at almost any age, it is most common for movement signs and symptoms to occur during the late 40s to mid-50s, with a progressive worsening over decades,&rdquo; says Giordano.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-you-can-tell-the-difference-between-alzheimer-s-and-other-forms-of-dementia-nbsp\" data-toc-id=\"56c6dc82\">How you can tell the difference between Alzheimer&rsquo;s and other forms of dementia&nbsp;<\/h2><p>As mentioned above, Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia, Alzheimer&rsquo;s and other forms of dementia tend to have key signifiers when setting in. But as Giordano explains, one key differentiator between the two lies in the span of memory loss.&nbsp;<\/p><p>&ldquo;The early signs of Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia include problems with both short and long-term memory, planning and mood,&rdquo; he notes. &ldquo;Unlike Alzheimer&rsquo;s dementia, which is characterized by disruption of short-term memory, at least initially, Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia tends to involve both short- <em>and<\/em> long-term memory.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Spierings adds that patients with Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia more frequently experience impairments in executive functioning and speed of thinking and mood, whereas Alzheimer&rsquo;s patients tend to have trouble with language and memory. &ldquo;Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia patients are also at a greater risk for hallucinations and paranoid thinking,&rdquo; he adds.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Although there is no cure for Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia, or a way to stop the disease&rsquo;s progression, there are FDA-approved treatments available to help curb some of the symptoms, says Dr. Giordano. He notes that these include cholinesterase-inhibitor drugs like donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine.&nbsp;<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-caring-for-someone-with-parkinson-s-dementia\" data-toc-id=\"a8ef5947\">Caring for someone with Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia<\/h2><p>Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia can be challenging for both the person dealing with the disease and their loved ones. But as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/parkinsons-resources-for-caregivers\/\">caregiver<\/a> in their life, you offer one of the most critical components of their treatment.<\/p><p>Here, experts outline the best ways to care for someone with Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&ldquo;Speak to your loved one in a calm and quiet manner. Raised voices and displays of frustration will typically worsen an already challenging situation.&rdquo;<\/p><cite>&mdash; Dr. Egilius L.H. Spierings, neurologist at MedVadis Research<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-set-a-daily-routine-and-stick-with-it-nbsp\">1. Set a daily routine and stick with it&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Tina M. Baxter, a gerontological nurse practitioner, says one of the most effective ways to support Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia patients is through structure.&nbsp;<\/p><p>&ldquo;Stick to a routine or structured schedule to avoid confusing the person,&rdquo; she explains, noting that this can be done in a few ways:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Wake up and go to bed at the same time each day.<\/li><li>Ensure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/quick-easy-healthy-meals-for-seniors\/\">meals<\/a> occur at the same time each day.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Engage in some time of pre- and post-bathing ritual (i.e. a bath right after dinner).<\/li><\/ul><p>&ldquo;A set schedule can lessen a patient&rsquo;s anxiety and agitation,&rdquo; adds Spierings.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-avoid-offer-too-many-options\"><strong>2. <\/strong>Avoid offer too many options<\/h3><p>On a similar note, Baxter tends to keep the options her patients have fairly limited to keep things simple. &ldquo;Avoid complicated instructions with caregiving [for someone with Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia],&rdquo; she explains. &ldquo;For example, instead of offering the entire closet of shirts to choose from, only offer one or two options.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p><p>She also says that putting these types of tasks in a step-by-step format can help, too. &ldquo;In lieu of asking that person to put on their pants, shirts, socks and shoes all at once, break it down step-by-step with one task at a time,&rdquo; she explains. &ldquo;Be encouraging without being patronizing.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-create-clear-clutter-free-pathways-nbsp\"><strong>3. <\/strong>Create clear, clutter-free pathways&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Just as you&rsquo;d remove the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/talking-to-seniors-about-clutter\/\">clutter<\/a> of choice from a Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia patient&rsquo;s life by setting a routine and limiting options, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/how-to-help-seniors-clean\/\">declutter that person&rsquo;s home<\/a> to enhance their safety, notes Spierings.&nbsp;<\/p><p>&ldquo;Simplifying the home environment can reduce visual stimulation and help improve the patient&rsquo;s difficulties with disorientation and even memory,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;Use of a nightlight can also be very helpful in reducing the confusion and visual hallucinations that can occur during the night.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Baxter agrees, noting that nightlights are often key in helping her patients avoid visual misperceptions, such as strange shadows, that can lead to Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia-triggered hallucinations.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-communicate-effectively-nbsp\">3. Communicate effectively&nbsp;<\/h3><p>For Spierings, one tip he often advises to caregivers for Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia patients is to use communication to your advantage.&nbsp;<\/p><p>&ldquo;Speak to your loved one in a calm and quiet manner,&rdquo; he suggests. &ldquo;Patients with Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia can become agitated [from] their struggles with communication due to memory impairment. Raised voices and displays of frustration on the part of the caregiver will typically worsen an already challenging situation.&rdquo;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-keep-in-close-regular-contact-with-the-patient-s-care-team-nbsp\">4. Keep in close, regular contact with the patient&rsquo;s care team&nbsp;<\/h3><p>As a person with Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia will have some cognitive impairment, it&rsquo;s critical for caregivers to be the main point-of-contact among the loved one&rsquo;s care team, says Baxter.&nbsp;<\/p><p>&ldquo;Discuss any problem behaviors with the person&rsquo;s health care provider as medication changes, infections and illnesses can cause some confusion [for a person with Parkinson&rsquo;s dementia],&rdquo;&nbsp; she notes. She adds that, in her experience caring for patients, many medications for the disease can lose effectiveness or have on-and-off effectiveness. So it&rsquo;s critical to monitor the loved one&rsquo;s progress.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Most importantly, says Spierings, whenever initiating a new treatment protocol, caregivers should work closely with a doctor familiar with Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Experts explain how Parkinson\u2019s dementia is diagnosed and treated, plus, how to care for a loved one who has the disorder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1326,"featured_media":63639,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"enable_toc":true,"care_reviewed_by":0,"care_post_updated_flag":false,"care_updated_date":"2025-04-01T04:00:00.000Z","last_update":"2025-04-01","view_count":1731,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"member-type":[5,3],"vertical":[8,33],"platform":[2],"class_list":["post-63635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","member-type-provider","member-type-seeker","vertical-seniors","vertical-senior-care-advice-tips","platform-resources"],"acf":[],"created":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1326"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63635"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":215245,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63635\/revisions\/215245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63635"},{"taxonomy":"member-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/member-type?post=63635"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=63635"},{"taxonomy":"platform","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/platform?post=63635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}