As a care agency, we are here to provide that genuine and authentic care to support your loved one at home. We take so much joy in caring for others and our blogs reflect our personal accounts and experiences.
Our staff member has recently shared her relatives recent Dementia Diagnoses.
I had received a call from my father-in-law to inform me of his wife’s recent diagnoses of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). She is 61 years old. His wife already had Parkinson’s and had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a really difficult time for the family. The news of the recent (LBD) diagnoses had changed my father in laws world. He had made plans to retire and travel the world with his lifelong partner, but he felt that his dreams had been taken away from him.
Being in the health care sector, I was able to reassure my father-in-law and tell him that he can still make plans. Having Dementia is not a death sentence, but it means that there are a few life adjustments, and he shouldn’t stop his dreams. You will never be prepared for the diagnoses and so many thoughts run through your mind on how to support my father-in-law and of course my mother-in-law. You pull together and support each other.
As a family, we were naturally concerned as my mother-in-law was exhibiting vivid auditory and visual hallucinations. You can imagine, this can be stressful for her and her loved ones. I do understand that this is part of her dementia and her dementia symptoms was accelerated by stress. The lovely Dementia nurse said from her experience CBT ( cognitive behavioural therapy) could help her understand what is happening to her.
We are so thankful that my mother-in-law has a brilliant medical team that was able to work with her husband and 2 young son's to review her medication. They were able to find the right balance to treat her Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. For now, my mother-in-law is stable. She still has her days where she has the hallucinations, but she has more days where she has fluid thoughts, is very independent and back to herself. We do recognise that her care needs will change but, in the meantime, we are enjoying the things that she can do on her own.
When the staff member informed us of her mother in laws condition, we were able to consult our network of support including Carers in Bedford and the Tibbs foundation whom we work closely with. We wanted to ensure our staff members relative was accessing the right treatment and the right support group for their loved one.
About Dementia
Dementia is indiscriminate and 1 in 3 people will develop dementia in the UK. Our Live-In Carer’s are experienced in Dementia care and they consistently offer an empathetic support to all.
What is Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning, and independent function. This is due to microscopic, protein deposits that can gradually damage brain cells over time.
Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia can include:
- Memory Loss
- Difficulty with movement
- Visual hallucinations
- Changes in behaviour and mood.
How to support someone with Lewy Body Dementia
Treatment options include:
- Medication – Speaking to your GP to find the right balance of medication to help treat or control the Dementia symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes – This can include creating a safe and supportive environment and providing meaningful activities such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
- Counselling – such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Treatment) can help to understand the hallucinations, help control the changes in mood and the diagnoses changes in behaviour.
- Create a safe and comfortable environment. Remove any potential hazards, such as scatter rugs or furniture that could cause a fall.
- Provide structure and routine to their daily activities. This can help reduce confusion and anxiety.
- Encourage them to stay socially active. It can help to maintain their physical and mental health.
- Stay involved in their care and decision making. Ask questions, provide emotional support and make sure you understand their wishes.
- Find a support group of other caregivers and people with LBD
- If you are caring for someone with LBD, self-care is important, think of having respite care and join a support group also
We know it can be upsetting caring for someone with LBD, we understand, as our team have first hand experience with this.
We will ensure:
- That you will receive a sensitive and reassuring approach to your questions
- We will provide a service that recognises each person as an individual.
- We will be working to keep your loved one safe, comfortable and within the familiar surroundings of their home.
Our wonderful Services Manager Kayleigh Cox, will be completing a sky dive to raise money for the Alzheimer's society. If you would like to donate then please click here.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team for advise or support then please contact 01223 864 066 option 1
