Some family caregivers had never heard of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) until their aging relative was diagnosed with it. That’s not unusual, though. Many people are unfamiliar with the disease, though it is the second most common kind of degenerative dementia. The first, of course, is Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re feeling a little lost and overwhelmed by your older family member’s diagnosis, learning more about LBD can make you a more confident caregiver. 

Below are 5 tips to get you started in learning about the disease.

#1: LBD Usually Starts with Movement Problems

One of the things that will differentiate LBD from Alzheimer’s disease is that it starts with the older adult having trouble with movement. Memory problems start about a year after the movement problems begin. In addition, seniors may have visual hallucinations, which means they see things that aren’t really there.

#2: Symptoms of LBD Can Be Treated

There is no cure for LBD, but there are treatments available. They won’t stop the disease from progressing, but they can ease the symptoms of LBD. Some of the drugs used are also used in treating Alzheimer’s disease and/or Parkinson’s disease. Drugs are available to treat movement problems, thinking problems, and sleep problems.

#3: LBD is a Progressive Disease

The symptoms of LBD get worse as time goes on. The average person with LBD typically live between 5 and 8 years after being diagnosed. However, some people live as little as 2 years and others for as long as 20. How quickly the disease progresses can be affected by things like the senior’s overall health, their age, and how severe their symptoms are.

#4: Cognitive Symptoms Can Fluctuate

The cognitive symptoms of LBD, such as memory, concentration, and alertness, can vary from one day to the next. They can even vary within the span of a single day. This is one of the things that makes the disease different from Alzheimer’s disease where symptoms steadily worsen. Dealing with the unpredictability can make LBD a challenge, so one of the most important skills a family caregiver needs is flexibility.

#5: Elder Care Can Assist People with LBD

When you learn a family member has LBD, you may believe they will have to be placed in a long-term care facility to get the care they need. While that can sometimes be true in the long run, elder care can help older adults to stay in their homes longer, perhaps even for the rest of their life. An elder care provider can offer supervision while family caregivers are at work or elsewhere. Elder care providers can help the seniors with everything from getting dressed in the morning to taking a shower to eating meals.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Lafayette, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care.
Call today: (415) 795-2203

Sources

https://www.lbda.org/

https://www.webmd.com/

https://www.nia.nih.gov/

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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