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As most of you know, my stepdad, Tom, has Lewy Body Dementia. He lives in the Memory Support area of Presbyterian Manor and is declining each day. He is 62 years old and this has been going on for years. The last time we saw him, he knew who we were and we hope that continues for a long time, but we just don't know. When talking to him, sometimes he makes sense, sometimes he doesn't. He sleeps a lot, stares in to space, has bad days, has better days. He is definitely no longer himself. Not the funny (although he does still say a lot of funny things without meaning to), outgoing, active Tom he used to be.
Lewy Body Dementia is not a rare disease, but many doctors are still not familiar with it. It affects an estimated 1.3 million individuals and their families in the United States. LBD symptoms often resemble more commonly known diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's so it is very underdiagnosed. It took quite some time for a doctor to finally diagnose Tom with LBD. He went through many tests and lots of frustration.
There are many symptoms for LBD...but here are a few:
* confusion (memory problems, forgetting words, problem solving, etc.)
* hallucinations
* shuffling or walking stiffly
* blank stare
September 14 is the Walk to End Alzheimer's in Wichita. Please consider joining our team and donating to this wonderful cause. Let's raise awareness for Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia! Our memories are important.
You can join our team and donate here. Thank you so much and feel free to pass this info along to others!
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| After the Walk to End Alzheimer's 2012 |
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| Mom and Tom...not sure what year |
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| Tom all dressed up for Halloween...a LONG time ago. :) |
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| Mom and Tom on their honeymoon in Crested Butte...1984 |
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