Parkinson’s disease gets worse over time and cannot be reversed. How fast it gets worse is different for each person. Many people can live for years without serious problems.
Over time, symptoms make it harder to do daily activities. They can also affect thinking and memory. For example, up to 80 percent of people with this disease will develop a type of dementia linked to Parkinson’s. This usually happens about 10 years after the first movement problems start.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s. But some medicines and treatments can help improve symptoms and quality of life.
How common is Parkinson's Disease
More than one million adults in the U.S. have Parkinson’s disease. Most of them are 60 years old or older. About 1 percent of adults at age 60 have it. By age 80, that rises to 3 percent. It is 1.5 times more common in men than in women.
Last Updated My 2026