Has your loved one been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)? It can be overwhelming and create thousands of thoughts in your mind – what will be the future of your loved ones? Will their quality of life ever change?
Among all questions, one critical concern is often related to life expectancy. Therefore, having in-depth knowledge about life expectancy can help families prepare for the future.
However, families should also consider senior living options to offer support through therapies for Dementia management in loved ones. Therefore, you should search for senior living facilities near me and explore communities that prioritize your loved one’s needs and overall quality of life.
In this article, we will find the average life expectancy for individuals with Lewy body Dementia. We’ll also discover the factors influencing it and how families cope with these challenging diagnoses.
What is Lewy Body Dementia?
Lewy Body Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with Lewy bodies—abnormal protein deposits—in the brain. These deposits disrupt normal brain function and create cognitive decline, visual hallucinations, and motor control issues like Parkinson’s disease.
Lewy Body Dementia and Its Stages
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) progresses through various stages. These include:
- Stage One: In this stage, an individual has no symptoms, and the disease is undetectable.
- Stage Two: An individual experiences mild cognitive decline and forgets small things like keys and names.
- Stage Three: The stage three starts when an individual has mild memory loss and cognitive decline.
- Stage Four: The individuals struggle with doing daily activities. It is the stage when a healthcare professional diagnoses your loved one.
- Stage Five: In this stage, an individual experiences moderately severe cognitive decline. However, they may require assistance with the daily tasks.
- Stage 6: An individual has severe cognitive decline and may lose speaking ability.
- Stage Seven: This is the most critical stage; here, an individual loses his ability to communicate and walk.
Key Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia
The key symptoms impacting life expectancy are:
- Cognitive Decline: Individuals face significant cognitive challenges.
- Visual Hallucinations: Many patients report seeing things that don’t exist in real.
- Motor Symptoms: Patients experience symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movements similar to Parkinson’s disease.
- Sleep Disorders: People with Dementia often suffer from disturbed sleep patterns.
Causes of Lewy Body Dementia
Significant causes of Lewy Body Dementia are:
- Genetic Factors: Some genes build up abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies.
- Environmental Factors: Specific environmental conditions increase the risk of developing the condition.
- Lifestyle Factors: Factors like unhealthy eating habits and chronic health conditions increase the risk of LBD in individuals.
Average Life Expectancy for Individuals with Lewy Body Dementia
The average life expectancy for someone diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia generally ranges from 5 to 8 years post-diagnosis. Several factors that influence life expectancy are:
- Age: Older individuals diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia face a shorter life expectancy.
- Overall Health: Health conditions like cardiovascular disease or diabetes significantly affect life expectancy.
- Care and Support: Access to medical care and strong family support improve life quality and provide valuable resources to manage symptoms.
- Progression of Symptoms: Some face rapid cognitive decline while others maintain a higher level of function for a longer time.
Coping with the Diagnosis
To cope with the diagnosis, families and caregivers should:
Understand the Symptoms
You should educate yourself about Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and its common symptoms like fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and changes in alertness. However, having in-depth knowledge about the symptoms and how the disease progresses will help you make informed care decisions for your loved one.
Establish a Support Network
You should connect with support groups, whether in-person or online, and share experiences with others facing similar challenges. It will help you look for ways to provide emotional relief to loved ones.
Focus on Quality of Life
You should create a structured routine for your loved ones by getting them engaged in physical activities and incorporating mindfulness to provide comfort and enhance their overall well-being.
Plan for the Future
You should have open conversations about future care preferences. Therefore, you should discuss long-term care options, as it will give you peace of mind as the disease progresses.
Seek Professional Help
You should consult healthcare professionals to manage symptoms and improve your loved one’s overall well-being. Utilizing expertise helps you navigate the complexities of LBD effectively.
Conclusion
Navigating life with Lewy Body Dementia is undoubtedly complex. It is all filled with uncertainty and emotional challenges. The average life expectancy ranges from 5 to 8 years after diagnosis. Numerous factors influence this timeframe. Therefore, you should establish a robust support network to give a more positive experience to the loved ones. Search for memory care living near me and provide the best support to your loved ones.
