Authors

  1. Karpatkin, Herb DSc, PT, NCS, MSCS
  2. Cohen, Evan PhD, MA, PT, NCS

Abstract

The confluence of an aging population and increasing life expectancy of people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson disease and multiple sclerosis means that there is a growing segment of the population who are aging with a neurodegenerative disease. As such, rehabilitation professionals must be prepared for the combined challenges of age- and disease-related changes in physical function. First, a review of age- and disease-related problems experienced by older adults with Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis will be presented, followed by a description of clinical practices that might be implemented by rehabilitation professionals to best address the problems experienced by these unique populations.