This is a tough one because my husband has become a flight risk and wants to just wander. I have to keep the doors locked from the inside and hide all the keys to our house, cars, storage house, etc. This makes him feel like he is in a prison. He even told a friend, "I am in jail now." I also feel like I am confined as well, so I understand what he is implying, but for him to stay at home, there is no other option. This is not easy, but to survive I have to find ways to make him feel important and needed. I try to look for small things to point out to him that are helpful throughout the day such as when he helps with dishes or runs the vacuum- even if it is something I have to do again - I let him know that I can't do this without him. If he changes clothes 5 x a day (he has lost so much weight that he sometimes puts on my t-shirts or jeans ) I still tell him how amazing he looks. I call people and ask them to call him with questions about the yard, or flying, or money, or faith, and he feels good that he can help someone even though he usually has no idea what he just talked about. We have a helper 4 days a week and they go out to eat, ride to the airport, run errands, etc. Hubby has been told that we are helping "Mike" and that makes him happy to see him. When we get in bed I make sure to tell him how wonderful our day has been, thank him for his help, and that I look forward to another great day (many days are not truly great..in fact some are nightmares but I try to end on a positive note).
It is not easy to be a caregiver of someone with Lewy Body Dementia/ Parkinsonism/ and possibly alzheimers...but it must be much tougher to be the person living with this diagnosis. Finding ways to encourage, uplift, and inspire are difficult but can be done with just a little bit of creativity and TONS of patience! Good luck and may God bless and inspire you.