April is Parkinson’s Disease Month—did you know it’s the fastest growing neurodegenerative disorder in the world? Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in older adults can be challenging, often requiring a process of elimination and symptom tracking. But that may be changing. A new study using AI, called the Automated Imaging Differentiation for Parkinsonism (AIDP), could help simplify the diagnostic process in the future. In a prospective, multicenter cohort study published in JAMA Neurology, researchers suggested using AIDP in the diagnostic workup for common parkinsonian syndromes. That’s exciting news—finally, a tool that shows promise for clearer diagnoses!

Living with Parkinson’s is no easy feat. Many residents with PD struggle with speech—hushed voices, reduced pitch range, and articulation issues are common. And as if that weren’t enough, natural age-related changes to the voice box—like muscle shrinkage or lower mucus production—can add vocal strain and affect pitch. But here’s something fascinating: a study conducted across Chile, Spain, and the Netherlands found that voice issues in PD are not simply the result of aging. Instead, they seem tied to the resident’s limited self-awareness of voice problems. It’s a reminder of just how complex PD can be.

Another important area of research touches on hospice care. A study in JAMA Network Open found that hospice enrollees with PD or dementia with Lewy bodies were less likely to be disenrolled due to extended prognoses compared to those with Alzheimer’s disease. However, these residents often present greater challenges due to behavioral symptoms such as psychosis. Are your residents with PD or Lewy body dementia getting the hospice access they need? This might be a valuable conversation to have with your medical director and local hospice partners. Additional support could significantly improve the quality of life for both residents and their families.

And of course, no discussion of Parkinson’s Disease would be complete without talking about falls. Residents with PD are at high risk, especially as the disease progresses. But there’s good news—vestibular-oriented balance training during the mid-stages of PD can improve postural control. In a recent study published by Neurology Research International, fall risk dropped by 30% by week eight and remained reduced. That’s a result worth paying attention to! The takeaway? Physical therapists should start balance-focused interventions earlier, ideally while residents are still in the mild to moderate stages of the disease.

So, what do you have to lose? Bring your therapy group together, share these findings, and see how you can support your residents living with Parkinson’s disease. The impact could be greater than you think.

Stay well and stay informed!