The Role of the Primary Care Physician in the Management of Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

Abstract

Dementia is a frequent complication of Parkinson’s disease with an annual incidence of around 10% of patients with Parkinson’s disease. If dementia occurs in patients with Parkinson’s disease, it is typically many years or decades after the onset of Parkinson’s disease. It is devastating for both patient and family or caretaker when a patient with Parkinson’s disease develops dementia. Primary care physician is at the center of the care team for the patient. This chapter discusses the pivotal role of the primary care physicians in the management of patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia. A guide is provided to emphasize the art of practice for Primary care physicians which consists of knowing when and how to introduce a comprehensive ongoing care plan for individual patient with Parkinson’s disease dementia. Recommendations for maintaining some patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia in a status of relative independence are discussed. Indications for initiation of palliative care are also discussed.