Approximately 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year. This degenerative movement disorder causes muscle rigidity and gait changes, often along with speech, mood, and sleep disorders. Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Parkinson’s disease share a host of similarities, and those with LBD are often mistakenly diagnosed with Parkinson’s before arriving at the correct […]
The Power of Sensory Stimulation for Those with Dementia
Many individuals living with dementia, including Lewy Body disease, can benefit from sensory stimulation. Sensory stimulation is an important therapy, as it’s highly effective at helping people of all ages reach a calm, happy state of being. Sensory stimulation involves activating one or more of the senses, including taste, smell, sight, hearing, and touch. Here, […]
The Importance of Self-Care For Dementia Care Partners
If you’re a care partner to one of the approximately 50 million people living with dementia, it’s crucial to practice self-care to avoid physical and emotional burnout. Most care partners are highly empathetic and selfless individuals, which is important when caring for someone with dementia. However, these altruistic traits also make it more likely for […]
The Early Warning Signs of Dementia
Dementia affects millions of individuals worldwide, with approximately 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Although there are many types of dementia, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is one of the most difficult to diagnose. Its early warning signs are often subtle or similar to symptoms of other conditions. Receiving treatment in a timely manner is […]
Communication Strategies For Dementia Care Partners
Many of the 50 million people living with dementia currently experience or will eventually develop difficulty communicating thoughts and emotions. Those with progressive dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Lewy Body Dementia, may show signs of decreased ability to communicate once they enter the mid-to-late stages of the disease. A breakdown in communication can be […]
What You Need to Know About the Geriatric Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Hospital
At least 1.4 million Americans are living with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a progressive disease that primarily affects individuals over the age of 50. LBD is notoriously difficult to diagnose, as its symptoms are similar to other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease. Whether your loved one is showing early signs of dementia or has already […]
Why Support Groups For Dementia Care Partners
Are So Important
If your loved one is living with dementia of any kind, you may be under significant stress yourself as you navigate the new and evolving challenges that come with being a care partner. Although there are many types of dementia, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) affects approximately 1.4 million Americans. This progressive disease may manifest subtly […]
The Impact of COVID-19 on Dementia Patients
and Their Care Partners
There’s no question that the novel coronavirus pandemic has had a formidable impact across the globe. We’re all struggling with the implications of this highly contagious virus and what it means for our way of life. For the approximately 50 million people living with dementia, the effects of COVID-19 are likely to be even more […]
How Speech Therapists Can Help Individuals With Dementia
Dementia affects numerous aspects of an individual’s life, and later stages of the progressive disease may impact speech. Difficulty processing language is a common symptom of many types of dementia, including Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). As your loved one progresses through the stages of dementia, you may notice signs such as struggling to recall words, […]
Signs That It’s Time for an Older Person to Stop Driving
(and How to Talk About It)
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) affects approximately 1.4 million Americans over the age of 60. This disease causes progressive cognitive decline that can manifest in all aspects of life. While you may not recognize the earliest Lewy Body Dementia stages, mid-to-late stage LBD symptoms will make themselves known. This type of dementia often affects memory and […]