AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise Please feel free to ask anything, but the more specific you are, the easier it is for me. Please share as many details as you are comfortable doing. I do check my Emails daily Monday through Friday so you should receive an answer within 24 hours on most business days. Thanks.
Experience GERONTOLOGY (NURSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE ELDERY) I have 15+ years experience working with the elderly. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. My areas of expertise include: Gerontology / Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Community Nursing, Palliative Care, Private Nursing Services, Intermediate / Extended Care. I also have a personal interest in Homeopathic and Eastern Medicine. If I can not answer your question I'll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you. Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Question Hello
My uncle was diagnoised with Parkinsons several years ago. We have been told now that he has been placed in a home and is in end stage parkinsons. Reading your responses to others I have learned that these patients normally pass away from other medical reasons. But should the person not contract pnuemonia or something, what is can we expect. They say "end stage parkinsons" and this has concerned the family that he is going to pass away. My question to clarify is that end stage is loss of most ablities or all to function on his own. This is not like saying end stage cancer, where it is a matter of days or so.
Answer Hi Lynn, so sorry to hear about your Uncle.
You are correct, "end stage" refers to when you reach a certain stage and show signs of advanced disease progression, it does not refer to prognosis or life expectancy at all.
"End Stage PD" symptoms include:
• Progressive decline
• Loss of ambulation
• Agitation that is more difficult to control
• Diminished cognitive & functional status
• Decreased appetite & progressive weight loss
• Increasing dyspnea (trouble breathing)
• Dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
• Recurrent infections
• Severe decline in mental status ,
and eventually Increased weakness, fatigue, drowsiness.
