Social Self-Management of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects 1% to 2% of the US population over age 60, and its prevalence is increasing as the population ages. The proposed research will establish the natural evolution of the social lives of people with Parkinson's disease and their families and its relationship to health outcomes, and thus has the potential to significantly advance Parkinson's disease research and evidence-based neurological nursing and rehabilitation. The project develops the new construct of social self-management of chronic disease and results will inform the development of new interventions aimed at supporting social integration and preventing isolation and loneliness in people living with Parkinson's disease.