Imagine an illness that causes your loved one to lose control of their movements and balance, devastates their cognitive functions, and eventually, causes them to vividly hallucinate. Their memory becomes foggy, and everyday activities, such as eating, dressing, and even using the toilet, become an hourly challenge. Nighttime brings no relief, as your mother, father, or spouse cries out and gestures wildly in their sleep in the wee hours of the morning.

These are the hallmarks of a disease known as Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). According to a recently published article on Lewy Body Dementia, this disease affects “somewhere around 1.3 million Americans” and is “the second most common form of dementia (after Alzheimer’s disease).”

What to Know About Lewy Body Dementia

The article lists facts about this serious, but often overlooked, disease that affects millions. Here’s what you need to know:

Lewy Body Dementia is:

• Difficult to diagnose. A true diagnosis can only be made post-mortem, through a brain biopsy.

• A form of dementia, LBD is related to Parkinson’s Disease Dementia and Alzheimer’s Dementia. Symptoms include: memory and cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, balance and gait changes, tremors, confusion and physical symptoms, such as blood pressure fluctuations, constipation and fainting spells.

• Highly unpredictable. Symptoms affect every person differently and don’t follow stages or patterns in their progression, as some other dementias do.

• Has no known cure. Though some medications can help manage certain symptoms, there are no medications shown to halt or stop the progression of LBD. Certain medications can even cause adverse reactions in people with LBD, so timely diagnosis and skilled medication administration are very important in the management of this disease.

Lewy Body Dementia is not:

• It is not a normal part of the aging process.

• Though it is often difficult to differentiate a diagnosis, it is not the same as Parkinson’s disease. If a person develops dementia within a year of their Parkinson’s diagnosis, they are generally thought to have LBD. Symptoms LBD shares with Parkinson’s include: shuffling gait, balance issues, and tremors.

• It is not the same as Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD). Those with AD usually experience a worsening of cognitive and behavioral symptoms in the evenings, known as “sundowning.” LBD is much less predictable; dementia symptoms may worsen or lessen at any time, for any reason.

Lewy Body Dementia and Home Care

Lewy Body Dementia is a unique illness with unique challenges. It is a round-the-clock illness that puts serious strain on caregivers, especially as the disease progresses. It presents several challenges related to its variety of symptoms. Astute caregivers can help ease the situation for both the patient and family.  

• High Fall Risks: As with other dementias, people with LBD have a high risk for falls, due to altered gait and balance, poor memory, and musculoskeletal decline. Home health aides can assist with activities, such as bathing, dressing, and other tasks around the home. A nurse or a social worker can perform an environmental assessment of your home to help reduce the risk of falls.

• Medication Complications: A nurse can assist with medication management and administration, including monitoring medications that could potentially be dangerous for the LBD patient.

• Caregiver Support: As LBD progresses, your loved one will likely suffer from delusions, hallucinations, memory problems, cognitive impairments and sleep issues. An extra set of hands during the day and an extra set of eyes at night can provide much-needed rest and peace of mind to a devoted and weary caregiver.

At the David York Agency, we understand how difficult and life-changing an LBD diagnosis can be. You do not have to be alone in your efforts to give your loved one the best care possible. Our experienced healthcare professionals are highly-trained and capable of providing the extra support and attention that a Lewy Body Dementia patient requires.

For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at 718.376.7755. A free consultation can help you decide what services might be best to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Google+ or LinkedIn.