Read story D01: Tell them it's Lewy body dementia (image and text)
Tell them it's Lewy body dementia
A person with Lewy body dementia can also develop delirium. Tell staff about a sudden worsening from their usual pattern, including changes in attention, alertness or distress.
Some antipsychotic medicines can cause severe reactions in Lewy body dementia. Haloperidol must not be used in Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s disease. Make sure the diagnosis is known when medicines are reviewed. Staff should check causes of distress, offer reassurance and seek specialist advice when needed.
Story text
Panel 1. Clive has dementia with Lewy bodies. He is admitted after a fall.
Panel 2.
- Pauline: His thinking goes up and down anyway. But this is much worse.
- Nurse: Thank you. We'll check him for delirium.
Panel 3. That night he is frightened and restless.
- Clive: Who are those men by the window?
Panel 4.
- Doctor: Let’s check what is frightening him and review what is safe for him.
Panel 5.
- Pauline: He has Lewy body dementia. Some of those medicines can make him very ill.
Panel 6.
- Doctor: We’ll avoid unsafe medicines, use calm reassurance and review the causes.
Panel 7. Curtains closed, a soft lamp on, one calm voice, Pauline beside him. The team looks for the cause.
Panel 8. A chest infection is found and treated. Over several days the delirium eases.
Bottom band. Lewy body dementia? Tell staff. Some medicines used in delirium can be dangerous.