Dependency and social impact of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

This article deals with the understanding and quantification of the dependency constraints and support needs of Parkinson’s disease and addresses its different negative consequences from a sociological perspective. Patient’s social life is affected, with a reduction in his or her social network, as well as a decline in its intensity and quality. The everyday life of caregivers, usually the patient’s spouse or daughter, also becomes deteriorated, since they take on a great deal of additional work. The analysis, focused in Spain, includes a review of the significant literature and available documentation, develops an analysis of original data from the Survey of Disability, Personal Autonomy and Dependency Situations (INE, 2008) and also includes information from the author’s own qualitative research.