Caring for someone with dementia with Lewy bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is also known as DLB. Around 10% of all cases are said to involve DLB. Many of the symptoms of DLB also occur in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. There are many other names for DLB, with people sometimes referring to it as Lewy body dementia or cortical Lewy body disease. Bramble Home Care can support you or your loved one with dementia with Lewy bodies by providing the most appropriate dementia care in Gloucestershire.

Lewy bodies themselves are tiny deposits of protein that are found in nerve cells. They are linked to low levels of dopamine and acetylcholine as well as reduced connections between nerve cells. As time progresses, increasing amounts of brain tissue are lost and further brain cells die. Lewy bodies are named after the doctor who first discovered the deposits.

Symptoms of DLB depend on a number of factors, including where in the brain the bodies are found. For instance, if they are found at the base of the brain, problems with movement can occur. Some patients may suffer not only movement problems, but also changes to their mental capabilities. Around two-thirds of people with DLB go on to develop problems with movement as time progresses.

DLB is one of the Lewy bodies dementias alongside Parkinson's disease dementia. It's feared that DLB is dramatically under-diagnosed, with DLB only accounting for around 4% of recorded dementia despite scientists' claims that it is in fact responsible for 10%. DLB becomes a bigger risk once a person reaches 65, although many people aged under 65 have developed it. But can be hard to predict whether a person is likely to develop DLB - many people who do develop DLB have no family history of it.

Symptoms of DLB can appear gradually and subtly. Whilst some symptoms also appear in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, some symptoms only appear when DLB is present. People with DLB may find it hard to pay attention or be alert, with their behaviour potentially changing over the course of the day. Perceiving objects can become more difficult, as can organisation.

Memory problems may become evident during the early stages of DLB, but these aren't usually as significant as those of people experiencing the early onset of Alzheimer's. Hallucinations can be common, particularly of people and animals. Sleep disorders are common, and as the disease is a progressive one, symptoms worsen over time. Patients can become incredibly restless and many find it difficult to speak and swallow.

Caring for someone with DLB can be challenging, but if you’re looking for dementia care in Gloucestershire, the team at Bramble Home Care can provide that care, encompassing expert support, advice and guidance. You can also find further information on this topic in this factsheet: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=113.

Editor’s Note: Bramble Home Care (http://www.bramblehomecare.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.