Lewy body dementia is a disorder associated with the deposition of alpha-synuclein in Lewy bodies in the brain [1]. Lewy body dementia is the second most common progressive cognitive impairment disorder after Alzheimer's disease globally.
The incidence of Lewy body dementia increases with age and is up to 30% worldwide [2]. Recent research has indicated that Lewy body dementia is far more prevalent than previously thought. Lewy body dementia usually occurs sporadically in people with no known family history of the disease.
This module considers the incidence of Lewy body dementia and what the signs and symptoms are. It then discusses diagnosis and treatment. It turns to the important role nurses and nursing assistants have in caring for people with Lewy body dementia. It considers the nursing interventions that may be used to promote quality of life in those with Lewy body dementia.
This module is especially relevant for nurses and assistants in nursing working in the aged care setting, however, it is also useful for all those providing care to older people in any healthcare environment.
At the end of this module participants will be able to:
