Successful management of Parkinson's disease (PD) involves more than pharmacologic or surgical treatment. The diagnosis of PD is a defining moment in a person's life. Nothing will ever be the same. People often remember the exact circumstances of the moment before the physician said, “You have Parkinson's disease.” In the moment when the diagnosis is confirmed, the family member immediately becomes the patient. Emotions range from disbelief to anger and from fear to depression. How this diagnosis affects the patient and the family depends on the skill of the clinician in assessing their coping abilities and in providing education on the comprehensive management available. Using the nonpharmacologic strategy of education is essential to the successful treatment of PD.