Lewy body dementia affects an estimated 1.4 million Americans. It’s the second most common form of dementia, coming in second to Alzheimer’s disease. After diagnosis, the life expectancy is about five to seven years. The most common symptom is REM sleep behavior disorder, where one acts out their dreams while they’re sleeping. It includes kicking and hitting, yelling out, and other sudden reactions. Your mom has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. What can you do to help her? How does senior home care assist her in her goal to stay at home?
Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia
The symptoms of Lewy body dementia start with REM sleep behavior disorder, but it goes well beyond that. Dementia is next, and it usually affects problem-solving skills, speech, and inhibitions. Hallucinations occur, too.
Movements are also impacted. It can mimic Parkinson’s with slowed movements, balance issues, and loss of coordination. It’s very likely that your mom will need a wheelchair or walker. Incontinence is also likely.
There’s one more concerning symptom. Your mom may experience a sudden decline in blood pressure when standing up. This can make her feel dizzy or even faint. She shouldn’t be alone when she stands up.
How Senior Home Care Helps
Those are the symptoms of Lewy body dementia, so how can senior home care services help your family? Start with dizziness. If your mom is prone to passing out or becoming dizzy and falling when she stands up, she needs someone with her when she stands up from a chair or sofa and when she gets out of bed.
Your mom struggles with mobility. She doesn’t have the stamina to stand in her kitchen and cook a meal. She cannot go up and down her stairs to get the mail or do the laundry. She can have her caregiver do the housework, cook meals, prepare snacks, and wash and dry clothes.
Due to her mobility issues and difficulties with speech, your mom has regular appointments with physical and speech therapists. You’re constantly taking time off work to drive her to and from those appointments. Would it be easier if you had a caregiver available to escort your mom to her variety of appointments?
Are you providing the care your mom needs? If you’re the primary family caregiver, you might be struggling to balance all of the care she needs and your own needs. You have a job, children at home, and friendships to maintain. You need a break and respite care is one way to ensure you get it.
Talk to a senior home care specialist about care services. Discuss your mom’s disease, how fast it’s progressing, and what help she needs the most. From there, book the services that match her needs.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior Home Care in Peoria, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Resources at (602) 443-4700
Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/dementia-with-lewy-bodies/#frequency
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