Last updated: January 2026
Quick answer
Early-onset Lewy body dementia in women can appear before age 65 and is often missed or misdiagnosed. Early signs include motor changes, hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and cognitive fluctuations. Prompt evaluation and specialized memory care can significantly improve safety, symptom management, and quality of life.
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common form of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood, especially when it appears earlier in life. For women, early-onset Lewy body dementia can be particularly challenging to recognize, diagnose, and manage, often leading to delayed care and unnecessary stress for families.
At The Kensington Redondo Beach, we regularly support families who sensed “something wasn’t right” long before a formal diagnosis was made. Understanding how early-onset
Lewy body dementia presents in women, and how care needs evolve can make a critical difference for both the aging adult and those who love them.
What Is Early-Onset Lewy Body Dementia?
Early-onset Lewy body dementia generally refers to LBD diagnosed before the age of 65.
While Lewy body dementia most commonly affects adults over 50, women experiencing early onset symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s disease, or even menopause-related changes.
Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, known as Lewy bodies, disrupt communication between brain cells and interfere with both cognitive and motor function.
Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which typically begins with memory loss, LBD often presents early with movement symptoms, visual hallucinations, and fluctuating cognition.
These features can be confusing and alarming when they appear in otherwise healthy, active women.
Early Signs of Lewy Body Dementia in Women
Recognizing early-onset Lewy body dementia in women requires close attention to changes that may seem unrelated at first. Common early signs include:
- Increased muscle stiffness, rigidity, or slowed movement
- Frequent falls or unexplained balance problems
- Visual hallucinations or seeing things that aren’t there
- REM sleep behavior disorder, such as acting out dreams
- Fluctuating alertness or attention throughout the day
- Dizziness, fainting, or sudden drops in blood pressure
- Difficulty swallowing or changes in speech
- Personality or behavior changes that seem out of character
Because memory loss may be mild or inconsistent in the early stages, families often dismiss these symptoms or attribute them to stress, aging, or other health conditions.
Why Lewy Body Dementia Is Often Missed In Women
There are several reasons early-onset Lewy body dementia in women is frequently underdiagnosed:
- Symptoms overlap with Parkinson’s disease, depression, and anxiety
- Hallucinations may be minimized or hidden due to embarrassment
- Cognitive changes fluctuate rather than decline steadily
- Hormonal changes can mask neurological symptoms
- Women are often caregivers themselves, delaying evaluation
Research also suggests that genetic factors, including the APOE4 gene, may affect women differently than men, increasing dementia risk even at younger ages.
Risk Factors For Women With Early-Onset LBD
While the exact cause of Lewy body dementia remains unknown, several factors may increase risk in women:
- Family history of dementia or Parkinson’s disease
- Chronic stress and long-term caregiving roles
- Depression and anxiety disorders
- Sleep disorders, particularly REM sleep behavior disorder
- Cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension or diabetes
Estrogen may play a protective role in brain health, and changes in hormonal exposure across a woman’s lifespan may influence dementia risk, though research is ongoing.
What Women Can Do To Reduce Risk And Support Brain Health
There is no proven way to prevent Lewy body dementia, but certain lifestyle choices may support overall neurological health:
- Maintaining a heart-healthy, balanced diet
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Managing stress through mindfulness or gentle exercise
- Staying socially and intellectually engaged
- Addressing sleep disturbances early
- Managing chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
For caregivers, protecting mental health is equally important. Chronic stress and burnout can worsen outcomes for both caregiver and aging adult.
Caring For A Loved One With Early Onset Lewy Body Dementia
In the earliest stages, women with LBD may continue living independently with some support. Over time, however, symptoms such as hallucinations, falls, swallowing difficulties, and medication sensitivity can make caregiving increasingly complex.
Families often reach a point where home-based care no longer provides the safety or consistency their loved one needs. Lewy body dementia requires specialized knowledge, particularly because some common antipsychotic medications can worsen symptoms.
This is where enhanced memory care becomes essential.
How Memory Care Supports Women With Lewy Body Dementia
At The Kensington Redondo Beach, our memory care programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of residents with Lewy body dementia, including those diagnosed at an earlier age.
Our approach includes:
- 24/7 licensed nursing support
- Specialized dementia-trained team members
- Care plans adapted to fluctuating cognition
- Fall prevention and mobility support
- Medication management with careful oversight
- Secure, calming environments to reduce hallucination-related distress
- Life-enrichment activities tailored to abilities and interests
Our goal is to preserve dignity, comfort, and quality of life while supporting families through every stage of the disease.
Knowing When Memory Care Is The Right Step
It may be time to consider memory care if your loved one is experiencing:
- Frequent falls or unsafe wandering
- Hallucinations that cause fear or confusion
- Difficulty swallowing or managing medications
- Increased caregiver exhaustion or burnout
- Behavioral changes that compromise safety
Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and greater peace of mind for families.
Finding Support At The Kensington Redondo Beach
Lewy body dementia can feel overwhelming, especially when it appears earlier than expected. You are not alone.
The Kensington Redondo Beach provides enhanced assisted living and specialized memory care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Lewy body dementia.
Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own, offering clinical expertise alongside compassion and understanding.
Concerned about early-onset Lewy body dementia in a loved one? Reach out to us at The Kensington Redondo Beach to learn more about our care options and support services.
Frequently Asked Questions: Early-Onset Lewy Body Dementia
Early-onset Lewy body dementia typically refers to diagnoses made before age 65, though symptoms can begin several years earlier.
Men are diagnosed slightly more often overall, but women may experience delayed diagnosis due to atypical symptoms and misattribution to other conditions.
Lewy body dementia often begins with movement issues, hallucinations, and fluctuating cognition, while Alzheimer’s typically starts with memory loss.
There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed through specialized medical care, therapy, and supportive memory care environments.
Memory care should be considered when safety, mobility, hallucinations, or caregiver strain become difficult to manage at home.