Unit 6 Dementia Conditions Lewy Body Dementia

Question 1

What is the cause and risk factors of Lewy body disease?

Answer 1

• idiopathic
• between the ages of 50 and 85
• slightly more men than women
• genetic

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of Lewy body disease?

Answer 2

• abnormal deposits of a specific protein inside the brain’s nerve cells called Lewy body
• causes decrease in neurotransmitter acetylcholine

Question 3

What are the clinical presentations of Lewy body disease?

Answer 3

• visual hallucinations
• poor performance on visual spatial or constructional tasks
• flunctuating attention
• parkinsonism signs
• usually progresses quickly
• need autopsy to confirm

Question 4

True or false. Lewy body disease usually progresses slowly.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

What are the impairments of Lewy body disease?

Answer 5

• motor: similar to parkinson’s disease
• rigidity, tremors, stooped posture, and slow shuffling movements
• cognitive
• visual hallicinations, attention and alertness, judgement, language, and memory loss
• behavioural
• sleep pattern changes, apathy

Question 6

What are 5 right approaches when working with person with dementia?

Answer 6

• give structured tasks
• use concrete commands
• approach from the front
• use 1 or maybe 2 step commands
• use clear, slow and simple verbal communication