Strategic Therapeutic Management of Late-Stage
Parkinson's Disease (Recorded Webinar)

Presented by Heather Cianci

Strategic Therapeutic Management of Late-Stage Parkinson's Disease (Recorded Webinar)

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Video Runtime: 175 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 19 Minutes

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from standard MedBridge courses.

Worldwide, people are living longer. Over the next 30 years the number of people living over the age of 60 is expected to almost double, with those over 85 being the fastest growing segment. While improvements in health care and lifestyles contribute to these numbers, diseases like Parkinson’s still make living well a challenge. As the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) advance into the later stages, functional mobility, activities of daily living performance, and quality of life all decline. At these stages, pharmaceutical and surgical management are quite limited. This is where the role of therapists and fitness professionals is vital in helping people with PD remain safer and mobile longer. Late stage does not mean it is too late for treatment.

This webinar will equip clinicians with the strategies and the specifics of working with individuals with late-stage Parkinson’s disease. It will cover the challenges of providing care for advancing disease, proper evaluation methods, outcome measurement tools, goal setting, treatment options, and collaborating with care partners to improve overall delivery of care to individuals with late-stage Parkinson’s disease.

Meet your instructor

Heather Cianci

Heather Cianci, PT, MS, GCS, is the outpatient neurological team leader and founding therapist of the Dan Aaron Parkinson’s Rehabilitation Center (Penn Therapy & Fitness) at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA—part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Heather received her bachelor’s in physical therapy from…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Parkinson’s Disease Overview

1. Parkinson’s Disease Overview

This chapter will provide an overview of the pathology and signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It was also discuss diagnosis, staging, and epidemiology. Knowledge of the underlying causes and presentation of Parkinson’s disease will provide learners a base from which to grow in their understanding of the progression of the disease.

What Is Late-Stage Parkinson’s Disease?

2. What Is Late-Stage Parkinson’s Disease?

This chapter will discuss the progression of the disease with an emphasis on the later stage and its complications. Knowledge of these complications will help learners better plan and provide treatment.

Motor Symptoms

3. Motor Symptoms

This chapter will discuss the motor symptoms and progressive complication that can impact mobility and safety. Knowledge of these complications will help learners better plan and provide evaluation and treatment.

Nonmotor Symptoms

4. Nonmotor Symptoms

This chapter will discuss the nonmotor symptoms and progressive complication that can impact mobility and safety. Knowledge of these complications will help learners better plan and provide evaluation and treatment.

Medical Management

5. Medical Management

This chapter will discuss the use of pharmacological treatment options. In addition, it will discuss advanced care planning. Knowledge of medication routines and side effects, along with understanding individuals' care choices will help learners better plan and provide treatment.

Surgical Management

6. Surgical Management

This chapter will discuss surgical options for management of symptoms. It will also discuss complications that can occur from these surgeries. Knowledge of surgery types, benefits, and complications will help learners better manage the treatment of their patients.

Evaluation Guidelines

7. Evaluation Guidelines

This chapter will discuss evaluation guidelines for both motor and nonmotor symptoms. Knowledge of appropriate outcome measurement tools will help learners provide defensible documentation of goals and better plan treatment.

Treatment Guidelines for Motor Manifestations

8. Treatment Guidelines for Motor Manifestations

This chapter will discuss guidelines for using evidence-based treatment options to manage mobility issues. As mobility becomes more unpredictable in this late stage, having a wide array of treatment options will benefit clinicians and patients.

Treatment Guidelines for Cognitive Manifestations

9. Treatment Guidelines for Cognitive Manifestations

This chapter will discuss guidelines for using evidence-based treatment options to manage cognitive issues that can interfere with mobility. As cognition declines in this late stage, having a wide array of treatment options will benefit clinicians and patients.

Care Partner Training

10. Care Partner Training

This chapter will discuss techniques for educating and training care partners in how to safely assist with mobility. Managing cognitive and communication issues will be touched on as well.

Palliative Care to Hospice Care

11. Palliative Care to Hospice Care

This chapter will discuss the role of palliative care and the transition to hospice care and the role therapists play in this. Knowledge of what palliative and hospice care provide will help learners better educate their patients and care partners in other disease management options.

Question and Answer Session

12. Question and Answer Session

This is a viewer-submitted question and answer session, which will be facilitated by Heather Cianci.