People living with Parkinson’s face long wait times, inconsistent care across Canada

Parkinson Canada launches Limitless Parkinson’s Care campaign for this Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Accessing Parkinson’s care in Canada can be inconsistent and often depends on geography, income, and available services, leaving many in the Parkinson’s community waiting years for a diagnosis or without access to a specialist.

Parkinson Canada is dedicated to raising awareness of these challenges and advocates for more timely, equitable access to care for people affected by Parkinson’s in Canada. Through research, education, programs and services, Parkinson Canada is helping to ensure that people feel supported and understood. This April, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Parkinson Canada is shining a light on the underserved Parkinson’s community, by highlighting care challenges across the country and the resilience of people living with the condition.

Despite advancements in research and support, access to Parkinson’s care continues to lack consistency nationwide:

Throughout April, Parkinson Canada is working to accelerate change by:

Parkinson Canada is encouraging people across Canada to help champion the Parkinson’s community. People are encouraged to:

Together, we can remove barriers, improve care, and ensure every person with Parkinson’s gets the support they deserve. Visit www.parkinson.ca/PAM to take action and learn more.

Quotes

“Across Canada, too many people living with Parkinson’s face barriers that delay diagnosis, limit access to care, and add unnecessary stress to their daily lives. By working together alongside people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, health care professionals and governments, we can build a future where timely, equitable care is the standard.”

“Living on an island off Vancouver means that every visit to my neurologist means early mornings, ferry rides, and hours of waiting in between. Living with Parkinson’s is already challenging, and no one should have to go to such lengths just to access proper care and supports.”

“Accessing the right care wasn’t simple, especially without direct access to a specialist, and I had to rely on persistence and travel to get a clear assessment. I’m fortunate that I was able to make it happen, because I know others in the community may not have the same access to supports. Getting timely care should be something can count on, no matter where they live.”

“As Joey’s mom, I’ve learned that accessing the right care for a child with Parkinson’s can mean years of uncertainty, travel across provinces and significant financial strain just to reach specialists that understand his needs. While we’re grateful for the care he’s received, no family should have to work this hard or travel that far for support. Everyone deserves timely and appropriate care close to home.”

“I was fortunate to access a specialist and move through treatment without long delays, but I often think about how different my experience could have been if I hadn’t lived so close to proper care. Too many people are still waiting for referrals, assessments, or advanced treatments, and these delays are shaping their daily lives in ways they shouldn’t have to go through. Where you live shouldn’t determine how quickly you get the care that helps you keep living your life.”

– Elizabeth Rigley, living with Parkinson’s in Ottawa, ON

“I often meet people who have spent years navigating appointments and uncertainty before receiving a diagnosis, simply because access to specialized Parkinson’s care is limited and inconsistent. When care depends on where someone lives, people are left waiting far longer than they should. We need a system where people can access the care they need without delays, no matter where they live.”

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