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What Does Moderate Dementia With Behavioral Disturbance Mean?
My husband has been diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia and he is on two memory prescriptions. He has had a number of delusions before, but he seems to be getting worse. He swears that he hears chanting from a synagogue (we are Jewish, but there is no synagogue any where near us. Last night he swore that mother (did not say which mother) was here. Is this part of his disease process?
Tue, 9 Apr 2019
Hello,
He may have a form of dementia referred to as LEWY BODY DEMENTIA or LEWY BODY DISEASE.
In this illness patients often will hallucinate. They may also exhibit other behaviors such as unreasonable or unfounded fears, paranoia, the sense that people are following, watching, or even stealing from them.
If he's been tried on medications such as Risperdal (risperidone), Haldol (haloperidol) he may get even worse so I advise caution to the physician who may suggest this approach.
Your best bet is to connect with a neurologist for an overall examination and review of the history to determiner what tests or imaging studies, as well as blood work, may be helpful.
I know you say that he has medications for memory, however, long term data has unfortunately not revealed very much efficacy of these medications and so approaches that are more proactive in getting him and keeping him involved in activities of a hands-on, as well as cognitive nature, may be helpful.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE is a terrific way to make things a bit more manageable aside from the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular benefits he may reap.
You may also look into dietary changes that include more antioxidants in his system and less complex sugars and carbohydrates. Reduce saturated fats and oils and you may witness some improvements.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Dariush Saghafi, Neurologist
He may have a form of dementia referred to as LEWY BODY DEMENTIA or LEWY BODY DISEASE.
In this illness patients often will hallucinate. They may also exhibit other behaviors such as unreasonable or unfounded fears, paranoia, the sense that people are following, watching, or even stealing from them.
If he's been tried on medications such as Risperdal (risperidone), Haldol (haloperidol) he may get even worse so I advise caution to the physician who may suggest this approach.
Your best bet is to connect with a neurologist for an overall examination and review of the history to determiner what tests or imaging studies, as well as blood work, may be helpful.
I know you say that he has medications for memory, however, long term data has unfortunately not revealed very much efficacy of these medications and so approaches that are more proactive in getting him and keeping him involved in activities of a hands-on, as well as cognitive nature, may be helpful.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE is a terrific way to make things a bit more manageable aside from the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular benefits he may reap.
You may also look into dietary changes that include more antioxidants in his system and less complex sugars and carbohydrates. Reduce saturated fats and oils and you may witness some improvements.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Dariush Saghafi, Neurologist
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