Assessment for Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

Have you or your loved one been struggling with signs of being unable to multitask or concentrate? Have you or your loved one recently shown a decline in memory functioning, decision making, or a lack of ability to derive information from reading? Have you and your loved one been screened for memory or cognitive impairment?

After the age of 65 years old, yearly screenings for memory problems, dementia, and neurocognitive disorders are recommended.

At Thoughtwise in Tallahassee Florida, we readily offer quick screenings for high risk of dementia and neurocognitive disorders, and we readily conduct further testing when needed.

What is neurocognitive disorder or dementia with Lewy Bodies  (DLB)?

Lewy bodies dementia is the second most commonly diagnosed dementia (next to Alzheimer’s disease). DLB is also known as a neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies. This type of dementia is often found to have mild or severe impacts on a person’s life.

DLB is a type of dementia, where dementia is defined as a neurodegenerative disease, DLB is often said to be related or understood similar to Parkinson’s disease.

The major onsets or symptoms of DLB are:

• Difficulties with sleep.
• Vivid hallucinations.
• Cognitive abilities fading or fluctuating.
• A decline in attention or cognition.
• Behavioral disturbances.
• Confusion.
• Depression.
• Lack of sensory ability.
• A decline in executive functioning/ inability to retain memory or information.

How do I need to be tested?

If you have not been tested for a neurocognitive or neurodegenerative disorder or dementia, and you are over 60 years of age, it is important that you are screened.

Early interventions and ongoing interventions are important for the best outcome. With ongoing treatment or intervention after a diagnosis, many cognitive-behavioral abilities can be maintained. In the treatment and health of a person with any type of dementia, cognitive reserve is often referred to as a means of intervention.

Cognitive reserve is a type of ongoing cognitive fitness that a person can exercise throughout their life. Cognitive reserve helps build resilience or additional health against the effects of dementia or other neuropsychological issues.

Mental health-based therapeutic services can also act to establish types of resilience and health measures that can help you maintain health after a diagnosis of dementia or DLB.

At Thoughtwise, we can offer you types of interventions that can help you maintain or improve your cognitive-behavioral functioning, mental health, and well-being throughout your life by:

• Proper screening and ongoing expert administered evaluations.
• 1:1 talk therapy.
• Group-based interventions.
• Support groups.
• Cognitive-behavioral training/neurofeedback.
• Executive functioning exercises.
• Mental health and quality of life focused treatments.

These types of interventions help you gain hope, the therapeutic environment, and therapeutic treatments that you need after a diagnosis of DLB or neuropsychological difficulties.

If you need your yearly screening for neurocognitive or memory impairment, or if you are interested in being assessed or seeking services related to Lewy bodies dementia, please contact us at Thoughtwise.