Photo credit Matthias Zomer
Lewy Body Dementia is a complex disease that usually affects several different body systems. For this reason, treatment often involves the work of more than one physician or specialist, depending on how the disease presents itself. Occupational therapy and physical therapy are commonly used in conjunction with other treatments and have the potential to significantly improve a person with LBD’s quality of life.
Occupational therapy can help a person with LBD learn how to safely get through bathing, dressing, eating and other aspects of their daily routine. Treatment focuses on motor and cognitive skills and an occupational therapist will usually work with the person with LBD to learn how to communicate using simple words and commands. OT can also improve hand-eye coordination, cognitive functioning, visuospatial functioning and some symptoms that are present in Parkinson’s.
Here are some ways OT can help a person with LBD and their caregiver:
A person forgets how to use the restroom: Helps the caregiver and person select clothing that is easy to remove, labels drawers and parts of the restroom and develops a simple process for using it.
A person becomes emotional with their loved ones: Teaches caregivers and families loving, non-defensive techniques, and helps identify underlying causes that may have triggered the episode.
Physical therapy can help with some physical limitations that are commonly found in people with LBD, including shuffling gate, limited range of motion, Parkinsonian symptoms and poor balance. A physical therapist may try to address these issues and others through core and leg-strengthening exercises, balance exercises, fall prevention techniques and flexibility exercises, to name a few.
Like an occupational therapist, a physical therapist may help a person with LBD and their caregiver develop a common and simple language for exercises and physical activity. PT has also been proven to reduce the risk of depression and help people with LBD remain independent for as long as possible.
Some of the activities a physical therapist may suggest include:
Walking
Dancing
Housework
Aerobic exercise
Repetitive activities to improve visuospatial issues
Cycling
Swimming
Stretching to improve flexibility
Need help? Contact us today to learn more about OT and PT therapists in your area or for information on other treatment options.
Hi, my mom lives in mineola. Is there a place she can go that will take insurance?
Hello Carolyn. Please ask your mom’s doctor for an RX for Physical and Occupational Therapy
and the doctor may have a referral as well.
Here are two people to call in Nassau County:
Mike Marzano, Home Advantage Physical Therapy: Physical, Occupational, and
Speech therapy – L.I. and Tri-state area and Home Visits: 516-729- 4834 or 516
– www.homeadvantagerehab.com
Mike Zagare, Go Physical Therapy – Long Island: 516-214- 8307, http://www.goptw.com
LBD sounds like it can be really serious. My mom actually may be developing it because she’s losing control of some of her basic functions. Hiring an occupational therapist may be a good idea, if they can help her get through her daily routine.
Dear Ridley, thank you for your comment. If you think that your mother may be developing LBD,
please visit a neurologist for a confirmed diagnosis. We have a list of them here. If you tell me
where your mom is located, I’d be happy to suggest one. And, yes, an occupational therapist
can be very helpful. (https://lewybodyresourcecenter.org/resources-professionals/ny- doctors/)
You could also read more about Diagnosis of LBD here
(https://lewybodyresourcecenter.org/what-is- lbd/diagnosis).
We’re happy to help and also have a helpline: 516-218- 2026.
Wow, it’s interesting that physical therapy can help people with physical limitations like a shuffling gate and poor balance. I used to think physical therapy was only for people suffering from a sudden trauma, like a car accident. You did a great job of explaining how a physical therapist can address those other issues with balance exercises and fall prevention techniques. Great read!
Thank you for your kind words!
I have heard that physical therapy is good for your body but I did not know it can benefit your mind. If seniors are trying to work with reduced mobility from aging then they may have depression. Physical therapy could increase mobility and happiness, that is great.
Thank you for your comment. We are glad you find this article helpful.
I am a physical therapist assistant who has patients with LBD. Is there a specific exercise program that is geared toward the deficits of LBD or is general strengthening exercise beneficial?
Hi Terri,
Thank you for asking this question. We are glad to give the following suggestions for people with LBD. It’s helpful to focus on exercises that:
– cross the mid section
– strengthen the trunk/ core, and legs ( sitting on couch with pillow and practice standing and lifting pillow up ( 20 reps 2 times depending how m patient)
– help with balance,
– lifting the knees / marching
-doing two things at the same time – the upper body does something different than the lower : i.e., clapping and lifting knees up.
-Using music or something with a beat helps.
-Should be same set of songs and similar sequence of exercises each time as repetition as that is important for muscle memory. Using same word prompts is also helpful.
It’s also helpful if you can involve a caregiver or aide so they can repeat exercises with the patient on days when you are not with them.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Hello, you have a great finesse in writing the blogs. Keep on writing more on these lines. Enjoyed reading this, great insights. Thanks!
Thank you for your compliment and for writing. We will strive to post many more helpful blogs.
Keep up the great work! Thank you so much for sharing a great posts.
What physiotherapist can do with 83 year old woman with LBD ? She is very aggresive, she had surgery of her NOF and she don’t like being touched.
– i am student of physio
Magda, I’m sorry but I don’t know what NOF means. I would need to know more about her history and why she is aggressive at this point. Some medications from the surgery or currently may be adding to that. What city and state do you live in?
Thanks for pointing out that aerobic exercises can also be a good kind of physical therapy treatment. I have a friend who has been having some joint pains lately due to lack of exercise. Hopefully, he could find time to get some physical therapy on top of medications in order to relieve all that pain.