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Dear Alzheimer's Texas Supporters,
As the year comes to a close, we are filled with gratitude for the caregiving community, support groups, and volunteers who have come together to advance our mission of enhancing care and support for individuals, their families, and caregivers. As we celebrate the holiday season, we wish you and your loved ones peace, joy, and hope for the year ahead. Thank you for partnering with us to create a brighter future for all those impacted by Alzheimer's disease.
Stay tuned for our programming in the New Year!
- Alzheimer's Texas Team
Donate today to sponsor our 24/7 live answered Help Line!
Uncovering Lewy Body Dementia: From Diagnosis to Management
By Austin McKee, MSSW, Helpline Specialist and Content Creator at Alzheimer’s Texas, with extensive expertise in geriatric care, caregiver support, and end-of-life care.
In our November newsletter, we delved deeper into the Vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia. If you'd like a refresher, you can access that article here: Vascular Dementia: Impact of Blood Flow to the Brain. This month, we take a closer look Lewy Body Dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is a complex and progressive brain disorder caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies. LBD is one of the most common forms of dementia, affecting roughly 1.4 million people in the United States, leaving a profound impact on both patients and their families.
Unique Features of LBD
What typically distinguishes LBD from Parkinson’s disease and other dementias is the early onset of visual hallucinations and REM sleep behavior disorder. Visual hallucinations affect approximately 50–80% of individuals with LBD, and while hallucinations can occur in other dementias, their early presence is a key feature of LBD.
As we look back on 2024, we’re proud of the strides we’ve made in supporting individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This year, we hosted 17 Caregiver Conversations, facilitated by clinical social worker Joan Asseff, LCSW-S. These virtual meetings provided caregivers with a supportive space to share experiences, discuss barriers, exchange strategies, and find solutions to the challenges of caring for loved ones with dementia.
We’re also thrilled to celebrate the success of the Westminster Celebrates Alzheimer's Texas campaign, which raised an incredible $169,239.42! This achievement would not have been possible without the generosity and dedication of Westminster residents, staff, and volunteers—thank you for making a lasting impact!
Additionally, we expanded access to education and resources through our online library, featuring the All About ALZ series led by Joan Asseff, LCSW-S. This platform has become an essential tool for empowering caregivers and loved ones with knowledge and support.
We’re deeply grateful for everyone who has contributed to our mission this year. Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia, and we look forward to seeing you in 2025!
Central Texas Support and Respite Groups
Support Groups Caregiver support groups provide a vital lifeline for those caring for individuals with dementia. They offer a space to share experiences, gain understanding, and learn from others. Volunteer-run groups meet at various times and locations.
Respite Care Community-based respite groups are volunteer-run programs that offer 3–4 hours of free weekly care for individuals in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s or related conditions, allowing caregivers time to focus on their well-being.
Please see below for our updated support and respite group lists.
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