In fact, lately he can change behaviors several times within one day. Could this mean his dementia is progressing? I know the disease will progress, just wondering if this is a sign he may be going into the next stage. He appears appears to be in the moderate stage from what I have been reading about the stage levels and behaviours associated with those levels. I know each person is unique in their progression. I am wondering if others have experienced this with a parent as a sign the disease is taking a turn for the worse.
Also, a nurse is coming to visit him at home for a "welness visit" since he is on medicare. He also has another "wellness visit" next month with a nurse at his primary care physician's offfice. The results of both of these visits are to be reported to his primary care physician. Does anyone know if they check for cognitive abilities.
He has been like this since June 2003. The fluctuations are a normal part of his disease (Lewy Body Dementia). Lately the good days are gettting less frequent and the bad times are getting worse. I take this as a possible sign that the disease is progressing. But really, I can only deal with what presents itself each day.
I know -- believe me I know -- that caregivers would like to have milestones, guide posts to where we are in this disease, maybe even a clue now and then about how much longer things will stay as they are. The reality is that clear markers are few and far between. All we can do is take each day as it comes.
As you read about the stages of dementia, keep in mind that there are more than 50 kinds of dementia, and they don't all include the same set of symptoms. They don't all progress in the same way. For example, hallucinations typically come later in Alzheimer's but may the first symptom in Lewy Body Dementia. Reading such lists can be helpful in terms of learning in a very general way what might be expected. But they are seldom a good match for any particular case of dementia.
Sorry. I don' guess that is what you were hoping to hear.