Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s can be daunting, but knowing which allied health professionals and medical supports and services you need to maintain your quality of life doesn’t have to be. In addition to your friends, family and carers, we recommend getting a specialist multidisciplinary care team together as soon as possible.

What is a care team?

What is a multidisciplinary care team?

Your care team is a group of health professionals who work together to support you in managing Parkinson’s. At a minimum, your team should include:

  • General Practitioner (GP) – Your first point of contact for overall health management.
  • Neurologist or Movement Disorder Specialist – A specialist in Parkinson’s who can guide treatment options.
  • Geriatrician – If needed, they can help manage age-related concerns.
  • Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist – A vital link between you and your healthcare team, offering guidance on symptom management.

Beyond these core members, you may benefit from additional specialists, depending on your symptoms and needs:

  • Physiotherapist (PT) – Helps maintain mobility and balance.
  • Exercise Physiologist (EP) – Designs tailored exercise programs to improve strength and flexibility.
  • Occupational Therapist (OT) – Assists with daily activities and home modifications. Can prescribe assistive technology.
  • Speech Pathologist – Supports communication and swallowing difficulties.
  • Neuro-urologist & Continence Specialist – Helps manage bladder and bowel concerns. Urologists also help with men’s sexual dysfunction issues.
  • Mental Health Professional – Psychologists, psychiatrists, or counsellors can provide emotional support.
  • Dietitian – Guides nutrition choices to support overall health.
  • Social worker – Provides advocacy, emotional support, and guidance for accessing services like NDIS.

Why should I get a team together early?

Parkinson’s symptoms can progress unpredictably, and early intervention can help slow their impact. Starting therapies early—even while you’re still working—can help maintain function and independence for longer. Your care team can provide preventative strategies and tailored interventions to support your wellbeing.

Additionally, NDIS supports are available for people under 65 living with Parkinson’s. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help fund therapies, assistive technology, home modifications, and other services that improve your independence and quality of life. You can apply for an NDIS plan and ask your GP about a Chronic Disease Management Plan or Mental Health Plan to access allied health supports at subsidised fees.

Where can I look for care team members?

Refer to allied health therapy peak bodies in Australia to find one suitable for your situation and location, or arrange telehealth options. For example:

References: 

Goldman, J. G., Volpe, D., Ellis, T. D., Hirsch, M. A., Johnson, J., Wood, J., Aragon, A., Biundo, R., Di Rocco, A., Kasman, G. S., Iansek, R., Miyasaki, J., McConvey, V. M., Munneke, M., Pinto, S., St Clair, K. A., Toledo, S., York, M. K., Todaro, R., Yarab, N., … Wallock, K. (2024). Delivering Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Care in Parkinson’s Disease: An International Consensus Statement. Journal of Parkinson’s disease, 14 (1), 135–166. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-230117

Pirtošek, Z. Breaking barriers in Parkinson’s care: the multidisciplinary team approach. J Neural Transm 131, 1349–1361 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-024-02843-6

van Halteren, A. D., Munneke, M., Smit, E., Thomas, S., Bloem, B. R., & Darweesh, S. K. L. (2020). Personalized Care Management for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease. Journal of Parkinson’s disease, 10(s1), S11–S20. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-202126

Weise, D., Claus, I., Dresel, C. et al. Multidisciplinary care in Parkinson’s disease. J Neural Transm 131, 1217–1227 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-024-02807-w

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