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Originally Posted by mmaddog
Glossary
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia refers to dementia that is caused by cerebrovascular disease (i.e., damage to the body's heart, lungs and/or blood vessels). It may be caused by a single stroke or aneurysm or by a series of smaller strokes or aneurysms (multi-infarct dementia).
Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia, after Alzheimer's disease. It is different from Alzheimer's in that symptoms may arise suddenly (e.g., after a stroke), whereas Alzheimer's tends to develop slowly, over years. Symptoms may include confusion and recent memory problems, but also getting lost in familiar places, trouble with incontinence, difficulty handling money, and emotional problems such as inappropriate laughing or crying.
The most important risk factor for vascular dementia is high blood pressure (which increases risk for strokes overall). It is rare for someone without high blood pressure to develop vascular dementia.
While damage from previous strokes cannot be reversed, the individual can be treated to reduce the risk of further strokes. Most of the risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol) can all be controlled with proper diet, good health habits, and medication. Doctors also sometimes prescribe aspirin, which helps thin the blood and prevent clots that may cause further strokes.
Tim:
Thanks for the kind words.....
At this point the Dr. has said that due to the numerus strokes she has had, and the blockage of the blood vessels leading to the brain, part of her brain has atrophied. We have not been given a positive outlook, and the last couple of days that I have spent with her have been a struggle. She is fine in the AM, but it is a struggle in the afternoon and evening, as her brain gets "worn out" and her personality changes. It's real tough having someone you love get mad at you and take out their frustrations on you. She doesn't have anyone else in the family close to her, so I am her outlet. She has been living in an Assisted Living Center up until the most recent strokes, but now I have to place her in a full-time Nursing Home atmosphere...and it hurts to have to do it.
mmaddog
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It's rough that you have to be the point guy. That's a job that will never get any easier.
I was in another state when my grandmother was going, so I saw her briefly a couple of times a year. She was never hostile - she just didn't know who anybody was. At first, she could still sense that I somehow belonged to her, but later, there was no recognition at all. The last time I saw her alive she was playing with a doll and babbling like an infant. I walked out of the nursing home, sat in my car and fucking bawled. I never saw her alive again, but it didn't matter. I felt bad, but my uncle told me that I'd feel worse if I visited, and he was right.