Stages of Progression
Stages of Parkinson’s Disease, Focus on Motor Symptoms
Stage 1: During the earliest stage, the symptoms are often mild and tend to go unnoticed. Slight tremors or other movement symptoms may occur one one side of the body.
Stage 2: Tremors or other movement symptoms become stronger and affect both sides of the body. Changes in how a person walks or moves is recognizably different as daily tasks become more difficult.
Stage 3: As the disease continues to progress, balance becomes more challenging and movements become even more slowed. The person may still live independently but functions like eating or dressing themselves become more burdensome.
Stage 4: Often times, this becomes the transitional period where the person is no longer able to live alone. Walkers or other aides are used daily to help support a person’s limited mobility.
Stage 5: Patients are confined to a wheelchair or bed, and require a caregiver’s presence around the clock.