Vascular dementia – around five years. This is lower than the average for Alzheimer's mostly because someone with vascular dementia is more likely to die from a stroke or heart attack than from the dementia itself. Dementia with Lewy bodies– about six years.
On average, people with vascular dementia live for around five years after symptoms begin, less than the average for Alzheimer's disease. Because vascular dementia shares many of the same risk factors as heart attack and stroke, in many cases, the person's death will be caused by a stroke or heart attack.
However, each stage of dementia lasts an average of two years. It's important to always keep in mind that each person will progress on their own timeline because there are numerous factors involved.
As a person's vascular dementia progresses, they may begin to behave in ways that seem out of character. For example, they may become more agitated or aggressive, or have sleep problems. They may also act in ways that others find embarrassing or difficult to understand.
Vascular dementia will usually get worse over time. This can happen in sudden steps, with periods in between where the symptoms do not change much, but it's difficult to predict when this will happen. Home-based help will usually be needed, and some people will eventually need care in a nursing home.
Factors that increase your risk of heart disease and stroke — including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking — also raise your vascular dementia risk. Controlling these factors may help lower your chances of developing vascular dementia.
Eventually, untreated vascular dementia usually ends in death from stroke, heart disease, or infection. Although vascular dementia is a serious condition, catching it early and preventing further damage are the best medicine.
It is quite common for a person with dementia, especially in the later stages, to spend a lot of their time sleeping – both during the day and night. This can sometimes be distressing for the person's family and friends, as they may worry that something is wrong.
Summary. Vascular dementia results from impaired blood flow to the brain and is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. A host of cognitive and neurological impairments accompany vascular dementia, including memory impairment and trouble with coordination such as walking and balancing.
Aspiration and infections
The brain controls our ability to co-ordinate swallowing and breathing. In end-stage dementia, this skill is lost. Your loved one may become dehydrated, or they may inhale food or fluids which can lead to choking and chest infections called aspiration pneumonias. These can be life-threatening.
Vascular dementia is a progressive disease that has no cure, but the rate at which the disease progresses can vary. Some people with vascular dementia may eventually need a high level of care due to the loss of mental and physical abilities.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
Vascular dementia has been associated with slightly higher pain prevalences, probably because of the possibility that the brain white matter lesions are the cause of central pain.
For example, a sudden deterioration or change may be a sign that an infection has led to delirium. Or it may suggest that someone has had a stroke. A stroke is particularly common in some kinds of vascular dementia and may cause the condition to get worse in a series of 'steps'.
medicines such as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel to reduce the risk of blood clots and further strokes. anticoagulant medicines, such as warfarin, which can also reduce the risk of blood clots and further strokes.
On average, people with vascular dementia will progress faster than those with Alzheimer's disease. There is some overlap in the symptoms of each disease, but each has a unique profile.
Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common during the middle stage and later stages.
The most common symptoms of vascular dementia during the early stages are: problems with planning or organising, making decisions or solving problems. difficulties following a series of steps (such as when cooking a meal) slower speed of thought.
Avoid asking too many open-ended questions about the past, as it could be stressful for a person with dementia if they can't remember the answer. While it might seem polite to ask somebody about their day, it's better to focus on what's happening in the present.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
Try to be clear and concise in your communications—repeating things as needed using the same words or message. Reduce extraneous noise and distractions when trying to communicate. Do not use confusing pronouns, such as he, she or it, but rather names and specific titles. Remember that all behavior has a purpose.