Stel tijdig de diagnose ‘parkinsondementie’

Dementia is among the most devastating nonmotor features of Parkinson’s disease (PD), causing severe decline in quality of life, increased caregiver burden, increased mortality, and often institutionalization. The lack of prominent memory complaints and the increasing physical disabilities due to PD make it difficult for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care givers to recognize PD dementia. Education on the profile of cognitive decline to raise awareness in people with PD and caregivers is needed. A timely diagnosis can however result in a better disease management for people with PD and their caregivers, including personalized care, advanced care planning and a reduced risk of unexpected hospitalization. The fear of harming a long term patient-physician relationship can also pose a barrier in the diagnosis and the timing thereof. Interprofessional team-based dementia care can help diagnose and treat people with PD dementia.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.