Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease
Most people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) develop symptoms after age 60. When symptoms begin before age 50, it is called young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD), also referred to as early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD). A much rarer form, sometimes called juvenile Parkinson’s disease, develops before age 21.
Younger people are often still employed and may have children in school. There are legal and financial issues that require careful planning. Insurance coverage is crucial until one qualifies for Medicare (or Medicaid). These resources will help you understand and navigate these issues.
You may also be interested in Active YOPD Blogs listed on our page for PD blogs.
Overviews
Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation
This webpage considers employment, financial, family planning, parenting, relationship, and marriage issues specific to EOPD. A five-minute personal account is featured.
Not What I Planned For Me or My Family
By Parkinson's Foundation, September 15, 2020
This one-hour webinar describes benefits of interdisciplinary care early in diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD), identifies three proactive strategies for living well with Parkinson’s at a young age, and identifies at least two steps for planning ahead for your family.
Young Parkinson's Handbook: A Guide to Patients and Their Families
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association National Young Onset Center, 2008
This 53-page booklet provides the basics on PD and YOPD. There are also chapters on mind, memory, and behavior as well as changing roles and relationships. This is an excellent print publication for someone newly-diagnosed with young-onset PD.
Stories
I’m 35, with two young children – and Parkinson’s
By Lucy Wallis. Published by BBC News, April 11, 2019
At 29, Ellie was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Despite how people sometimes react, and having to accept compromises in caring for her children, she decided it wasn't going to stop her living her life the way she wanted to. This 5-minute read includes Ellie's story and a link to her blog about life as a young mom with Parkinson's disease, PD Mom.
What Young-onset Parkinson’s Can Look Like
By Sherri Woodbridge. Published by Parkinson's News Today, July 19, 2017
This short webpage shares a personal account of some ways in which young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) can manifest and how YOPD symptoms can be misdiagnosed due to a person's youth.
YOPD Council Webinar Series
By Davis Phinney Foundation
This series of moderated panel discussions with members of the YOPD Council focuses on topics related to issues unique to people living with YOPD. The panel shares experiences and resources, and answers questions from attendees. Topics include sex, love, dating & PD, work, money, meaning & PD, disability, insurance & PD, and more.
Also check out the YOPD Women Webinar Series that focused on topics such as contraception, pregnancy, hormones, body image, etc.
Young Onset Parkinson's: A Conversation of Our Unique Needs
By Parkinson Canada, May 26, 2020
In this one-hour webinar, a panel of four people living with YOPD from across the globe discuss the unique challenges they face. Panelists include podcast host Larry Gifford, physician and advocate Dr. Soania Mathur, Amazing Race Canada winner Tim Hague, and ParkinStand founder Omotola Thomas.
Webinar Notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Videos with Clinicians
Challenges and Treatment of Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, June 15, 2017
This one-hour webinar features Dr. Rachel Dolhun and two people with YOPD. They discuss the unique challenges that YOPD face around work, family and different approaches to treatment. Symptom management may differ due to long-term use of medications. Registration is required, but is free.
Also, watch this four-minute video of Dr. Rachel Dolhun noting that those with YOPD are frequently misdiagnosed as they may have different symptoms from those diagnosed later in life.
Dementia and Young Onset Parkinson's
By Davis Phinney Foundation, April 15, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorders specialist, Rodolfo Savica, MD, explains that YOPD is not the same disorder as older-onset PD. Generally speaking, people with YOPD have the same life expectancy and develop the same types of dementia at the same ages as the general population. He offered tips for coping with YOPD, like taking higher doses of dopamine medications during vigorous exercise or stressful times of day.
Webinar Notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
YOPD: Balancing Life, Family, and Work
By Parkinson Society British Columbia, July 13, 2021
Clinical social worker Elaine Book talks for about 50-minutes about the challenges and possible solutions that will create more balance in your daily experience while managing your health, work demands, and life's responsibilities.
Workplace Issues
Sharing Your Parkinson's Diagnosis at Work, A Practical Guide (two parts)
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation
This is a two-part guide. The first part (three pages) provides practical tips and tools for crafting a personalized strategy to bring PD into the workplace. The second part (five pages) recommends strategies for continuing conversations, handling common reactions and situations, and managing long-term professional relationships.
Parenting
Parenting with Parkinson’s: Lessons Learned
By Soania Mathur, M.D. Published by PD Wise
After sharing her story of being diagnosed with PD at 27 and her worries of becoming a mother with PD, Dr. Mathur (ret.) shares four tips for being a better parent with PD.
Parkinson's and Your Children/Teenagers
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
Natural reactions children and teens may experience when a parent has young-onset PD, and how to help them adjust. Also included are a Parkinson's book list for kids, tip sheets for kids and teens, and online Parkinson's parenting resources.
There is a related Parkinson's and Your Children/Teenagers fact sheet and a Parenting with Parkinson’s: 7 Tips to Help Kids Flourish webpage.
Talking with Children and Teens
My Mommy Has PD, But It's Okay: A Guide for Young Children About Parkinson's Disease
By Jan Quist. Published by American Parkinson Disease Association
This 24-page booklet was developed to assist you in talking with your child about Parkinson’s disease and in answering some of the more common questions children ask about the disease. Reading the booklet together provides an opportunity for discussion within families.
Talking to Children and Teens About Parkinson's
Published by Michael J. Fox Foundation, 2018
In some families, children never know their parent or grandparent without PD. For others, the diagnosis is a defining moment. No matter when PD enters a child’s world, there will be questions about the disease and also likely fears or misinformation that need to be addressed. The most productive discussions are thoughtful and open. Use this six-step guide to help you have conversations about Parkinson’s with your family and the children in your life.
Talking to Your Teen About Parkinson's Disease: FAQs from Parents of Teenagers
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2019
This three-page fact sheet of frequently asked questions from the parents of teenagers includes answers that may help you navigate life with PD and teenagers, including suggestions on how to communicate the diagnosis, prepare for potential reactions, and ultimately remain an active, involved parent.
Last updated October 2025 by Stanford's Parkinson's Community Outreach.