Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Lewy body dementia refers to two related diagnoses. It is an umbrella term that is used for both Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. In early stages, symptoms of these two diseases differ. However, both conditions cause the same underlying biological changes in the brain and those will cause similar behavioral, cognitive, physical, and sleep symptoms.

What is a Lewy body?

Scientist Friederich H. Lewy discovered abnormal protein deposits in the brain while studying Parkinson’s disease in the early 1900s. They disrupt the brain’s normal functioning and deplete certain vital brain chemicals. The protein deposits can affect perception, thinking and behavior. Lewy body dementia can exist on its own or with other brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

How can dementia with Lewy bodies be treated?

It can take a year or two for Lewy body dementia to be diagnosed because symptoms may develop slowly. However, a doctor’s diagnosis is important because it opens the door to proper treatment. Early treatment can extend the quality of life and even independence for people with Lewy body dementia.

A medical team can develop a comprehensive treatment approach to Lewy body dementia. It will likely include medications, but they must be monitored closely because people with Lewy body dementia may be highly sensitive to side effects. It can take multiple trials to find the drug or combination that works for each individual.

In addition to medications, there are a number of other treatment options that have proven to be effective for dementia with Lewy bodies. They include the following:

• Psychotherapy – Both the individual and his or her family members can benefit from psychotherapy to manage emotional and behavioral symptoms. It can also be useful as people accept the reality of living with a cognitive disorder and develop plans for the future with a brain disease.
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapies – All of these therapies help maintain function and independence. They can also reduce anxiety, improve mood, and help with overall wellbeing.
• Supportive care – Care that is designed to provide emotional support while providing engaging, stimulating memory care is ideal for people who have been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies.

Get Quality Care and the Best Memory Care Services at Parc Provence

Quality care in our residential setting at Parc Provence provides activities tailored to the needs of people who have memory disorders. Enjoy peace of mind while your loved one receives the highest quality treatment and chooses from among over 80 daily activities designed to engage and delight our residents. We are here to support both memory care residents and their families every step of the way, so contact us today for more information. We’d love to schedule your tour of Parc Provence.