In our support groups we often talk about home health aides, companions, etc. This kind of help is very important but often difficult to figure out. But at a recent caregivers’ support group another kind of help was discussed that is fairly easy to arrange and worth doing. It is not unusual to hear from […]

With the likelihood of heat waves on the rise, it is particularly important to be aware of the impact of extreme heat on people with Lewy body dementia (LBD). LBD on its own has a disruptive impact on the Autonomic Nervous system (the automatic part of our nervous system that regulates many of the body’s […]

Written by M of NY, a Caregiver to her Husband: Several years ago, my husband began, some evenings, yelling and laughing, punching the air, and flailing his arms and legs around in his sleep–even once throwing himself into a corner of the nightstand. Other times, he had minor muscle jerks in his hands and legs, […]

Written by M of NY, a Caregiver to her Husband: A topic I feel is very important is the loneliness of having a life veer off course from a newly diagnosed serious illness. You have already begun to notice things you don’t understand, and this can be confusing and unsettling. Knowing you are part of […]

In the previous blog about Hallucinations and Delusions, we addressed handling the more simple, non-frightening hallucinations and how to keep from escalating the situation. But what to do when the person with LBD is experiencing a hallucination that is extremely frightening and by its very nature, throws the situation into a delusion that must be […]

Being with a loved one who is experiencing hallucinations is a disconcerting experience and can actually feel very frightening. In this blog, we will address “simple” hallucinations. In part 2, we’ll talk about the more complex situation of delusions with or without hallucinations. Fear is often our first reaction when our loved one with LBD […]

Incontinence with Dignity by Marilyn Stevenson Almost everyone’s biggest fear is incontinence. Here is some helpful information, if and when incontinence may occur. At first, the over-the-counter pull-up type incontinence underwear may be fine for a while.  When these products stop doing the job, it’s time to move on to the medical supply products that […]

Being a caregiver for a loved one suffering from Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is a challenge. Caregivers expect a lot from themselves. (They often have no choice.) They are often hyper-focused on their loved one and are frequently tough on themselves. Perhaps one way to ease that self judgment is to realize that there is […]