About the Course

Developed in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, Living Well with Lewy identifies challenges and solutions when looking for resources and support as well as ways to advocate for what you need to live well with this complex diagnosis.

Each lesson features the voices, stories and lived experiences of those living with LBD and their care partners.

Course curriculum

    1. Course Description

    1. About the Presenter: Angela Lunde

    2. Episode 1: Let's Get Real

    3. Survey for Lesson 1: Let's Get Real

    1. About the Presenters: Brandi Hackett, Jodi Melius & Kandise Chrestensen

    2. Episode 2: Expanding Your Circle of Support

    3. Survey for Lesson 2: Expanding Your Circle of Support

    1. About the Presenter: Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP

    2. Episode 3: Socialization & Living Well with Lewy

    3. Survey for Lesson 3: Socialization & Living Well with Lewy

    1. About the Presenter: Julia Wood

    2. Episode 4: It Takes a Village: The Role of the Rehab Team in Multidisciplinary Care

    3. Survey for Lesson 4: The Role of the Rehab Team in Multidisciplinary Care

About this course

  • 3 hours of video content

Meet Your Instructors

Angela Lunde, MA

Angela Lunde is an Associate in Neurology at Mayo Clinic whose work focuses on the emotional well-being and quality of life of people living with dementia and their care partners. She co-created HABIT – Healthy Actions to Benefit Independence and Thinking® and is the author of Day to Day Living with Dementia (Mayo Clinic Press, 2022). Angela leads programs that promote inclusion, reduce stigma, and support meaningful living for individuals affected by dementia.

Brandi Hackett, LMSW, C-ASWCM

Brandi Hackett is the Manager of Support Services at the Lewy Body Dementia Association, where she supports individuals, care partners, and volunteers. With over 20 years of experience working with older adults, she is a licensed social worker and certified care manager. Brandi has published and presented widely on caregiver wellness and compassion fatigue and is committed to empowering families affected by Lewy body dementia through education and advocacy.

Jodi Melius, RN, BS

Jodi Melius is a Nurse Study Coordinator at the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Rochester, Minnesota. She facilitates caregiver support groups and develops dementia education for professionals, families, and community organizations. Jodi’s work centers on reducing stigma and promoting well-being for those living with dementia. Her advocacy is inspired by her father’s journey with Lewy body dementia, which continues to guide her commitment to compassionate care and education.

Kandise Chrestensen

Kandise Chrestensen is a Clinical Research Coordinator with the Mayo Clinic Memory Disorder Clinic and Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Jacksonville, Florida. She began her career working in memory care and caregiver education before transitioning to research. Kandise’s work focuses on supporting individuals living with dementia and their families through clinical studies, advocacy, and caregiver outreach, combining her early hands-on experience with a passion for advancing dementia care.

Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP

Rachel Wiley is an occupational therapist and founder of Dementia Consulting and the Dementia Collaborative LLC. With over 17 years of experience, she is a certified Skills2Care® Master Trainer through Jefferson Elder Care and specializes in supporting individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Rachel has also served as adjunct faculty at Thomas Jefferson and Temple Universities and is passionate about person-centered dementia care.

Julia Wood, MOT, OTR/L

Julia Wood is an occupational therapist and educator specializing in Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. She currently serves as Director of Professional and Community Education for the Lewy Body Dementia Association and as faculty for the LSVT BIG® program. Julia co-authored the American Occupational Therapy Association’s first Practice Guideline for Adults with Parkinson’s Disease and plays an active role in international education and advocacy. Her career is dedicated to empowering individuals and care partners through evidence-based rehabilitation and community engagement.