Dementia with Lewy bodies
This is caused by clumps of protein that build up in the brain the clumps are called Lewy bodies
These clumps are also found in people suffering with Parkinson's they build up in an area of your brain that is responsible for thinking, your vision and your muscle movement. it is thought that these Proteins ( clumps) affect the signals between brain cells so that messages to different parts of your brain break down.
This is rare in people under the age of 65. There is I'm afraid to say no cure at the moment for this Disease but there are medications that can help it will not stop the disease from worsening but may help the symptoms some of these are Donepezil Rivastigmine Galantamine These are called inhibitors and may help with confusion ,hallucinations and sleep. Symptoms for this disease are usually gradual over several years and get worse as time goes on. Symptoms speech slow movement seeing and hearing things that aren't there memory loss tremors confusion fainting difficulty swallowing depression sleep disturbance Life expectancy from diagnosis is around 5-7 years Peoples symptoms for this disease can switch on and off in seconds one minute they are hallucinating and the next they are back in the room. Hallucinations are very real to the person they may hear sounds be able to smell, touch and of course visually see what is not there.
When i worked in a care home I witnessed 2 ladies sitting at the table both flicking ants of with there napkins somehow they where sharing the same hallucinations and it is very important when caring for someone that this is there reality. Another time i stayed over at a ladies house and she talked to her husband all night he had died several years ago . All night she was talking to him and begging me to make him a cup of tea in the end i did and very soon after she settled . So as I always say to care for someone with dementia you must step out of your reality and into there's and always remember to take time for your self the journey ahead is not an easy one.
Marina Barker
This is rare in people under the age of 65. There is I'm afraid to say no cure at the moment for this Disease but there are medications that can help it will not stop the disease from worsening but may help the symptoms some of these are Donepezil Rivastigmine Galantamine These are called inhibitors and may help with confusion ,hallucinations and sleep. Symptoms for this disease are usually gradual over several years and get worse as time goes on. Symptoms speech slow movement seeing and hearing things that aren't there memory loss tremors confusion fainting difficulty swallowing depression sleep disturbance Life expectancy from diagnosis is around 5-7 years Peoples symptoms for this disease can switch on and off in seconds one minute they are hallucinating and the next they are back in the room. Hallucinations are very real to the person they may hear sounds be able to smell, touch and of course visually see what is not there.
When i worked in a care home I witnessed 2 ladies sitting at the table both flicking ants of with there napkins somehow they where sharing the same hallucinations and it is very important when caring for someone that this is there reality. Another time i stayed over at a ladies house and she talked to her husband all night he had died several years ago . All night she was talking to him and begging me to make him a cup of tea in the end i did and very soon after she settled . So as I always say to care for someone with dementia you must step out of your reality and into there's and always remember to take time for your self the journey ahead is not an easy one.
Marina Barker