Lewy Body Dementia... Although Alzheimer's disease is most often associated with memory loss, there are several different, complex forms of dementia that cause memory loss and other symptoms similar to Alzheimer's. Lewy body dementia, also called dementia with Lewy bodies, is one such disease. Lewy body dementia is progressive in nature, meaning that symptoms get worse over time. Research suggests that Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer's disease. "What separates Lewy body dementia from Alzheimer's is mainly its cause and a more specified set of symptoms," says Joanne Rodda-Hubbard, Director of Memory Care at The Kensington in White Plains, NY. "But most types of dementia cause memory loss and trouble with cognitive functioning, thinking and reasoning. Many family caregivers experience similar needs in their loved ones with any form of dementia. Still, it's important for any family member to understand the specifics of their loved one's disease so they can provide the proper care and support." What Causes Lewy Body Dementia?Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal buildups of protein deposits inside nerve cells in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, were first discovered by Frederich H. Lewy, M.D. while he was working with Dr. Alois Alzheimer in the early twentieth century. Lewy bodies are made up of a protein that exists throughout the brain. We have yet to understand what the protein does or why it creates abnormal deposits that lead to dementia. Lewy body dementia is more common in adults over the age of sixty. It is also more common in males than females. Similar to Alzheimer's disease, seniors are at a higher risk of developing Lewy body dementia if they have a relative who also had Lewy body dementia or Parkinson's disease. What Are the Symptoms?Although most forms of dementia have similar symptoms, they can manifest in different levels of severity among the different forms. For example, while most dementia patients experience some level of difficulty moving in the later stages of the disease, a person with Alzheimer's may have trouble swallowing or using a knife and fork while someone with Lewy body dementia may experience Parkinson's-like tremors. The Mayo Clinic lists several of the symptoms most commonly seen in those with Lewy body dementia, including:Visual Hallucinations - One of the first symptoms to appear with Lewy body dementia are hallucinations. The person may see shapes, objects or people that aren't there. Hallucinations will likely occur throughout their disease and can be disturbing for the person experiencing them.Movement Difficulties - The person may experience trouble with motor function often seen in Parkinson's patients. These disorders can include slowed movement, rigid muscles, tremors or shuffled walking.Poor Autonomic Nervous System Regulation - Lewy body dementia often affects the part of the brain responsible for our autonomic nervous system, which regulates body functions such as blood pressure, pulse, sweating and digestive processes. As the automatic nervous system fails to regulate these functions, the person may experience dizziness, falls and bowel issues.Cognitive Issues - Confusion, attention problems, visual-spatial issues and memory loss can also occur for people with Lewy body dementia. They may experience cognitive decline similar to that of Alzheimer's disease.Trouble Sleeping - Some people with Lewy body dementia develop rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which causes them to act out their dreams while they are asleep.Poor Attention - Some people may experience a serious decline in their ability to pay attention, resulting in long periods of drowsiness, staring into space or daytime napping. They may also experience disorganized speech.Depression and Apathy - Many dementia patients are at risk of developing depression at some point during their disease. This is often due to the extreme changes occurring within the brain. Depression can be accompanied by apathy, the loss of motivation or lack of emotional feeling. How to Care for Lewy Body DementiaIf any of these symptoms appear, a doctor will usually diagnose Lewy body dementia through nuclear imaging tests, sleep studies, neurological and physical examinations, blood tests and brain scans. Unfortunately, there is no current cure for Lewy body dementia. Doctors and family caregivers can do their best to treat a person's symptoms. Despite the presence of visual hallucinations, doctors do not recommend antipsychotic drugs. These types of medications can often make Lewy body dementia symptoms much worse. Instead, doctors may prescribe Alzheimer's medications, Parkinson's medications, or drug therapies to alleviate other symptoms. As with all forms of dementia, caregivers can help increase their loved one's quality of life with considerate nondrug approaches to care. Sometimes, the side effects of medication may be worse than the symptom itself. If a loved one is able to tolerate a certain behavior, such as hallucinations, it may be better than seeking treatment. Other best practices in dementia care should be utilized, such as creating a routine, clearing the environment of clutter or distressing lights or sounds, compassionate communication techniques and holistic therapies, such as music or pet therapy. We're Here for YouIf you would like to learn more about Lewy body dementia or other forms of memory loss, contact the team at The Kensington. "We're always glad to help seniors and their families in any way we can," shares Susie Sarkisian, Director of Family Services. "Whether you'd like to better understand the symptoms to look for in a loved one, or need advice on providing care for complex conditions, our caregivers can help connect you to the information and resources you need." We Promise to Love and Care for Your Family as We Do Our OwnJoanne Rodda-Hubbard and Susie Sarkisian are just two of the many special people within The Kensington family - people who make life at The Kensington an enriching, fulfilling and enjoyable experience for all residents. The Kensington is an enhanced Assisted Living and Memory Care residence located in the heart of White Plains, NY. Here, residents are regarded as members of our own family, so hugs, laughs, companionship and patient support are routine parts of every day. We help our residents feel loved and secure by delivering heartfelt excellence in Assisted Living and Memory Care services in a warm, beautiful environment that offers comfortable elegance and is staffed by loving professionals. We believe the comfort of familiarity is precious, so our enhanced program enables us to offer care beyond what the traditional assisted living community can deliver. We offer a full spectrum of clinical support, rehabilitation, wellness and social engagement activities as well as end-of-life care. No resident needs to move out if their healthcare needs ever change. For those with memory loss, The Kensington offers levels of care in specially designed neighborhoods. Connections is for early-to-mid-stage Alzheimer's and dementia care. Haven is for mid-to late-stage Alzheimer's and dementia care. We understand that memory loss is a family affair, so our multifaceted program is geared to support not only our residents but also those who love them. Click to contact us for further information or call us directly at 914-390-0080.
