Specialists and allied health professionals work with you, your family and friends as part of your multidisciplinary care team.
Assembling a diverse care team leads to better overall health outcomes and a higher quality of life. Each team member brings unique expertise to address different parts of symptom management, ensuring all aspects of your health and wellbeing are addressed.
Dietitians have an accredited degree in dietetics, are recognised by Medicare, the DVA and many private health insurers and can provide medical nutrition therapy. They help you create dietary plans and learn how diet and nutrition can improve your non-motor symptoms, and overall health and wellbeing.
Carers look after someone who needs help with their day-to-day living. Carers are often partners and family members but could also be colleagues, friends or neighbours. Many carers who live with a person with Parkinson’s will not view themselves as a ‘carer’. First and foremost, they will view themselves as a parent, wife, husband, sibling, son, daughter or partner. Carers can be any age. Children and young adults (aged 5 to 25) are called young carers.
In Parkinson's, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common and can significantly impact a person's quality of life. These symptoms arise from the involvement of the autonomic nervous system and can include constipation, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), and other digestive issues.
A General Practitioner (GP) can play a crucial role in the management of Parkinson's, especially in coordination with other specialists such as neurologists and geriatricians. GPs are valuable members of the care team for managing Parkinson's, particularly in providing primary care, monitoring overall health, and facilitating coordinated care with specialists to optimize patient outcomes and quality of life.
A geriatrician who is also a movement disorder specialist is a physician who has dual expertise in both geriatrics and movement disorders. This specialised training allows them to provide comprehensive care for older adults who are affected by neurological conditions such as Parkinson's and other movement disorders.
A mental health counsellor specialising in wellbeing is invaluable for your care team as there are complex emotional and psychological challenges associated with the condition. Parkinson’s impacts mental health, often leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, frustration, and uncertainty about the future. A counsellor provides a safe and supportive environment to address these emotions, offering coping strategies, stress management techniques, and tools for enhancing resilience. They help you navigate the emotional impact of PD, adjust to changes in lifestyle and relationships, and develop strategies for maintaining a positive outlook and quality of life. By focusing on mental wellbeing, counsellors play a crucial role in empowering you to effectively manage your emotional health, enhance your overall well-being, and cultivate a sense of control and purpose in your life despite the challenges.
A movement disorder specialist is usually a neurologist or geriatrician who has undergone additional training and specialisation in the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders. Movement disorder specialists have expertise in distinguishing between different types of movement disorders, understanding their underlying causes, and developing your individualised treatment plans.
A neurologist is a medical doctor specialising in diagnosing and treating disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. They are trained to evaluate and manage a wide range of neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, and neuropathies.
An OB/GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) is a medical doctor specialising in women's reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth, and the female reproductive system. They provide comprehensive care including routine gynecological exams, prenatal care, childbirth assistance, and management of reproductive health issues such as menstrual disorders, infertility, and menopause.
An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional who helps you improve your ability to perform daily activities and achieve independence despite physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges that come with PD. OTs assess your functional abilities, providing therapeutic interventions, and recommending adaptations or assistive devices to support optimal participation in meaningful activities at home, work, and in the community.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders and diseases of the eye and visual system. They perform eye examinations, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose and treat eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, and may also perform surgical procedures to improve or restore vision.
A Parkinson's nurse specialist is a registered nurse with advanced training and expertise in managing your care and treatment. They provide specialised nursing care, education, and support to you and your family, helping to optimise symptom management, medication adherence, and overall quality of life throughout the progression of the condition.
A pharmacist is trained in the science of medication therapy. Pharmacists work in various settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Their primary role is to ensure the safe and effective use of medications. Pharmacists dispense prescriptions, provide you with medication counselling, monitor for drug interactions and adverse effects, collaborate with your healthcare providers to optimise medication therapy and educate you on how to take their medications properly.
A physiotherapist, also known as a physical therapist, is a healthcare professional specializing in restoring and maintaining physical function and mobility. They assess, diagnose, and treat movement disorders and musculoskeletal conditions through exercise, manual therapy, education, and other therapeutic techniques to help patients improve their strength, flexibility, and overall quality of life.
A podiatrist is a healthcare professional specialising in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. They provide medical and surgical care for conditions such as bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, and diabetic foot care, aiming to promote mobility, relieve pain, and improve overall foot health.
A speech pathologist is a healthcare professional trained in the assessment and treatment of communication disorders and swallowing disorders. They work with you to improve speech, language, cognition, voice, and swallowing abilities through therapeutic interventions and techniques tailored to your needs.
A urologist is a medical doctor specialising in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. They address conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, prostate issues, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence through medical therapies, surgical interventions, and other specialised treatments.
