Lewy Body Dementias

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a complex and challenging brain disorder. LBD is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain and cognitive decline that worsens over time. This publication is to help people with Lewy body dementia, their families, and professionals learn about this disease and resources for coping.

A Caregiver's Guide to Lewy Body Dementia is the first book to present a thorough picture of what Lewy body dementia really is. Combining current strategies for managing symptoms and behaviors with personal examples that connect to readers' own experiences, this is the ideal book for caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals seeking to understand the disease and provide support to their loved ones. Written in easy-to-read language, the chapters incorporate handy facts and tips throughout, definitions of key terms, and practical wisdom to help caregivers navigate the day-to-day. Links to online resources, support groups, and associations are collected at the end of the book for further reference.

Pat and Ron Potter-Efron had been married for 54 years when Pat received the diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia in 2018. Most importantly, they searched for a way to continue to contribute meaningfully to society while living as complete and satisfying lives as possible. That is when they decided to write a journal of their experiences, but a journal different than any they had encountered as they reviewed the Lewy Body literature. Pat and Ron began to write a series of conversations. Ron would initiate a relevant topic (hallucinations; teamwork; mortality, etc.) and then Pat would add her comments. Fortunately, Pat has retained her ability to clearly describe her thoughts and feelings even as some of her abilities have diminished. Pat does not always agree with Ron's observations, of course. The perspectives of care receiver inevitably differ from those of care giver. When other couples in the Lewy Body dementia community discovered Ron and Pat's work they were eager to see it. To continue Pat and Ron's story visit their blog: https://www.lewybodydialogue.com/introduction-to-the-lewy-body-dialogue

Here you will find not only hundreds of workable ideas on how to maintain and improve the quality of life but also a vast resource of information on what to expect of this unusual disease as it takes its course.

Hallucinations and changes in visual perception i.e. how the brain sees the world, happen when the brain misunderstands the information it is receiving. This can be a common problem in Lewy body dementia which often affects the parts of the brain that help interpret what we see.

This guide is intended to help people with LBD, their families and carers and healthcare professionals to learn more about the disease and the impact it has. It explains what is known about the different types of LBD and how they
are diagnosed.It describes how to treat and manage this difficult disease, with practical advice both for people with LBD, their families and carers.

Dementia-related behaviors are common with all types of dementia but often start early with Lewy body dementia (LBD). Most experts recommend the use of non-drug options prior to resorting to behavior management drugs which, especially with LBD, can and often does cause other problems. Responsive dementia care is a method for doing this. It uses understanding of how the brain works coupled with empathy, acceptance and a wide variety of alternative therapies to avoid, decrease and/or defuse these difficult behaviors.

Ginnie Horst Burkholder shares from the heart about caring for a spouse who is slowly slipping away to Lewy body dementia (LBD). Burkholder's memoir reveals how she handles the constant challenges through humor, love, commitment, and faith. At the same time, she does not gloss over the loss, pain, and loneliness on this emotional roller coaster ride that invaded her marriage and family following her husband's diagnosis.

A woman recounts dementia's toll on her family and shares lessons she learned that can provide help and hope to caregivers tending to their own loved ones. Within Dancing with Lewy, readers meet Lee and Nancy. Lee was born into a large farming family just before the Great Depression. Nancy was determined to take the helm when Lee's mind began "dancing" with Lewy body dementia even though he resolved to remain independent while his mind slipped away. This memoir is written through Nancy's eyes while original poetry by Lee is woven throughout to provide readers a glimpse into his outlook to life.

Learn
- about common LBD symptoms
- how to get a good and complete diagnosis
- about commonly prescribed anti-psychotic medications that can have potentially harmful or even deadly side effects if given to a person suffering from LBD. Know which medications are safer alternatives
- how to adapt your caregiving skills to the needs of a person with LBD
- how to utilize visual and verbal cues to increase understanding and cooperation
- about hands-on skills for LBD