Education kit for Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia

Parkinson’s Australia and Alzheimer’s Australia have developed a unique educational kit which addresses the issue of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

The DVD and booklet will be launched this week as part of National Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2-8 September. The theme for the launch is Speak Up, Speak Out.

Up to 30% of people with dementia may have Lewy Body Dementia.

Currently there are more than 54,700 people living with Parkinson’s. Up to 40% of these people may develop Lewy Body Dementia, which is a specific condition that combines Parkinsonisms – physical symptoms such as slow movements, stiffness of limbs and difficulty walking, with dementia-type symptoms, specifically visual hallucinations, fluctuating confusions and agitation, as well as memory and thinking difficulties.

Misdiagnosis and the lack of professional and sensitive information and education about the condition typically result in poor symptom management and enhance the fear and confusion of those diagnosed, which significantly impacts on quality of life.

The specific nature of the condition requires a similarly specific and holistic approach to symptom management.

The education kit is the ideal introduction to the condition for those recently diagnosed and their family and/or carer. It aims to specifically address the current lack of information, while providing details about available and relevant support services.