Before Robert Doheny lost his mother Patricia to Lewy body dementia, he made her a promise.
"I told her that I will do everything I can to help other people, because we didn't have it," said Doheny.
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The result of that promise is the Metro Detroit Lewy Body Dementia Support Group. They meet each month at Troy Beaumont, giving each other a sounding board and a sympathetic ear.
Lewy body dementia is not rare. It affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans, making it the second most common type of progressive dementia, second only to Alzheimer's disease.
It's not clear what triggers it, but the disease causes protein deposits called Lewy bodies to develop in nerve cells in the brain. The resulting symptoms can include problems with memory and thinking, confusion, sleep difficulties, and depression. Patients may also suffer hallucinations, movement problems similar to those of Parkinson's disease, and falls.
Because the symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions, Lewy body dementia is initially diagnosed as something else nearly 80 percent of the time.
Doheny is holding a fundraiser for the Lewy Body Dementia Association on August 1st at Hamlin Pub in Shelby Township. The address is 55076 Van Dyke Ave.
The event will feature guest speakers, strolling hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, artwork and photographs for silent auction, gift baskets and raffles. To purchase tickets, contact Robert Doheny at 586-703-5221.
To learn more about the Metro Detroit Lewy Body Dementia Support Group, click here.
For the Ann Arbor Area Lewy Body Dementia Support Group, click here.
For more information on Lewy body dementia, click here.