ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on neuropathophysiological issues that contribute to neurological recovery and functional abilities that occupational therapists address to maximize quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Signicant progress has been made in the overall management of patients in the last decade. Therefore, it is essential for occupational therapists to be familiar with the hallmark signs and symptoms of PD and the implications of the therapeutic approaches discussed in other chapters in this volume. These have prompted occupational therapists to focus on and utilize assessments and intervention strategies that complement the efforts of the neurologist and rehabilitation team and lead to superior outcomes. Occupational therapists can then be seen as functioning as a member of the team, planning and implementing novel solutions, and contributing to multidisciplinary research. While considering the uniqueness of each patient, occupational therapy (OT) approaches should maximize wellness and restoration, impact functional recovery, contribute to measuring intervention effectiveness, and improve quality of life for fuller participation.
