Lewy body Dementia is a complex condition that often goes unnoticed early on. This condition develops subtly and is easy to mistake for natural age-related changes in the brain. However, as the condition progresses, a person may need a higher level of care.
Lewy body dementia progresses through 7 distinct stages. Each of these is marked with unique symptoms and changes. Learning to identify the stages is the first step toward finding help for your loved one.
What Is Lewy Body Dementia?
Lewy body dementia is a type of progressive dementia. It’s characterized by an abnormal buildup of proteins, called Lewy bodies, throughout the brain.
Though this condition shares symptoms with both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, it’s a unique branch of dementia. In early stages, it’s difficult to identify Lewy body dementia, but symptoms progressively worsen over the years.
Typically, this condition is recognizable by:
- Fluctuating cognition
- Motor difficulties
- Visual hallucinations
With Lewy body dementia, early diagnosis is key. Your loved one deserves professional support, and memory care can help your loved one maintain their quality of life. But how do you identify where your loved one is on their journey?
The Stages of Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia progressively worsens as time passes. In the earliest stages, it may appear as simple forgetfulness, but this eventually reaches a point where it impacts your loved one’s quality of life.
This condition can be broken down into 7 key stages, each with unique characteristics. So what are the 7 stages of Lewy body dementia?
1. No Decline
In the initial stage, Lewy body dementia rarely causes any noticeable symptoms. A person beginning to develop this condition can remain fully independent, and there are no signs of cognitive impairment.
At this point, proteins are beginning to build and form Lewy bodies throughout the brain. However, they have not yet damaged the surrounding cells.
2. Mild Cognitive Changes
During this stage, the Lewy bodies begin damaging surrounding cells. A person may begin experiencing minor forgetfulness and mild confusion. These changes can impact daily activities, but can effectively be managed with memory aids.
At this point, a person living with Lewy body dementia may develop coping strategies to manage these mild disruptions. However, the symptoms eventually progressively worsen.
3. Mild Cognitive Decline
At Stage 3, memory lapses and concentration problems become much more pronounced. This is typically when the condition becomes obvious to others.
At this stage, Lewy bodies have damaged cells throughout the brain. This can cause several symptoms, such as:
- Increased forgetfulness
- Difficulty in organizing thoughts
- Challenges with learning new information
Early intervention is key at this stage to preserve cognitive abilities. If you’re worried that your loved one is at risk of Lewy body dementia, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional. It also helps to reach out to memory care communities nearby to proactively plan for the future.
4. Moderate Cognitive Decline
At this point, significant memory issues become apparent. Brain cells are irreparably damaged due to the Lewy bodies, and cognitive challenges are obvious.
A person living with Stage 4 Lewy body dementia will likely struggle with most complicated tasks. It’s important to implement strategies for managing daily life to preserve your loved one’s quality of life. Professional care soon becomes essential.
5. Moderate-Severe Cognitive Decline
As Lewy body dementia enters Stage 5, the impact becomes much more severe. Cognitive function decreases and a person will likely require daily assistance and supervision.
At this stage, the condition often appears as:
- Pronounced confusion
- Considerable memory gaps
- Noticeable decline in problem-solving
- Mood swings
- Changes in behavior
This can be challenging to care for alone. At this point, professional support through memory care is key to maintaining your loved one’s lifestyle.
6. Severe Cognitive Decline
In Stage 6, the progression of the condition will affect almost every part of a person’s life. Your loved one will not be able to safely stay independent and will need professional support.
At this point, common symptoms include:
- Severe memory loss
- Extensive confusion
- Difficulty communicating
- Uncontrollable muscle movements
During Stage 6, your loved one will need support from a memory care community. This is key to preserving dignity, respect, and quality of life.
7. Very Severe Cognitive Decline
In the final stage of Lewy body dementia, decline impacts every aspect of a person’s life. Your loved one will need assistance for most basic tasks like personal hygiene and eating. At this point, communication becomes significantly impaired.
During Stage 7, care is focused on promoting dignity, comfort, and safety. Memory care communities can work closely with your family to meet your loved one’s unique needs and look after their well-being. This tailored assistance will improve your loved one’s quality of life.
Helping a Loved One with Lewy Body Dementia
If your loved one shows signs of Lewy body dementia, it’s time to take action. Learning more about this complex condition is key to getting your loved one the help they support. And our team here at Liana of Sarasota is ready to help. Schedule a visit with our community today, and we can work together to help your loved one in their journey.
