How Fast Does Parkinson’s Usually Progress? What To Expect After a Diagnosis

It can start with an almost undetectable quiver of a hand. Then you notice difficulty in day-to-day tasks. Before you know it, you’re faced with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

As scary as it may seem, Parkinson’s disease doesn’t always quickly descend into severe stages. Many people live a functional and comfortable life for years.

How fast Parkinson’s progresses is entirely individual. But how you care for Parkison’s is not. 

Senior Services of America communities are dedicated to bringing quality-of-life care to residents facing a Parkinson’s diagnosis and educating our community about the progression of the disease. We share our knowledge on the subject in this blog.

Table of Contents

• How Fast Does Parkinson’s Progress
• What Are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
• The Five Stages of Parkinson’s Disease
• FAQs About the Progression of Parkinson’s Disease
• Senior Services of America Provides Comfortable and Inviting Communities for Older Adults with All Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

How Fast Does Parkinson’s Progress?

There is still a lot of mystery around Parkinson’s disease, commonly known as “PD”. What we do know is each person’s journey with PD is unique. Fortunately, treatment options have been shown to help improve the quality of life as the disease progresses.

People will often initially experience minimal symptoms, such as mild tremors, for a couple of years. The symptoms may be so minimal that it may be years before a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is pursued at all.

After several years, many people tend to progress into a more moderate stage of the disease. New symptoms may have popped up, or perhaps early symptoms have become more severe.

It is fairly common for patients to start experiencing more serious issues after around five years. At this point, it is often the case that it has become difficult to fully control the movement of your body.

Over the next 5-10 years progression may have a more serious impact on quality of life, increasing the risk of complications or related injuries such as falls.

Everyone’s situation is different. Each patient must work closely with their doctors and care providers to ensure that the best treatment plan can be implemented, and modified as the disease progresses.

What Are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain. As the brain controls so much of what we do and feel, PD can have a variety of seemingly unrelated effects.

Someone facing PD could have one symptom or any combination of symptoms. Having a particular symptom does not give you an idea of what other symptoms you may eventually develop.

Motor symptoms are the most readily noticeable and are classically associated with Parkinson’s disease. These are the symptoms that have to do with body movement. 

Non-motor symptoms are varied, and it can be difficult to know whether they are due to Parkinson’s disease or to one of many other root causes. These can range from depression to loss of smell.

Motor Symptoms

Many people are familiar with tremors that are commonly seen with Parkinson’s disease, however, there is a broad set of motor symptoms that can be associated with it.

Rigidity, also known as “akinesia” may be experienced. Akinesia can leave a person feeling “frozen”, and unable to willingly move their muscles.

Some motor symptoms impact specific functions, such as speech or handwriting. Perhaps there is slightly less motor control which results in difficulty walking with a natural gait.

Non-Motor Symptoms

As PD has become more deeply understood we now know that it is not just a motor disease. There is a wide range of non-motor symptoms, some of them “physical” while some are more cognitive in nature.

Low blood pressure, pain, sexual dysfunction, and vision problems are some examples of symptoms that manifest physically but are not as well-known as PD’s motor symptoms.

Other non-motor symptoms have more to do with how you feel or act. Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or even hallucinations or delusions are possible.

The Five Stages of Parkinson’s Disease: What Progression May Look Like During Each Stage

Parkinson’s disease progresses differently for each patient. Even with this kind of variability and uncertainty, it can be helpful to consider PD in terms of stages of progression.

Doctors Hoehn and Yahr created a system of stages for the progression of Parkinson’s disease. This scale uses the motor symptoms presented in the patient to determine how severe their PD is.

As motor symptoms are so prevalent with PD, this scale can be helpful. There is an additional scale — the Non-Motor Symptom Scale — which can help to understand the progression of non-motor symptoms.

Stage One

Stage one is considered “early” PD. This is where we start to see mild motor symptoms that present on only one side of the body.

In this stage, a patient may experience tremors in one hand, or perhaps a single leg that is a bit clumsy. Rigidity may be experienced along with, or instead of, tremors. These motor symptoms may have a slight effect on the patient’s ability to walk.

If the muscles in the face are affected, this can cause a change in normal facial expressions.

Stage Two

While this stage is also considered early PD, this is the point where motor symptoms have progressed. Here we start to see symptoms on both sides of the body, or along the “midline” (head, neck, and torso).

This is where walking or posture issues become more significant. It may start to take longer to perform normal tasks due to the reduced control of arms and legs.

Problems with speech may begin to occur at this stage. With more muscles in the face now affected, loss of facial expression on both sides or decreased blinking may be more noticeable.

Stage Three

Stage three is when the disease is now classified as “mid-stage PD”, and we get into symptoms that are considered moderate in severity.

At this stage, you may lose the ability to balance your body quickly and effectively. As a result, accidental falls are more common starting in stage three.

The tremors or rigidity will have increased in severity, but not yet to the extent where independent living is impractical. 

Stage Four

It is at stage four that symptoms are considered to be severely disabling — we are now in “advanced PD”.

Walking is likely very difficult without the help of a caregiver, or at least some kind of cane or walker. At this point, walking unassisted would be quite unsafe and a caregiver is required to help with daily activities. This is the point where the disease has progressed to the extent where independent living is not possible or safe.

Stage Five

At this point, walking — even if assisted — is extremely difficult.Typically in stage five, the patient is confined to a wheelchair when not bedridden.

This is the final stage and is certainly the most debilitating one. Often in this stage, serious cognitive symptoms have also developed, if they haven’t already. 

Dementia is common in late-stage PD, affecting approximately 75% of patients. You might also experience other behavioral issues such as hallucinations or delusions.

At this stage of PD, the goal of therapeutics is to balance the potential benefits with the associated side effects and challenges of the medications and therapies.

FAQs About the Progression of Parkinson’s Disease

How Long Does It Take to Go From Stage One to Stage Four Parkinson’s?

The stages of Parkinson’s disease progress differently for each person. Additionally, patients may have good days and bad days with symptoms resembling different stages.

It often takes 10 or 15 years for a patient to progress to stage four, however many do not progress beyond stage three.

Can Parkinson’s Get Worse Quickly?

Parkinson’s disease typically progresses slowly, over many years. PD can also be complex, with new symptoms popping up unexpectedly over time. This progression can vary from person to person, though an individual’s rate of progression is generally fairly consistent.

Although little is known about what can trigger the disease and what risk factors exist, age does appear to be a significant aspect. It has been observed that if PD symptoms begin later in life, then there is a higher risk of more severe symptoms.

You can’t predict when your symptoms will progress to where you may need additional assistance to maintain your quality of life. Fortunately, Senior Services of America communities have a full range of care options to help you if your needs change.

How Long Before Parkinson’s Becomes Debilitating?

Many years can pass by before symptoms progress to become debilitating. 

While each patient’s progression is different, usually after around 10 years there is at least one major symptom affecting daily tasks, mobility, or communication. 

From here, usually, we see progression continuing over the next couple of years to the point where daily care is required.

What Is the Prognosis for Someone with Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s disease certainly impacts quality of life, however, it is not as directly fatal as other diseases are. Various complications can arise because of PD symptoms, but the right care and medical attention can make a positive difference.

When you lose control of movement there is a big risk of falling, which can cause serious injury. Physical therapy and exercise can help reduce the risk of falling. Also, caregivers can help eliminate hazards in the home to increase safety.

Due to the various cognitive symptoms that can occur in later stages, patients may not notice minor injuries that could lead to infection. Regardless, as cognitive symptoms like dementia increase it makes quality of life very difficult without a dedicated caregiver.

Surrounding yourself with the right care is the key to many years of successfully living with PD. If you are looking for a senior living community near you, choosing one that can cater to your PD needs is essential.

Senior Services of America Provides Comfortable and Inviting Communities for Older Adults with All Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

If you or a loved one is faced with Parkinson’s disease, skilled caregivers make all the difference. A facility with additional care options can help ensure that the appropriate level of care can be delivered if symptoms change or progress. Make a plan to face your PD head-on, with all of the conveniences and advantages that a Senior Services of America community can provide.