Therapeutic Care

Care for patients is a top priority for the UCSD Movement Disorder Program. To provide the best care to help alleviate symptoms, we begin with a comprehensive evaluation.

In addition to the routine medical evaluation (i.e. physical and histories), we also evaluate mental function, psychiatric health, motility and body function, and overall health satisfaction. Normally, it is the caregiver or a family member who brings the patient in; we also involve them in the evaluation process, as often they provide invaluable information as to the patient's status.

Once the initial evaluations are over with and a course of action has been discussed with the patient and their caregiver/family member, the patient's various therapeutic needs are addressed as needed. This may include:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and swallowing therapy
• Psychological counseling

We also provide social services assistance as needed.

After the patient begins their planned course of care, we continually monitor each of the areas of their well-being through meetings with each of the therapeutic areas' specialists, and update the patient's course as needed.

We discuss all aspects of care with the patient and their caregiver/family regularly, and input is greatly encouraged at all times. In fact, patients, family members, and caregivers regularly call us just to update us and ask questions as they think of them (that's what we want!).