Most caregivers are concerned/worried that something is not right.
Symptoms from later stages can also appear this early on the continuum.
At the end of this phase, cognitive impairment is difficult to deny.
(Note: Symptoms from later or earlier stages can also appear at this phase.)
Symptoms and subtle changes may include:
- Increased daytime sleep: two-plus hours
- Hallucinations
- REM sleep disorder
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Sense of smell diminished
- Vision affected (clarity, comprehension and/or peripheral)
- Hearing affected (clarity and/or comprehension)
- Speech difficulty (word-finding, pronunciation, etc)
- Physical coordination diminished
- Parkinson’s disease diagnosis
- Shuffling gait
- Slowness of movement
- Cog-wheeling (smooth motions now jerky)
- Posture altered (stooping or leaning)
- Chronic runny nose
- Myoclonic jerking
- Comprehension issues
- Ability to learn new tasks affected
- Short term memory impacted
- Loss of initiative, interests
- Alertness varies
- Thinking/learning/ problem solving difficulties suggest dementia
- Mood: Depressed/Anxiety
- Fluctuations in mood
- Able to engage independently in leisure activities
- Handwriting is affected (often smaller or less legible)
- Impairments with financial responsibilities
- May still be able to maintain employment
- May be able to hide (mask) symptoms
- Socialization still possible
- Driving skills affected
- May accuse spouse of infidelity
Phase 2 Possibilities
By this point, most caregivers are worried that something is seriously wrong and seek medical attention.
Frequently given an incorrect diagnosis (Alzheimer’s, Multisystem atrophy, Multi-Infarct Dementia, Depression, Parkinson’s Disease).
Caregivers consult with an elder law attorney by this point: at very least have a Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney document on the patient.
Protect assets: family, friends, caregivers may be able to take financial advantage of LO.
Caregivers need to familiarize themselves with all finances and assets to possibly consult with a financial advisor.
Symptoms are usually clearer by this point:
- Balance and stability diminished
- Ambulates/transfers without assistance
- Increased risk for falls/requires walker
- Occasional episodes of incontinence (1 or 2 a month)
- Some autonomic dysfunction (changes in BP, sweating, fainting, dry mouth)
- Leaning to one side when standing, walking and seated
- Parkinson’s symptoms controlled with medication
- Able to perform most ADLs without assistance
Increased difficulty with:
- Finding words (aphasia)
- Organizing thoughts
- Reading & comprehension
- Following TV programs
- Operating home appliances
- May be able to administer own medications
- Able to follow core content of most conversations
- Able to be left unsupervised for two or more hours
- Delusions more firmly held
- Capgrass Syndrome (seeing or thinking there are identical duplicates of people, locations, objects, etc)
- Depressed mood
- Paranoia
- Agitation
Phase 3 Possibilities
Correct diagnosis by this point more likely. Caregiver and patient actively grieve. Caregivers may need home health aide assistance to maintain LO in the home.
Caregiver needs regular planned respite to maintain their own health.
Caregiver health issues often arise and require health care.
Patient is at risk for long-term care due to: psychological symptoms, personal safety risk, and caregiver safety and health risks.
The needs of the patient significantly affect personal finances.
(Note: Symptoms from later or earlier stages can also appear at this phase.)
- Ambulation/transfer s are impaired, needs assistance with some portion of movement
- At risk for falls
- Increase of Parkinson’s symptoms
- Increase of autonomic dysfunctions
- Needs assistance/supervision with most ADLs. May require DME
- Frequent episodes of incontinence (two+ per week)
- Speech becomes impaired, projection (volume) may decrease
- Able to follow content of most simple/brief conversations or simple commands
- Able to be left unsupervised less than one hour
- Unable to work
- Unable to drive
- Unable to administer medication without supervision
- Unable to organize or participate in leisure activities
- Increased confusion
- Possible delusions & Capgrass Syndrome
- Inability to tell time or comprehend time passing
- Increased difficulty with expressive language
- Mood fluctuations (depressed, paranoid, anxious, angry) requiring medical monitoring
- Severity of symptoms may increase or decrease
Phase 4 Possibilities
Caregiver at high risk for chronic health/joint problems. Self-care is paramount to providing patient care.
The needs of the patient require the assistance of a home-health aide/private-duty aide two-to-seven days per week.
Increased patient needs may require potential for long-term care placement.
Patient may be declared mentally incapacitated.
Caregiver may need to explore Hospice services.
(Note: Symptoms from later or earlier stages can also appear at this phase.)
- Continuous assistance with ambulation/transfers
- High risk for falls
- Needs assistance with all ADLs
- Incontinent of bladder and bowel
- Unable to follow content of most simple/brief conversations or commands
- Speech limited to simple sentences or one-to-three-word responses
- Requires 24-hour supervision
- May need electronic lift recliner chair
- Parkinson’s symptoms need regular medical monitoring
- Autonomic dysfunctions need regular medical monitoring
- Choking, difficulty swallowing, aspiration, excessive drooling
- Increased daytime sleeping
- Hallucinations prevalent but less troublesome
Phase 5 Possibilities
Caregiver is actively grieving.
Potential for increased caregiver stress.
Hospice assistance is strongly suggested.
Caregiver will need hands-on support from others to maintain LO at home.
Caregiver may need to honor decisions made earlier on the Living Will.
(Note: Symptoms from later or earlier stages can also appear at this phase.)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dependent for all ADLs
- High risk for URI, pneumonia, and UTI
- High risk for skin breakdown
- Patient requires hospital bed, Hoyer lift or Mo-lift, suction machine, etc.)
- Muscle contractions – hands, legs, arms
- Lean to either side very pronounced (sometimes called Lewy Lean)
- May carry a fever
- May need nutritional supplements – Ensure/Boost/ Carnation Instant Breakfast
- May require decision whether or not to use feeding tube
- Unable to follow simple commands or assist with repositioning
- Decreased or no language skills
- Constant delusions
- Fluctuations less frequent and more severe
Lewy Body Dementia UK 