Seeing the Way: Enhancing Life with Lewy Body Dementia through Visual Strategies

Lewy body dementia (LBD) can affect the brain’s ability to process visual information correctly, leading to difficulties with depth perception and spatial awareness. This can increase the risk of falls and make navigation around the home or in unfamiliar environments more difficult. Visual impairments associated with LBD can also affect the ability to perform daily activities, such as dressing, cooking, and driving. This can lead to a loss of independence and increased reliance on caregivers.  

Addressing these visual challenges involves a combination of environmental modifications, use of visual aids, and supportive strategies to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Julia Wood, occupational therapist and LBDA’s Director of Professional and Community Education will explore practical visual strategies to enhance your daily living and improve your overall quality of life. In this webinar, you will learn how to create a supportive environment that addresses the unique visual challenges associated with LBD, combined with practical strategies to help navigate changes to your vision and visual perception.  

Whether you are a care partner or someone living with LBD, this webinar offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to help you navigate the visual challenges of LBD with confidence and clarity. 

Key Takeaways:   

1. Optimize Your Environment: Discover how to use lighting, color contrasts, and simplified spaces to reduce visual confusion and enhance safety at home. 
2. Effective Visual Aids: Learn about various tools and techniques, such as magnifying glasses and clear signage, that can help manage visual impairments and support daily activities. 
3. Managing Visual Hallucinations: Gain practical tips for addressing and mitigating visual hallucinations, including reassurance techniques and environmental adjustments. 

About Julia Wood, MOT, OTR/L 

Julia Wood, MOT, OTR/L graduated with her master’s degree in occupational therapy (OT) from the University of Minnesota after completion of her clinical fieldwork in neurological rehabilitation from the Mayo Clinic, St. Mary’s Hospital campus in Rochester, Minnesota. Julia has an extensive clinical background in interprofessional care in Parkinson’s disease and related dementias as part of the comprehensive care team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center of Excellence for many years.  

Julia is the Director of Professional and Community Education for the Lewy Body Dementia Association and serves as certification and training faculty for the LSVT BIG® program.  Julia serves as faculty for the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Team Training for Parkinson program served on the Parkinson’s Foundation Rehabilitation Task Force in 2021. She co-authored the first Practice Guideline for Adults with Parkinson’s Disease for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Julia served on the steering committee for the 2022 International Lewy Body Dementia Conference and serves on the Comprehensive Care Subcommittee for the World Parkinson’s Congress (WPC). She is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Neuropalliative Care Society.  

Registration: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Aot0plyvJUeG_iC_Rhd8WaqpvIuu-pBvJQ8ZMo4c6HolkmvndaZn~Ainl89i6gnhnLxHKEA_UplL05JTvE6zacF_Bur94R-rHxZdUTp-JN1QtFQ

For questions or more information, please contact Rose Heithoff, Education Coordinator, at rheithoff@lbda.org.