But although the majority of those with the disease are diagnosed in their late 50s, it occasionally affects people in their 40s or even younger.
When Rover test driver Steve Peat was told he had Parkinson's at the age of 46, the symptom-treating drugs were initially so effective he was able to continue his active lifestyle.
Mr Peat, now 56, of Sycamore Grove in Southam, said: "To start off with, the drugs were like a miracle cure and I climbed Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Sca Fell Pike in one weekend to help Cystic fibrosis sufferers."
But Mr Peat was quickly brought back down to earth with excessive dosages of dopamine which, combined with the shock of Parkinson's, hospitalised him for eight months with a nervous breakdown.
He said: "All of a sudden I couldn't do any of the things I used to be able to, like ballroom dancing with my wife Anne and playing badminton and volleyball.
"We also used to host dinner parties, so Parkinson's cut down our social life dramatically. I think I'm able to do something and then within ten minutes I can't.
"The relief the drugs give gets less and less over time and I've been surprised by how quick the problem has become so severe. You end up feeling run down because the muscles overreact, like running a race that you can't stop.
"Not many people realise it's painful as well. It's like trying to get rid of the worst cramp you've ever had and it never goes away."
The physical side forced Mr Peat into early retirement but the difficulty of coming to terms with the disease is still the hardest task.
He said: "One of the worst things is the lack of communication with people because you're lying there wanting to join in a situation and your brain knows exactly what you want to say but the muscles won't let it come out.
"It's very frustrating and people try to help out by putting words in your mouth and although they're only being kind, it makes it worse.
"I also used to enjoy spending time with my grandsons and taught the eldest how to cook but now I can't even pat them on the head and it's very difficult for them to understand.
"It can also affect your marriage as you become very self-centred. It's difficult for your partner to grasp an understanding of the problems you are having because they can be so different each day."
Many young sufferers have been put forward for a brain implant operation in which a battery is placed under the skin to send signals to override the Parkinson's.
But Mr Peat was turned down because of his adverse reaction to the drugs.
He said: "I saw the first guy who had it done and I thought 'this is for me' and I was all ready to have it done but unfortunately I was turned down.
"It was a real blow to my hopes and I don't think I'll ever be cured.
"But at times I'm perfectly normal and don't need my wheelchair and when we went to a wedding recently, I managed to push the chair out myself.
"I've got a strong partner to keep me going and will keep going by finding new things to do."

Anne Peat has provided 24-hour care for her husband Steve since taking early retirement.
The couple have been married for 17 years but, as Anne explains, their life together has been turned upside down by Parkinson's.
Here's a typical day.

6am. Steve usually needs to get up because the drugs have long since worn off. He is paralysed during the night and needs help whenever he has to get up which is normally two or three times.
7am. Steve takes his tablets but they don't switch on straight away and take three to four hours to kick in. While I'm waiting, I do any necessary housework so we can go out as soon as he is ready.
10am. By now Steve is usually washed, dressed and ready for the day but I have no idea how well the drugs will work which is frustrating. If Steve knows we need to go out, he can get a bit tense which makes the symptoms worse and means a lot of waiting around. Parkinson's rules more than one life.
11am. It's time for another dose of tablets and I just have to hope they work which is not always the case, especially in extreme weather.
Noon. Lunch depends on what we plan to do in the afternoon. If we are going out, then Steve can't have protein because it will negate the benefit of the drugs. He's a member of Leamington's Parkinson's society so joins in with them and has also taken up poetry and art to replace the things he can no longer do.
1pm. If I need to go out for more than half an hour then Steve comes as well. If he needs his wheelchair when we go shopping, then that combined with the trolley is like pushing a juggernaut around.
4pm. Steve will need help with another dose of tablets. His tremors are sometimes too severe for him to open bottles and even pour a glass of water. He needs to have them on time so I am always clock watching.
6pm. If we are going out, then we have to make it early on because by 9 o'clock Steve will be ready for bed. We used to go to the theatre but don't anymore because he feels he can't sit in comfort for long periods.
7pm. Steve takes his last dosage and on Thursday evenings I go to college and a carer arrives. We need to ration carers to the eight hours a week provided by social services because Steve may have Parkinson's for more than 30 years and we can't run out of money.
9.30pm. If I have gone out I need to make sure I'm back home by now and can't go for a drink after college because I obviously need to be 100 percent for another night.