Did you know Parkinson’s disease is on track to impact more than 25 million people worldwide by 2050? That’s a 112% increase from 2021, according to a recent report that’s making waves in the medical community. With numbers like that, it’s more important than ever for senior living communities to understand what’s coming—and prepare.

Researcher Tobias Kurth emphasized the urgency for innovations in drug development, gene therapies, and cell replacement strategies. In a study released on March 5, 2025, investigators noted that the global burden of Parkinson’s disease may be even greater than projected. As they wrote in The BMJ’s Projecting Parkinson’s disease burden, rigorous forecasting methods are crucial to steer resources, shape policy, and accelerate progress in treatment. The numbers are certainly daunting, but the message is clear: we must act now.

And it’s not just about rising cases. There’s growing concern over how Parkinson’s-related dementia impacts recovery from common procedures like hip surgery. A Swedish national registry study published in European Geriatric Medicine found that individuals with PD-related dementia had a significantly higher risk of death post-surgery. The death rate within the first month was 13% for those with dementia compared to 6% in those without. Most strikingly, people with Parkinson’s disease were over five times more likely to die after surgery than those without. You can read more in this McKnight’s article that highlights the need for comprehensive, holistic care following such events.

It’s not all gloomy news, though. A remarkable breakthrough has just emerged from researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. For the first time ever, scientists have uncovered the structure and activation process of PINK1—a protein directly linked to Parkinson’s. Discovered over two decades ago, PINK1’s full function had remained a mystery—until now. According to this report on EurekAlert!, this discovery paves the way for new drugs that could slow or even stop disease progression in those carrying the PINK1 mutation.

Imagine how this could change the future for residents living with Parkinson’s disease. Longer lives, better quality of life, and renewed hope all start with discoveries like this one. The ripple effect of research truly touches every corner of care.

Stay well and stay informed!