Dear Lara,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract
Above is an abstract link you can copy into your browser and read. According to this research article, olfactory (sense of smell) is a possible way to identify if your mother has vascular parkinson's disease or idiopathic parkinson's disease.
I would follow up with the neurologist (who sounds great) about the vivid dreams. It is usually a reaction to a med she may have been prescribed.
What a lucky mom to have such a caring daughter.
Love,
Vicky