Vascular Dementia? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

AnnaKaren · 02-06-2006, 03:29 PM

My dad had blood tests (normal) and a CT scan of his head which showed a mini stroke sometime in the past affecting the front left side of his brain, I think the Dr. said. This is in line with what we have seen, since this part of the brain controls memory, judgement, etc. and all have been impaired.

So would this be considered vascular dementia? From what I have read the progression is slower, but this is not what I have seen. Dad has deteriorated so much since June - very noticable. Or could it be a vascular/Alz. combination ?

Today's problem was small - dad called furnace repair due to blowing cold air. Naturally he had the air conditioning on as he had a couple times in the past. This time I wasn't there to stop him from calling the repairman. Oh well, this is nothing compared to some of the other problems he's created for nothing.

Lately he hasn't been as mad at me as he usually is; I don't know why. I figure it's a calm before the next major storm. I'm still trying to get him into the Sr. Living place.

This board is so helpful - thank you all for being there.

Anna

angel_bear · 02-06-2006, 08:15 PM

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

From my research with my ex-charge I found out this:

Causes can be: high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the everybody progress's differently. Some symptoms may be similar to other types of dementia. However, some people with vascular dementia may particularly experience:

Problems concentrating and communicating, Depression, symptoms of stroke, memory problems (although this may not be the first symptom) , they may seem stable but then 'step down' a level .. and may stay static there for a while, and step down again. Shock, changes, illness can exacerbate a step down, seizures, time of really bad confusion.

and I found my ex-charge had these symptoms:

Hallucinations (seeing things that do not exist)
Delusions (believing things that are not true)
‘Wandering’ and getting lost
Physical or verbal aggression
Restlessness
Incontinence.

Yet, NOTHING showed up on any scans!! Go figure!!

Anyway, if you have a diagnosis of mixed dementia it means that Alzheimer’s disease, as well as stroke or small vessel disease, may have caused damage to the brain.

My only suggestions are make sure all medications are taken properly, at the right time .... it's imperative to your and their health and well being that they be kept in a routine. Minimise smoking and alcohol intake, and keep an eye on them ... they are prone to cross-infections (hygiene tends to get forgotten) and try and get some regular exercise. (increased circulation = oxygen to the brain) .... although this isn't proven to help, it doesn't hurt.

It's rotten .. it's really really rotten, but I'm glad you care.

Cheers
Sally

cyt · 02-06-2006, 10:06 PM

My FIL, who is 86 now, has dementia caused by mini strokes. They had to do an MRI to finally see where he had them. His memory is shot. He can't make new memories. He still has good days and then not so good and then down right horrible! But he is living in a senior apt. complex, which has been a great blessing. Hope you can get him in ASAP. It's really a life saver, and not that expensive where we live. Oh, they do have the nicer ones, but his will do fine for him - it's a studio apt. He gets to eat lunch there and has his laundry done and apt. cleaned. They have a van that takes them shopping too. Good luck and keep us posted. Let me know if you want further details on his dementia.....I'm going to bed right now......later, C

AnnaKaren · 02-07-2006, 09:23 AM

Thank you for the replies. I would like to hear more about your grandfather, C. My dad and I have looked at a Sr. Community Assisted Living place which is really nice, even has a pool, van to go places, etc. BUT how to get him to move? I am trying, not using too much pressure, but he doesn't want to leave his home of 40+ years. Other days he thinks the community is a great place...

I also need to sell the house (ideally with him already moved), because he thinks he can get double what it's actually worth. He thinks he can leave everything in the house as an extra incentive; all his junk which I need to go through.

I know strokes are more likely, but this is an old mini stroke, may have happened years ago... Just any more general info on your grandfather's behavior and how did you get him to actually move?
Anna

victorino545 · 02-07-2006, 06:59 PM

My husband (56) also has vascular dementia from mini strokes. They told us they are not new ones (they can only tell if they were in the last year). He went down hill fast. Ended up in the hospital 3 times before they got a diagnosis. He was confused, agitated, hallucinating, couldn't remember how long he had been there, could not dial a phone or remember his phone number, was wondering at night, etc. They got him on medication and it has worked wonders. He now is functioning pretty much on his own with some reminders and assistance from me. He still has hard time focusing, keeping interested in anything, concentration, doing small tasks, and some problems with memories. He no longer is able to do the finances. It took about 5 months for all of this to come about. He is on Reminyl and Ambilfy. The reminyl is for his memory and confusion and ambilfy is for his hallucinations and agitation. He is much more mellow and agreeable now. I don't think he could live on his own as he still forgets to take his medication and has hard time filling his weekly pill planner. But I think if he had to he could do well in an assisted type living. The doctor has said, they can not predict how fast this will progress, hope with the medications that it will slow it down. I would make sure your dad has a neuroligist and see if there is any medication that would be good for him. The sooner the better. I would be happy to help with any other questions you might have.
Diane