Hi Victoria
I've not been on TP long either, like your Dad, mine has Lewy Body, he's 69 and was diagnosed about 2 years ago, but has shown signs got a lot longer. He has phases where he sleeps a lot and during these his personal hygiene and general level of apathy can be pretty bad, he's had a few major episodes of hallucinations that resulted in hospital treatment, and has been in a care home for approx the last 12 months.
Many of the issues you mention have cropped up over the last few years, I can't say I've got all the answers, or that it gets any easier, having been through a particularly difficult time recently, but I will agree with many of the others, remember not to be so hard on yourself, or other family members, you all, I'm sure do the best you can, TP is a really good place for asking question, venting and sharing frustrations. No one judges you here, we know that we all do the best we care, we all juggle every day life and our many daily challenges, some of the most important things I've learnt in the last few weeks are that you aren't alone, and it's important to keep on top of your mental health, as well as your dad's.
Dad was having a bad few days on my last visit and communication was really difficult, rather than leave and miss out on time with him, I picked up a book from the quiet area - Wind in the Willows, I read several chapters before he dozed off, it felt like a complete role reversal, it's a book he's read to me many times as a child, but I was able to take comfort from the slight smile on his sometimes expressionless face.
Take care, and remember to be kind to yourself, as well as others xx
Therapyrunner, it is lovely that you and dad are able to share these moments. I have suggested reading together to my dad, but his interest in anything is very limited at the moment. Books are something my dad and I have always had in common - he read so much to me when I was a child - and I would love to be able to still share this with him now. Maybe I'm going wrong with asking, and should perhaps just do it - we might both be pleasantly surprised xx