advanced Parkinson’s disease

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the burden and the quality of life (QoL) perceived by caregivers assisting advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.; Patients and Methods: Consecutive advanced PD patients treated with levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) or continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI) or care as usual (CU) and their care partners were recruited during routine visits according to a cross-sectional design.

People with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) are living at home being cared for by a family member. Decisions about health care and living preferences are made in a family context. The aims of the study were to (a) examine the types and timing of the decisions being made by dyads (person with Parkinson's [PWP] and caregiver) in advanced PD; and (b) explore perceived decision quality relative to specific decisions made. A mixed methods design of semi-structured dyad interviews followed by individual completion of decision measures twice at six months apart was utilized.