Question on Alzheimer's, LBD, etc.

September 29, 2008

Hi, all. As I've written earlier, my mother was moved to the

advanced unit of her facility two weeks ago. Thankfully, that

transition has gone smoothly and Mom seems happy there.

While spending time with Mom daily, I've noticed several of the

other residents seem to display LBD tendencies. To the best of my

knowledge, my mother is the first person in the unit diagnosed with

LBD. At least, that's the impression I get from the staff...

My question...I was told one of those residents has had " a dementia "

for 15 years. I do see some LBD tendencies in her...periods where

her vision is impacted, fluctuating cognition and abilities, slight

slumping forward at times... Is it possible that a person could

have Alzheimer's for a number of years and later develop LBD? A 15-

year period seems like a long period of time even for Alzheimer's,

especially when you consider that she can feed herself at times and

often ask questions as well as respond to questions.

I've ordered the DVD from the LBDA and will give it to the facility

so they can see the symptoms first-hand. One of the care managers

did tell me today that she read through the articles I had left for

them. She remarked that she could see in my mother the symptoms

described in the articles. This is great because their

understanding can only make their job easier and Mom's life more

comfortable.

Thanks in advance for opinions offered.

Best wishes,

Lynn in Florida

September 29, 2008

Yes Lynn, people can get LBD as well as Alzheimers. Also, life expectancy for

PDD, when

Parkinsons symptoms present well ahead of LBD, is around 13-14 years from

diagnosis.

Jan's Jim is around the 15 year mark I believe, but not with the dementia. So

many

variables to consider.

I want to commend you on the very caring response you gave to Ron. It can't

help but be

of some comfort to him.

Gibsons BC

Mother died Aug. 12, 2006 at age 92 after a 13 year decline from PDD.

>

> Hi, all. As I've written earlier, my mother was moved to the

> advanced unit of her facility two weeks ago. Thankfully, that

> transition has gone smoothly and Mom seems happy there.

>

> While spending time with Mom daily, I've noticed several of the

> other residents seem to display LBD tendencies. To the best of my

> knowledge, my mother is the first person in the unit diagnosed with

> LBD. At least, that's the impression I get from the staff...

>

> My question...I was told one of those residents has had " a dementia "

> for 15 years. I do see some LBD tendencies in her...periods where

> her vision is impacted, fluctuating cognition and abilities, slight

> slumping forward at times... Is it possible that a person could

> have Alzheimer's for a number of years and later develop LBD? A 15-

> year period seems like a long period of time even for Alzheimer's,

> especially when you consider that she can feed herself at times and

> often ask questions as well as respond to questions.

>

> I've ordered the DVD from the LBDA and will give it to the facility

> so they can see the symptoms first-hand. One of the care managers

> did tell me today that she read through the articles I had left for

> them. She remarked that she could see in my mother the symptoms

> described in the articles. This is great because their

> understanding can only make their job easier and Mom's life more

> comfortable.

>

> Thanks in advance for opinions offered.

>

> Best wishes,

> Lynn in Florida

>

September 30, 2008

Lynn in Florida,

It has been so very usual for them to call all dementias' Alzheimers. It has

only been recently since the LBDA was formed and lots of info started to get

out.

Actually Courage started the whole letter writing campaign. She sent letters to

many many many MDs and related fields. It was her private campaign for a while.

Thousands of letters, wasn't it Courage?

At about the same time some caregivers from here formed the LBDA and got some

MDs and went to come conferences and started to talk about and educate other

MDs.

Six-eight years ago, you wouldn't have gotten this LBD diagnosis. Now if they

would just figure out how to treat it. LOL Some MDs are doing better.

Hugs,

Donna R

Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in

a nh.

She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine.