Hospitalization for Parkinson's
One in three people with Parkinson's disease (PD) will be admitted to the hospital every year. Common reasons include infections, cardiac issues, injuries from falls, dementia-related behavioral issues, and elective surgeries. Hospitalization can be challenging for PD patients and stressful for caregivers.
Hospital physicians and staff may have limited experience with PD and may not understand critical aspects of care, such as the importance of precise medication timing or which commonly prescribed drugs can worsen PD symptoms. Planning ahead can help. Understanding your rights, preparing medication schedules, and knowing what to expect during hospitalization can reduce complications. Discharge planning is equally important.
Short Overviews on PD Hospitalization
Being in the Hospital with Parkinson’s
By Rachel Dolhun, MD. Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, July 13, 2022
Having Parkinson’s does increase the risk of hospitalization. But that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. This short article from the Ask the MD blog shares several steps you and your loved ones can take to make hospital visits as safe and productive as possible.
Hospitalization
By Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach Program, June 2024
This six-minute video shares how to advocate for yourself or someone with Parkinson's in the hospital to get PD medications on time, stretch, and exercise safely in the hospital, and maintain the medication regimen prescribed by your neurologist.
How People with Parkinson’s Disease Can Minimize Risks During Hospitalization
By American Parkinson Disease Association, August 5, 2025
A 2023 study found that PD patients are more prone to medical errors and worse experiences during and after hospitalization. This article discusses the different problems that can arise in PD hospitalization and how to best deal with each situation to reduce these risks.
Hospital Safety Guides for PD
Hospital Safety Guide
Published by Parkinson's Foundation, 2023
This 68-page booklet helps readers understand the risks people with PD face in the hospital, prepare to play an active role in the hospital before a crisis occurs, organize care information to use in the hospital (whether a planned or emergency visit), and provides step-by-step instructions to get your PD needs met.
Related webinar: Hospital Safety, December 14, 2023
Related webinar: Safe Movement in the Hospital, October 2, 2024
Medical Safety Information and Forms for Persons with Parkinson’s and their Care Partners
Prepared by Parkinson Association of Northern California and Parkinson's Association of San Diego, June 2024
This packet offers tips on how to be prepared for hospitalization. Forms include a physician letter to hospital staff emphasizing the need for compliance with medication dosing times and formulations, contraindicated medications and safe substitutions, recommendations for physical activity, swallow monitoring, and a review of potential complications. There are also forms for those with DBS or levodopa pumps, a medications list, as well as personal and health care contacts.
Expert Talks on PD Hospitalization
Hospitalization and Parkinson's
By Parkinson's Community Los Angeles, August 27, 2023
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorder specialist Adrienne Keener, MD, speaks about the hospital environment and preventable medical errors, reasons people with PD are hospitalized, medication Issues, advice to patients, infections, delirium, falls, low blood pressure, blood clots, neuropsychiatric symptoms, DBS or Duopa, caregiver challenges, advice for caregivers, and what to bring to the hospital.
Navigating Hospitalizations with Parkinson's
By PMD Alliance, June 2, 2022
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorder specialist Michael Okun, MD, lists specific actions you can take to ensure the best outcome possible, whether your hospitalization is planned or an emergency room visit.
There is also a 2020 video, Hospitalization and Parkinson's: What to Do, What to Know, and the companion Webinar Notes on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
How To Navigate A Safe Hospitalization with Parkinson's
By Neuro Challenge, March 2023
The information in this 30-minute talk by a movement disorder specialist applies not only to hospitalization, but wherever someone else is taking over your medication management (rehab, hospice, assisted living, etc). The speaker offers tips to get PD medication on time, avoid PD medication switching, avoid cessation of PD medications, and avoid contraindicated medications.
Management of Parkinson's Disease In The Hospital
By Michigan Parkinson Foundation, January 16, 2025
This one-hour webinar explains how the impacts of hospitalization disproportionately impacts those with Parkinson's disease (PD) and the complications that can arise from hospitalization, before sharing key interventions to prevent those complications.
Hospital Discharge Planning
Discharge Planning: Rights and Procedures for Medicare Beneficiaries in Various Care Settings
Published by Center for Medicare Advocacy
This lengthy article discusses in detail what discharge planning plans for, what the hospital is supposed to do to prepare a patient and their primary caregiver for discharge, how you should be notified of your patient rights regarding discharge, and how to argue being discharged.
Hospital Discharge Planning
By Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach, June 2024
This three-minute video talks about what to do if you or someone you love is being discharged from the hospital when the primary caregiver is uncomfortable performing medical tasks or the home has not been adequately prepared.
Hospital Discharge Planning: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
Published by Family Caregiver Alliance
This series of webpages offers information, tools, and resources for caregivers navigating the transition from hospital to home or a care facility, including legals issues affecting caregivers, keys to a successful transition, suggestions for improving the discharge process, checklists to help ensure the best care, and tips to remove barriers and encourage meaningful communication between you, the doctor, and other health care practitioners.
There is also a one-hour webinar from 2019, Discharge Planning is a Family Affair.
How to Fight a Hospital Discharge
By Trisha Torrey. Published by Very Well Health, February 16, 2020
This article is primarily for people who are not on Medicare, although there are some useful links for those who are. It explains why discharge is the decision of your insurance provider and what to do in situations when you should stay longer in the hospital.
Your Discharge Planning Checklist
Published by Medicare, March 2024
Use this six-page checklist throughout your hospitalization to prepare for discharge. Talk to your doctor and the staff about the items. Also included are tips to choosing a home health agency or nursing home, what to do if you think you’re being discharged too soon, space for your drug list and appointment schedule, and resources for community services and long term care planning.
Also of interest is the five-page California's Discharge Planning Law by the California Hospital Association.
Last updated April 2026 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.