We are meeting with neurologist on 3/3, but primary care dr thinks she has vascular dementia, and so do I.
I see a lot of correlation on the internet between strokes and VaD.
Do they HAVE to go hand in hand?
I have not seen evidence of any strokes, or smaller TIA's...
My mom had this, and the degree of atrophy on her MRI was suprisingly severe; later on she had more definite large vessel stokes, mostly posterior circulation and had vision loss and aphasia from it. We had her on anti-platelet agents but she had some resistance to them, they felt it was too dangerous to use warfarin (Coumadin) and she absolutely would not take a healthier diet. We got a little better control of her diabetes but eventually nothing helped unclog things in her brain or her heart any more and we lost her a few years ago now. But, with this type of dementia rather than Alzheimer's, as bad as it was, she always recognized us and had long term memories to draw on...wish this was not happening to you, and I wish you a better time of it than we had!
Keeping someone informed of daily activities and directed helps them as they progress in dementia (though not always easy as many of us on AC know!).
I myself have had a ministroke and had zero sympthoms which is scary to think i had it unknown to me. they found 3 spots on the brain. This is from the stress of looking after mum and i am very worried that i may develope this "dementia" when im older.
Yes all the omegas lots of fresh air,give up smoking eat lots of antistroke foods,Blueberrys,oranges basically the same old same old eat healthy and get lots of oxigen to the brain.
I am know considering getting mum a "shrink" as she wont do as shes told and i cant do this anymore she wont listen to me and does what she likes? Im drained and can see this ending in her dying of a massive stroke or heart attack and soon as she does nothing to help herself. Diet and excercise can slow down the progression of this dementia but thats not going to happen thats why she would live longer in a NH where she would be monitored better than I can do.
Dementia and diabetes is incredibly dangerous i have to make sure shes taking the correct dosage of insulin if she takes it when im not here as she forgets it could kill her.
I am taking Krill Oil which i am finding quite good they also say virgin coconut oil a couple of tablespoons a day can stimulate brain cells.
What i fear the most is genetics both sides of my family have heart and strok ae issues BUT als or dementia is a first here with my mum as that is mainly down to her badly controlled diabetes so sad that this could have been avoided?
I still hope that its not too late for me have stopped smoking and eat all these foods that are good for the brain etc... but as my doc said you can do all this but stress can still cause a stroke? I need to find a solution now to mums care as the stress of looking after her could cause another stroke and i have to now think of my own health.
My mum had been on meds all her life which i find frightening her health issues could have easily been controlled with a good diet and excercise but she would never listen. Part of me is sad for her but another part is angry with her to have all this at 76yrs is just so sad when it could all have been avoided.
I am confused to this dementia as some people say they dont completly lose thier memory while others say they do? My mums short term is going but her longterm is better than mine?
Does anyone know just how this dementia progresses or is everyone different? My mums geriatrician said of all the dementias this one is the better one to get???
The stress of worry about my future consumes me. THAT is what consumes me. I gave up my career when Dominic, my 17 yr old, was THREE. That means I have no career. I have nothing. When she dies, yeah sure. I'll have the inheritance. If it isn't gone to ALF or Memory Care. She will hang on, let me tell you. She has grandpa's genes, and he lived to be 99, God bless him. I worry every day about tomorrow.
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