What lifestyle modifications can I recommend to patients with Parkinson's disease to improve their quality of life?

Lifestyle modifications recommended for patients with Parkinson's disease to improve their quality of life include:

• Regular access to Parkinson's disease nurse specialists for clinical monitoring, medication adjustment, support, and reliable information for patients and carers.
• Physiotherapy and physical activity: Referral to physiotherapists experienced in Parkinson's disease for assessment, education, advice, and Parkinson's disease-specific physiotherapy to address balance and motor function problems.
• Occupational therapy: Referral to occupational therapists with Parkinson's expertise for assessment, education, and advice on managing motor and non-motor symptoms, and offering Parkinson's disease-specific occupational therapy for difficulties with activities of daily living.
• Speech and language therapy: Referral for assessment and therapy to improve communication, swallowing, and saliva management, including strategies like expiratory muscle strength training and attention to effort therapies.
• Nutrition advice: Referral to dietitians for specialist advice, including discussion of protein redistribution diets for those on levodopa experiencing motor fluctuations, and advice to avoid reducing total daily protein intake.
• Vitamin D supplementation: Advising patients to take vitamin D supplements to support bone health and reduce fall risk.

These lifestyle interventions aim to maintain and improve motor function, communication, nutrition, and overall wellbeing, thereby enhancing quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients ¹.