Dancing with Lewy: A Father-Daughter Dance, Before and After Lewy Body Dementia Came to Live With Us

Dancing with Lewy is a memoir by Nancy R. Poland about her family's experience with Lewy body dementia. The book centers on Lee, Nancy's father, a World War II veteran, self-made businessman, artist, and poet from a farming family. Nancy, a writer and organizer, became his primary caregiver as his condition progressed. The narrative is told through Nancy's perspective, with original poetry by Lee interspersed throughout. Part I traces Lee's early life, Nancy's childhood with her father, and dementia's impact on the family, including the additional grief when Nancy's mother died of cancer. Part II focuses on lessons Nancy learned and offers practical guidance for caregivers, including advice on organizing legal documents, locating community resources, selecting nursing homes, and maintaining dignity and respect for loved ones with debilitating illness. The memoir also explores the family's faith and how they found grace and support through their experience.