My mom was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia a decade ago, but the truth is that she probably developed it long before then, maybe even a decade before. I could tell many stories of what this battle has been like, but let me summarize it as best I can. When she turned 75 I threw a surprise party for her. Now, less than a year later she doesn’t remember the party at all. She struggles to recognize people that she knows she knows. Sometimes she can’t even name me or her relationship to me, her youngest daughter and full-time caregiver, with whom she has lived fulltime since 2013. Another facet of the LBD is the hallucinations and delusions. She sees things and hears things that cannot be and believes them even if we prove otherwise. She finds ways to explain it all away.

Mom fades as the day goes on, until by evening she’s almost unrecognizable. She gets argumentative, aggressive, even mean, and engages in increasingly risky behavior such as climbing on chairs to hang things. This results in falls and more than one broken bone. I was able to leave her alone for short periods of time until recently. I worry what she will decide to do unsupervised. I have errands piling up that I simply cannot do. A grocery trip could give her time to climb and fall off a ladder, even an unrushed shower could let her leave and get lost outside. I’ve neglected my own health and doctor appointments because I can’t leave her alone, and I can’t bring her with me.

It doesn’t look like she’ll be eligible for any financial assistance because of the way it works where we live. With the need for at least a part time aide, the new medical equipment mom needs, and the medical bills themselves, I don’t know how to make ends meet. I need help while I try to figure things out. So, I’m reaching out and asking for help. The amount I’m asking for is based on 16 hours of nurse-assistance a week for 6 months, plus other existing medical expenses both from bills and required medical equipment for my mother.

Every and any little bit helps, so please help if you are able. It is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.