The American Society on Aging is hosting a webinar on Monday 11/21 at 11am CA time on "Understanding the Different Forms of Dementia." The speaker, Teepa Snow, gives incredible presentations on communicating with someone with dementia. I don't know if her vivacious personality will come across on the web, but I'd recommend this to anyone remotely interested in the topic of different forms of dementia. Lewy body dementia is specifically listed as of one of the forms of dementia to be addressed.

I've copied the webinar details below.

Robin




Understanding the Different Forms of Dementia
- Organized by American Society on Aging
- Sponsored by Senior Helpers and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Monday, November 21, 2011
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST

Over the past 10 years, significant progress has been made in differential diagnosis and tailoring treatments and interventions to each type of dementia. This web seminar will provide specific and distinguishing characteristics of some of the more common forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and fronto-temporal dementias. Part of the session also focuses on how care and expectations may need to be changed for each condition, as well as for those individuals with mixed picture dementia.

Presenter: Teepa Snow

Register here:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/490043742

Part Two of "Moving Forward with Alzheimer’s & Dementia," a three part series sponsored by Senior Helpers and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America


The presentation is viewable on the web. Once you register, you will be sent a link. At the time of the webinar, use that link -- which is unique to you -- to join the webinar.

You can get the audio by using your computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP) or by telephone. If you use your computer's speakers and microphone, GoToWebinar recommends you use a headset.

If you join via the phone, call:
Toll: +1 (805) 309-0022
Access Code: 658-310-449
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the Webinar online
Webinar ID: 490-043-742


System Requirements for PC-based attendees:
Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

System Requirements for Macintosh®-based attendees:
Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Though I think Teepa Snow is typically an incredible presenter, the one-hour webinar format didn't suit her. She raced through the material, and didn't cover many slides. I thought her discussion of Alzheimer's and mixed dementia were very good. For Lewy Body Dementia, I think she would've done better by looking at the diagnostic criteria. I thought she was very unclear on FTD (frontotemporal dementia). And I think she under-rates the challenge of diagnosing dementia.

She said two things about Lewy Body Dementia that were new to me:
* "This is not AD plus PD. "
* "About 50% of those with LBD can't get into REM sleep."

You can find an online recording of the 11/21 webinar here:
http://www.screencast.com/t/kwaagMKHNhy
Put your mouse over the "11-21-11" area. Click on the file folder that appears below the word "Understanding."

And, I've copied my notes from the short general section and the short LBD section of the webinar below.

Robin



Understanding the Different Forms of Dementia
Speaker - Teepa Snow, a dementia education specialist, her website is teepasnow.com
11/21/11 Webinar

Three sponsors = Alzheimer's Foundation of America (alzfdn.org), Senior Helpers (seniorhelpers.com), and American Society on Aging (asaging.org)


Dementia is caused by changes in the brain:
* Structural changes: permanent; cells are shrinking and dying
* Chemical changes: variable; cells are producing and sending less chemicals; people can "shine" when least expected ("chemical rush")

"Dementia" - umbrella term that covers 70-80 different disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease (50-60%), vascular dementias, Lewy body dementia, fronto-temporal lobe dementias, other dementias. The "other dementias" category includes genetic syndromes, drugs/toxin exposure, white matter diseases, and Parkinson's. Most of AD co-occurs with other dementias. These are terminal disorders. These are life-altering disorders.


LEWY BODY DEMENTIA

Important to know about. This is not AD plus PD. This is a different phenomenon.

Most mis-diagnosed and missed as a diagnosis.

Can be misidentified as PD. It does involve movement problems (especially frequent falls) early in the disease. Often falls are in bathrooms and bedrooms.

Can have visual hallucinations. Almost always involve animals, children, or people. Usually in the late afternoon and evening. Some people have insight into their hallucinations.

Can have fine motor problems -- hands and swallowing.

Don't often have rest tremor. The person is often awkward due to an intention tremor. (This is a distinguishing characteristic.)

Episodes of rigidity. The person might get stuck. They are NOT getting stuck on purpose!

Episodes of syncope.

Can have nightmares. Think dreams are real. Can have a dark edge of the dreams.

Can have insomnia. About 50% of those with LBD can't get into REM sleep.

Fixed delusional thinking.

Fluctuations in abilities.

Drug responses can be extreme and strange. This is probably the most important thing. Often, MDs, if they are thinking PD, will prescribe Sinemet. Sinemet can make the hallucinations worse. Often the drugs used to treat hallucinations are antipsychotics. 50% of those with LBD have a seriously strong reaction (extrapyramidal side effects) to antipsychotics. This is one of the reasons for a black-box warning on antipsychotics.

Often drugs used to treat agitation can make the problem worse.

Average: live 7-9 years with symptoms.

My husband has had almost every one of those symptoms. Interesting about the REM sleep. I always thought it odd [and improbable] that he never dreamed but with no REM sleep, maybe he doesn't! For many years pre-LBD he took Benadryl every night he help him sleep and it is known to inhibit REM sleep. One has to wonder if an anticholinergic drug like that taken over a long period might have helped create the problem.