People still believe that Lewy Body Dementia (LBD or DLB) is just another label for Alzheimer's Dementia (AD). It's not. While they may have many traits in common, AD is on the far end of the spectrum of the dementias while LBD tends to hover between the two ends (Parkinson's Disease Dementia - PDD - is on the other end). There are cross-overs, where someone with AD might present some traits, but the LBD patient tends to have specific symptoms not found with AD.
The following mental issues are those typically found with LBD patients, and sometimes with AD, or other forms of dementia not discussed:
1) Hallucinations.
Seeing something that doesn't really exist. For example, bugs, animals, children, robbers, family members, or even events that aren't truly occurring. There may be the hallucination of smells or tastes that exist only for the one singular person.
I've been told by others who are caretakers for LBD patients (spouses, parents, siblings) that cats, mice, birds, and other animals magically appear only to their loved ones; these are so real the patients pet them or even chase them around (if possible). While we've seen nothing such as this we did deal with the robbing, hostage taking, and kidnapping of Mom before she was hospitalized (spoken of in earlier posts).
2) Delusions.
This is different from Hallucinations in that this is believing something that isn't true - Capgras Syndrome is a form of a delusion, believing your spouse is cheating on you (Othello Complex), people are stealing your things, people are abusing you, you've won the lottery, people have been visiting you who couldn't possibly (due to death, distance, time, or many other reasons).
Mom does believe people steal from her, that her clothes are not hers, that her mother comes to visit with her and they work on various tasks, that family members come and nap with her, and that I sleep in the same bed as she and go out in the morning to return at night.
3) Obsessions/Compulsions.
Compulsive preoccupation with things beyond reason, or doing activities over and over, often anxiously - needing to clean, sort repeatedly, hoarding, eating/drinking uncontrollably.
While some of this may have been Mom before hospitalization, she does hoard silverware (just look in her purses, drawers, boxes full of things she picks up and fills with whatever. There was even the time she tried to take the silverware from the restaurant table and stuff it in her purse - averted, but still...
While these may seem alarming at the time, there really is no reason to react dramatically or harshly. A smile, question, and distraction seem to work very well. There is no reason to argue or attempt to "snap them out of it!" This would lead only to frustration, resentment, and hard feelings - in other words a battle that need not be fought. Agreeing or having them tell you more makes more sense.
Remember, for them, this is their reality even though it may not be yours. You've no idea what's going to come next, nor do they. For Mom, her reality can be quite surrealistic and this took some time and thought to realize, although it was right under my nose.
There are medications that can help with these symptoms, all with their own side effects. Be sure to research them after speaking with your doctor or neurologist.
The following mental issues are those typically found with LBD patients, and sometimes with AD, or other forms of dementia not discussed:
1) Hallucinations.
Seeing something that doesn't really exist. For example, bugs, animals, children, robbers, family members, or even events that aren't truly occurring. There may be the hallucination of smells or tastes that exist only for the one singular person.
I've been told by others who are caretakers for LBD patients (spouses, parents, siblings) that cats, mice, birds, and other animals magically appear only to their loved ones; these are so real the patients pet them or even chase them around (if possible). While we've seen nothing such as this we did deal with the robbing, hostage taking, and kidnapping of Mom before she was hospitalized (spoken of in earlier posts).
2) Delusions.
This is different from Hallucinations in that this is believing something that isn't true - Capgras Syndrome is a form of a delusion, believing your spouse is cheating on you (Othello Complex), people are stealing your things, people are abusing you, you've won the lottery, people have been visiting you who couldn't possibly (due to death, distance, time, or many other reasons).
Mom does believe people steal from her, that her clothes are not hers, that her mother comes to visit with her and they work on various tasks, that family members come and nap with her, and that I sleep in the same bed as she and go out in the morning to return at night.
3) Obsessions/Compulsions.
Compulsive preoccupation with things beyond reason, or doing activities over and over, often anxiously - needing to clean, sort repeatedly, hoarding, eating/drinking uncontrollably.
While some of this may have been Mom before hospitalization, she does hoard silverware (just look in her purses, drawers, boxes full of things she picks up and fills with whatever. There was even the time she tried to take the silverware from the restaurant table and stuff it in her purse - averted, but still...
While these may seem alarming at the time, there really is no reason to react dramatically or harshly. A smile, question, and distraction seem to work very well. There is no reason to argue or attempt to "snap them out of it!" This would lead only to frustration, resentment, and hard feelings - in other words a battle that need not be fought. Agreeing or having them tell you more makes more sense.
Remember, for them, this is their reality even though it may not be yours. You've no idea what's going to come next, nor do they. For Mom, her reality can be quite surrealistic and this took some time and thought to realize, although it was right under my nose.
There are medications that can help with these symptoms, all with their own side effects. Be sure to research them after speaking with your doctor or neurologist.
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