The information provided helps to address the most common reasons for hospital admission, ways to prevent them and who to contact or discuss this with if and when such symptoms occur.
1. Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
How to help prevent admission to hospital
These symptoms can be caused by infection, changes to medications and memory problems. If symptoms occur then a prompt discussion with a health care professional is required.
Who to contact if symptoms occur
- G.P.
- Parkinson’s nurse 0113 392 6689, [email protected]
- Parkinson’s UK 0808 800 0303
- Memory Service (if already known to the service and changes to symptoms)
- Consultant outpatient review
2. Urinary Tract Infection
How to help prevent admission to hospital:
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and help flush bacteria from the urinary tract
- Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to urinate, rather than holding it in
- Female patients should wipe from front to back after going to the toilet
- Practise good hygiene by washing your genitals with soap and water every day or before and after sexual intercourse
- Empty your bladder after having sex
Who to contact if symptoms occur:
- G.P.
- Community matron (if under the care of a matron)
- District Nurse
Note: the community team will be able to carry out a urine infection screen and treat accordingly.
3. Falls
How to help prevent admission to hospital:
- Adjusting Parkinson’s medications may help poor mobility issues
- Ask your specialist team about being referred to physiotherapy and occupational therapy as this can be very beneficial for learning techniques and introducing equipment to help safeguard mobility and support carers.
Who to contact if symptoms occur:
- Parkinson’s nurse 0113 392 6689, [email protected]
- G.P.
- Parkinson’s UK 0808 800 0303
- Consultant outpatient review
Environment
Who to contact or discuss with:
- Adult social Care, Leeds City Council 0113 222 4401
- Parkinson’s nurse 0113 392 6689, [email protected]
- G.P.
- Neighbourhood network team
- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapist
Physical
Functional
Clinical
How to help prevent admission to hospital
Your symptoms, medications, general health and a bone health assessment should be discussed with your healthcare professionals involved in your care:
A fracture risk assessment can be performed quickly and assess your need for further interventions such as a DEXA bone density scan, vitamin D and calcium tablets or injections.
Vitamin D is extremely important for bone health and a healthy immune system. In the UK, sunlight doesn’t contain enough UVB radiation in winter (October to early March) for our skin to be able to make vitamin D.
During these months, we rely on getting our vitamin D from food sources and supplements. Public Health England (PHE) advises us to take a vitamin D3 supplement daily during the winter months. Patients with Parkinson’s disease are recommended to take 800units a day of Vitamin D3.
- GP
- Pharmacist
- Parkinson’s nurse
- Community Matron
- District nurse
- Neighbourhood network team
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Adult Social Care
Blood pressure
How to help prevent admission to hospital:
Immediate action if symptomatic:
- Stop what you’re doing
- Sit or lie down
- Drink a glass of water
On-going management includes:
- Don’t sit out in the sun, or any hot environment for too long
- Try not to sit or stand still for long periods
- Avoid large heavy meals, eat small meals more frequently
- Drink water with and after a meal and throughout the day
- Bend or reach for something slowly and hold onto things to support you
- Avoid caffeine at night
- Raising the head of the bed during sleep to prevent postural hypotension on rising
Increase salt intake - Move lower limbs before attempting to stand if sat for a period of time
- Consider wearing flight socks (if possible, seek medical advice before purchasing)
- Review bone health and protection to prevent fractures (liaise with your GP or specialist team about this)
- Review suitability for medication such as midodrine or fludrocortisone and to review other medications for your heart and blood pressure which may be contributing to symptoms (GP or specialist team will advise on this)
Who to contact if symptoms occur:
- Parkinson’s Nurse 0113 3926689, [email protected]
- GP (Your GP can monitor your blood pressure in the community and help identify any underlying causes)
- Consultant outpatient review
- Community matron (if under the care of one)
- Parkinson’s UK 0808 800 0303
4. Chest infection / Pneumonia
How to help prevent admission to hospital:
- Contact your GP, you may need antibiotics
- Continue to take oral diet and fluids. If having swallowing problems take small quantities with each mouthful
- Be alert, sit upright
- Chew your food
- Ensure the food and drink is completely cleared before taking additional food, this may take a couple of swallows
- Ensure you rest when needed
5. Constipation
How to help prevent admission to hospital:
- Eat a balanced diet, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and fibre
- Drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol, avoid frizzy drinks, a warm drink with breakfast can encourage the bowel into a more regular pattern of emptying
- Exercise, keeping active and mobile may help people whose bowel is sluggish
- Seek GP or Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist advice for medication which may be helpful in alleviating constipation, if symptoms are long standing and problematic you may be referred onwards to a specialist team for further support and investigation
Who to contact if symptoms occur:
- G.P.
- Parkinson’s Nurse 0113 392 6689, [email protected]
- Community matron (if known to one)
- Parkinson’s UK 0808 800 0303
- Community Continence Team
6. Swallowing difficulties
How to help prevent admission to hospital:
- Referral to Speech Language therapist by Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist or GP
- Changing your diet consistency to make foods and fluids easier and safer to swallow. Advised by the Speech and Language Therapist
- Liaise with your Parkinson’s nurse, community matron or GP to see whether any problematic medication can be changed to a different form if you are struggling to swallow your daily medication
Who to contact if symptoms occur:
- Parkinson’s Nurse 0113 392 6689, [email protected]
- G.P.
- Community matron (if known to one)
- Parkinson’s UK 0808 800 0303
- Speech and Language Therapist 0113 843 3126 (please leave a voicemail message if the office is unattended)Text: 07729 080 968 (please include your name and date of birth)
- Email [email protected]
7. Depression
How to help prevent admission to hospital
DON’T ignore the signs, Seek advice from a health care professional
Who to contact if symptoms occur:
- G.P.
- Parkinson’s Nurse 0113 392 6689, [email protected]
- Leeds and York Partnership Mental Health Team (If already known to them and symptoms persistent or getting worse
- Community matron (if known to one)
8. Anxiety
How to help prevent admission to hospital
DON’T ignore the signs, Seek advice from a health care professional
Who to contact if symptoms occur:
- G.P.
- Parkinson’s Nurse 0113 392 6689, [email protected]
- Leeds and York Partnership Mental Health Team (If already known to them and symptoms persistent or getting worse
- Community matron (if known to one)
Contacts
There are also a number of National and Local charities who can support you with symptoms of Anxiety, they include:
Mindwell
A Leeds based Mental Health Charity, they will take self-referrals via telephone or online.
Samaritans
Mind
Parkinson’s UK
NHS 111
Open 24/7 if you, or someone you know, needs urgent care but it’s not life threatening. This includes advice for both your physical and mental health
Adapted for use in Leeds from the Rotherham NHS Trust: Keeping well in the community. A guide to help prevent hospital admission for people with Parkinson’s disease by Joanna Rose, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist.
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