Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a complex and progressive neurodegenerative disease that progresses with age. This condition profoundly impacts patients’ and their families’ lives.
Research by Alzheimers.gov shows that more than 1 million people in the USA are affected by LBD; still, most people lack proper knowledge about it and struggle to manage the condition. Understanding the Lewy body dementia stages can help caregivers, patients, and loved ones tackle its challenges with empathy and preparedness.
To aid you in this process, this article will take you through the 7 phases of LBD, the symptoms that are linked to each stage, and possible ways in which you can help the patient. Let’s get started!
What Is Lewy Body Dementia?
Lewy Body Dementia (also known as LBD or Dementia with Lewy Body) is a condition in which an individual experiences cognitive impairment, decreased motor skills, and behavioral and mood alterations. Its symptoms are similar to those of common Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, which is why the condition is sometimes misdiagnosed.
In order to improve the quality of life of a person with LBD, it is important that the symptoms get noticed at an early stage and caregivers make changes in the patient’s lifestyle to treat this disease at its early stages. High blood pressure and hypertension levels also contribute to Lewy Body Dementia.
The 7 Stages of Lewy Body Dementia
LBD is not a sudden disease; it progresses with time! The progression of LBD is typically divided into seven stages. These stages reflect the gradual decline in the patient’s cognitive and physical functioning, though the timeline and severity can vary widely depending on age, diet, chronic disease, and medications.
Here are the seven stages of Lewy body dementia:
Stage 1: No Impairment
In the first stage of Lewy body dementia, there is no sign that anything is wrong. The person shows no sysmptoms of the disease and can be active throughout the day without complications. Sometimes, they visit a doctor and even undergo tests, but at this stage, no abnormality is observed. The person may only present with some minimal shaking, slowness of movement, or complaints of muscle rigidity symptoms.
Support Tips:
- Stay informed about early warning signs of LBD and record patient’s values and priorities to help them cope with the condition.
- Maintain regular health check-ups to monitor any subtle changes.
Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline
The second stage of LBD starts with showing small changes in a person’s behavior. The patient may occasionally forget someone’s name or forget after placing everyday items like keys or glasses. These failures are mostly occasional and quite harmless, which is why this stage is initially dismissed as a normal part of aging. However, if left untreated, these symptoms may worsen, and the patient will move to the upper stage of LBD.
Symptoms:
- Minor forgetfulness.
- Slight difficulty focusing.
Support Tips:
- Encourage brain-stimulating activities like puzzles or reading.
- Keep a routine to reduce confusion.
Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline
In the third phase, signs of the disease appear more severe and the patient’s activities performed in the course of the day are more complex. Planning or organizing, for instance, budgeting or arranging the schedule, may begin to get a bit difficult. Sometimes, other family members or friends might start observing such changes, but the patient is still capable of managing their own lifestyle.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty with complex tasks.
- Trouble finding the right words.
- Increased forgetfulness.
Support Tips:
- Begin documenting symptoms to aid in diagnosis.
- Introduce assistive tools like calendars and reminders.
Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline
At this stage, simple everyday activities such as preparing meals or making payments become impossible. The person could get overwhelmed with these responsibilities and reduce their own interaction with others. Other reactions that are normal during the fourth stage of Lewy Body Dementia are alterations in mood, particularly more anxiety or depressive mood.
Symptoms:
- Forgetting recent events or personal history.
- Difficulty with problem-solving.
- Increased anxiety or depression.
Support Tips:
- Seek medical evaluation for a formal diagnosis.
- Provide emotional support to address mood changes.
- Consider hiring a part-time caregiver.
Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline
The fifth stage is characterized by reasonably severe deterioration of the patient’s cognition: memory and other cognitive functions are impaired. The affected person may be unable to recall simple things such as an address, phone number or maybe names of relatives. They may even have difficulties dressing and eating and cannot even look for an item. This stage is highly stressful something that may be very difficult for the person and other caretakers.
Symptoms:
- Confusion about time and place.
- Need for help with dressing or grooming.
- Difficulty recognizing familiar faces.
Support Tips:
- Maintain a structured daily routine to reduce confusion.
- Use memory aids such as labeled photos or signs.
- Ensure a safe home environment by removing hazards.
Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline
This is the most stressful phase of Lewy body dementia stages. This stage severely interferes with the person’s cognitive ability or hinders the proper functioning of their daily activities. The LBD patient might begin to see or hear things that do not exist or think things that are not true. They also experience deterioration in their motor skills enough to cause problems like shaking, walking challenges, or stiffness. Not just physical but also emotional health can also deteriorate quickly, which makes their daily life much harder.
Symptoms:
- Severe memory loss, including forgetting close family members.
- Hallucinations or delusions.
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing.
- Increased risk of falls.
Support Tips:
- Seek professional caregiving assistance or consider a memory care facility.
- Monitor for signs of aspiration due to swallowing issues.
- Provide reassurance during hallucinations rather than trying to argue.
Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline
In this final stage, the person is entirely dependent on others for care. They may lose the ability to speak or move and become bedridden. To help your loved one in this final stage of dementia, you must talk to assisted living care facilities and end-of-life care providers to give your loved one the attention they deserve.
Symptoms:
- Loss of speech.
- Difficulty eating or swallowing.
- Severe motor impairments.
- Profound cognitive deficits.
Support Tips:
- Focus on comforting the patient
- Provide quality of life.
- Emotionally support caregivers and family members.
- Consult with Hospice or Palliative care providers.
Tips to Manage Caregiver Stress Who Deal With LBD Patients
Caring for someone with Lewy body dementia (LBD) is highly tiresome and may drain a person emotionally and physically. If caregivers or family members don’t manage their stress levels, they may not be able to provide the right support to LBD patients. Caregivers will not be able to operate at their full potential, which might cause some issues in LBD caregiving. Here are some proven and useful ways to manage caregiver stress while caring for Lewy body dementia patients:
- Seek Support Groups: There are many online support groups or senior assisted care homes in your area that you can connect with to share your stress. They have experienced similar situations and might provide valuable tips on maintaining your well-being while caring for an LBD patient.
- Take Breaks: Being a caregiver doesn’t mean you are not allowed to rest. Take frequent breaks in your shift to recharge your energy to work at your full potential. You can also consider contacting Respite care centers, which allow you to recharge.
- Educate Yourself: You possibly can’t treat or take care of something that you don’t know anything about. Read books or online resources on Lewy body dementia to understand the disease and provide better care.
Final Thoughts
Lewy body dementia’s 7 stages highlight the gradual progression of this challenging condition. By understanding the symptoms and offering tailored support at each stage, caregivers and families can provide a compassionate and safe environment for their loved ones.
Facing LBD is a journey best navigated with knowledge, patience, and support systems in place. With proper care from communities for assisted living care, individuals living with LBD can still find moments of connection and comfort despite the challenges.
Don’t have enough resources to be the take carer yourself? Don’t worry! Contact Orchard Park Senior Living, a reliable senior assisted living community, today for specialized care and support for your loved ones living with Lewy body Dementia!
