Lewy Body Dementia is a Common but Treatable Condition

As people get older, they experience physical and mental changes. Not all forms of change correspond to dementia, even though it may resemble that condition.

Alzheimer’s is a common form of dementia, but it’s far from the only one. Dementia comes in many different forms, and of all the most common types of dementia, Lewy Dementia is second. The symptoms can be quite distinct.

Lewy body dementia occurs when protein deposits called Lewy bodies develop in the brain’s nerve cells. These proteins affect parts of the brain associated with memory, movement, and thinking. It tends to affect men more than women, though those with it in their family history are at higher risk. The condition also tends to affect people over 60.

Lewy dementia worsens gradually over time and can lead to a wide array of symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at a few symptoms to understand the condition better:

Visual Hallucinations

People with Lewy body dementia may be prone to visual hallucinations or seeing things that aren’t there. This is usually one of the first symptoms of Lewy body dementia and occurs regularly.

It’s not uncommon for those with this condition to see shapes, people, or animals that aren’t really there. Some hallucinations involve smells, touch, and sounds.

Sagecare is a dementia care home with nurses who are very experienced in dealing with residents with these conditions and know how to make them feel comfortable and at ease while keeping them safe.

Movement Disorders

There are many different dementia symptoms, and some may look like Parkinson’s disease on the surface. Lewy body dementia may cause rigid muscles, tremors, or a shuffling walk.

These symptoms can be dangerous because they can cause people to fall. Creating a safe environment is all about balancing a resident’s ability to be independent while ensuring they have physical and emotional support while their conditions progress. We care for our residents no matter how their conditions advance over the months and years.

Whatever state they’re in, they have a supportive home here.

Poorly Regulating Body Functions

Lewy body dementia affects the nervous system’s control over automatic functions, known as the autonomic nervous system, which controls things like blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and sweating.

Losing control of this can result in sudden drops in blood pressure upon standing, falls, dizziness, loss of bladder control, and bowel problems like constipation. People can struggle emotionally when they lose control over core bodily functions — it’s not just a physical problem.

While most types of dementia are often thought to be mostly a cognitive issue, Lewy body dementia is wide-ranging and physical. Sagecare has a range of supports to help residents with all their physical and cognitive issues, no matter how mild or severe or how they develop over time.

Cognitive Problems

Lewy body dementia may sound more bodily than mental. However, don’t forget, the brain is, after all, a part of the body. This type of dementia can really affect how people think in ways that resemble Alzheimer’s disease.

People with Lewy body dementia may experience confusion, visual-spatial problems, memory loss, and poor attention. They may be relatively mild at first and grow more severe over time. The nurses at Sagecare are specialists in dealing with residents dealing with cognitive issues — that’s what we do at our core.

We believe that even as a person’s mental abilities change, they still deserve agency and control over their lives. We never use deception to twist residents into behaving. That’s against everything we stand for.

Dementia, and the cognitive issues surrounding it, is a normal part of life at Sagecare, not an exception. As such, residents can relax, rather than feel like they need to perform or hold a sense of the self together. Usually, this alone can drastically improve their wellbeing.

No matter how Lewy body dementia changes their cognitive abilities, they’ll be surrounded by people who know them and are invested in their health and wellness.

Trouble Sleeping

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to improve a person’s immediate health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, people with Lewy body dementia may have rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder.

REM sleep behavioural disorder causes people to physically act out their dreams while asleep, going as far as to kick, punch, and scream in their sleep. They may wake themselves up in the process, impacting their own sleep patterns.

Loss of Attention

Those with Lewy body dementia may experience episodes of drowsiness. It’s not uncommon to find them staring into space for a while, taking long naps in the middle of the day, or uttering disorganized speech.

Sagecare nurses know how to recognize these signs, and we can address them accordingly.

Depression and Apathy

Finally, those with Lewy body dementia may experience depression or apathy. Feeling your own body change in the above ways can take a toll on a person’s mental health. They may feel down or simply disinterested and uninvolved.

Sagecare is very alert to these types of symptoms and we know how to respond. It usually involves a mix of giving people the space they need, while also providing them with engaging activities they can participate in and keep their mind focused.

We take pride in providing a compassionate community that understands that life is richer with friends alongside the dementia home care experience. Building relationships that transcend caregiving and receiving is the hallmark of the Sagecare experience. We try to foster this level of community between our specialists and residents and among themselves.

Dementia is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It comes in many different forms, and once a person gets it, their specific condition changes and progresses. Along these lines, Lewy body dementia also looks very different from person to person, and can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Sagecare knows how to recognize and treat the conditions, whatever they are, and no matter how they evolve. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about Lewy body dementia or any form of dementia.

Lewy Body Dementia: Understanding the Symptoms and Diagnosis