Epidemiology and therapy of Parkinson disease in inpatient nursing homes

: In 12 nursing homes for older people epidemiological and therapeutic data of patients with Parkinson's disease were collected. The mean rate of Parkinson's disease in all inhabitants was 12.5%, the mean clinical disability was 15.3 +/- 4.5 (Webster score). The mean age was very old (81.3 +/- 7.8 years). All patients showed one or more different diseases. The medical treatment was often not in agreement with symptoms. Physical therapy was applied only in 33% of patients. These and further data support the thesis that patients with Parkinson's disease in nursing homes may benefit from therapeutic patterns.