Lewy body dementia is a common cause of dementia. Like other dementias, it is a progressive brain disease that worsens over time. During the course of the illness, seniors with Lewy body dementia will require patience and understanding. Caregivers can skillfully care for elderly adults with this condition.

What is Lewy body dementia?

Abnormal deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein in the brain are associated with Lewy body dementia. These deposits are called Lewy bodies, and they affect chemicals in the brain, leading to changes in thinking, behavior, mood, and movement. Over one million people suffer from Lewy body dementia.

As a progressive brain disease, Lewy body dementia causes a gradual decline in thinking and movement abilities. The rapidity at which symptoms develop and change varies from person to person, depending on the severity of the condition, overall health, and the senior’s age.

During the early stages of Lewy body dementia, symptoms are fairly mild; the senior can perform most daily functions normally. However, affected seniors require help as the disease advances. In the later stages of the disease, individuals depend almost entirely on others for care.

What are symptoms of Lewy body dementia?

Thinking abilities undergo changes in seniors with Lewy body dementia. Visual hallucinations occur in about 80 percent of seniors diagnosed with the condition. Changes in concentration, attention, and alertness also occur, and ideas may become disorganized, unclear, or even illogical.

The loss of thinking abilities in diagnosed seniors can interfere with daily functioning. Memory problems become more evident as the disease progresses. Changes to thinking also include poor judgment, confusion about time and place, and difficulty with numbers and language.

Symptoms also include physical ones, such as muscle stiffness, a shuffling walk, tremors, balance problems, stooped posture, and loss of coordination. The senior may sleep excessively during the day or experience insomnia. The nervous system is affected, leading to incontinence, dizziness, and fainting.

Mood and behavior also change in seniors with Lewy body dementia, as thinking abilities decline. The elderly individual may suffer from depression, anxiety (being fearful when a caregiver is not present), agitation and restlessness (pacing), delusions, and paranoia (suspecting loved ones are stealing).

How do caregivers care for seniors with Lewy body dementia?

The abovementioned changes in a senior suffering from Lewy body dementia require compassionate and knowledgeable care. Symptoms of the disease are rarely a reflection of the aging adult’s character or natural disposition, but rather a manifestation of the condition itself.

Manage communications

When communicating with a senior living with Lewy body dementia, speak slowly. Allow pauses to give the senior a chance to process the statement or question. Introduce one idea or topic at a time. Speak using simple language, avoiding the usage of jargon or slang.

Limit background noises from the television or radio when attempting to converse with the senior. The sounds of people talking or traffic blaring can make it extremely difficult for a person with Lewy body dementia to focus on the conversation and understand what is being discussed.

If the senior asks to repeat what was just spoken, repeat it. Try not to ask, “Don’t you remember?” Once the senior starts speaking, allow her to finish the thought without interruption. Smile and be patient, as the senior has a genuine desire to be part of the conversation.

Manage prescription drugs

The senior diagnosed with Lewy body dementia may be prescribed medications. Cholinesterase inhibitors, which are used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, may also be used to help manage symptoms of Lewy body dementia. These drugs act on chemicals in the brain linked with thinking and memory.

When seniors are prescribed drugs, caregivers should provide timely medication reminders to ensure medication compliance. The drugs are important for helping improve hallucinations, apathy, and delusions. Additional medicines are currently being tested as possible treatments for Lewy body dementia symptoms.

Medications can also help with the movement problems associated with Lewy body dementia. The drugs make it easier for the senior to walk, get out of bed, and move around. Side effects can include behavioral problems, so doctors may not prescribe the drugs for mild movement symptoms.

The depression and anxiety that affects Lewy body dementia patients can be treated with antidepressants. Many of these medications are tolerated well. Antipsychotics may be prescribed to treat behavioral symptoms, but they can cause severe side effects, like confusion and low blood pressure.

When caring for a senior with Lewy body dementia, remember that each case of dementia is unique. It is important to practice person-centered care and prioritize the well-being of the senior. Work with dementia rather than ignore or try to defeat a disease with no existing cure.

Seniors with Lewy body dementia may also experience overlapping symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. While the two diseases are distinct (with Lewy body dementia symptoms targeting cognitive functions and Alzheimer’s impacting memory), in-home care from Assisting Hands Home Care is invaluable.

 

Our reputable home care agency provides compassionate Alzheimer’s care to seniors at any stage of their disease. Professional caregivers are trained to identify and manage symptoms with compassion and patience. Care services can be tailored to meet the unique needs of the diagnosed senior.

Dementia care services include discreet assistance with personal hygiene tasks, meal preparation, timely medication reminders, and transportation to doctors’ offices and to conduct errands. We shop for fresh groceries, assess fall risks, and perform household chores to maintain a hygienic environment.

Assisting Hands Home Care professionals also serve as excellent companions. We initiate conversations, play games, take the senior on safe outings, and keep the senior’s mind stimulated and engaged. Social interactions from our caregivers help prevent seniors from feeling lonely, isolated, and depressed.

When your elderly loved one suffers from Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or any other form or dementia, choose Assisting Hands Home Care. We provide the highest quality memory care to seniors in the comfort of home. Call us at our Sarasota, Florida, location to schedule an in-home consult.