This article discusses the management of levodopa for older people who have Parkinson’s disease and live in nursing homes. It provides a detailed description of the diagnostic criteria and motor and non-motor clinical features. Against this clinical picture, the benefits and challenges of levodopa management are considered. A person-centred approach is championed, as it supports collaborative clinical assessment and decision making between nurses and residents.
To appreciate why a person-centred approach is important for safe and effective medication practice, the pharmacological basis of levodopa management is explained. An empowerment approach to medication management is advocated that facilitates self-medication by residents. To this end, the importance of continuing professional development for nursing home staff is discussed.
Nursing Older People. 28, 9, 23-30. doi: 10.7748/nop.2016.e833
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 05 May 2016
Accepted: 17 August 2016
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