Wellbeing
SYMPTOMS
Focus on Lewy Body Dementia Each month through September, we are featuring facts about Alzheimer’s and Dementia. This month the focus is on Lewy body dementia. Most experts estimate that Lewy body dementia represents approximately 10 to 20% of all dementias. Abnormal protein structures called Lewy bodies, which are made up of alpha-synuclein, appear in the brain, causing cells to die. Many people with Parkinson’s disease eventually develop problems with thinking and reasoning, and many people with Lewy body dementia eventually experience movement symptoms, such as hunched posture, rigid muscles, a shuffling walk and trouble initiating movement.
Changes in thinking and reasoning Confusion and alertness that varies significantly from one time of day to another or from one day to the next Slowness, gait imbalance and other Parkinsonian movement features Well-formed visual hallucinations Delusions Trouble interpreting visual information Sleep disturbances Malfunctions of the “automatic” (autonomic) nervous system
Executive Director Bulletin I can’t believe a month has gone by already. It’s been simultaneously way too long and also way too short. I want to share with you some recent developments. First, we said goodbye to Kristin Walker, our Marketing Director, as she starts a new chapter of her life ‘retirement’. We wish Kristin the best! That being said, we have hired her replacement to start in late August! We have also welcomed our new Director of Dietary, Beverly Haines, and she has been hard at work cleaning, organizing, and getting the food program running smoothly. Also, by the time you’re reading this, we will have welcomed our nurse, Jennifer Harrington, as Peace of Mind Senior Living | w w w . c r o s s r o a d s a l c . o r g
our new Resident Services Director. We are so excited and grateful to have her on the team! Last, as some of you may have noticed, we have began working on our courtyards. So far all of the weeds and debris have been removed and we are working with a company to install handrails throughout the courtyard. It has truly been a wonderful month serving you and I’m grateful for those I have met and looking forward to meeting those I have not. I hope you have a blessed month.
Cory Strauch Executive Director
