Vascular Dementia after stroke

KimS1958

Anyone with experience or timeline of lifespan.  Had stroke 2009 at age 55.  Now 12 years later has vascular dementia.  More frequent falls, no interests watches TV all day.  Problems with swallowing, picking at himself etc.  Short term memory getting worse.  Not sure how to cope, was diagnosed with VD in 2018

Callie in Boston

My mom had this.  I think overall she lived for 7 years or so, but I am sure it varies.  The last 18 months we had her in a board and care that took good care of her.  Her brain continued to deteriorate in the typical way VD does - stable for awhile then a big drop.  We kept her in a wheelchair for safety, she really didn't want to walk anymore.  

I am sorry for your situation, I know it is difficult.

Rescue mom

My mom had a serious stroke, recovered with lots of rehab, then got vascular dementia about 12-14 years later.  (I wasn’t sure what you were asking, and still not entirely, but…)

She lived more than 10 years with the VD. Many live less, some live longer, that’s unpredictable. Nobody can say, which may be why so few responses.

She was in a facility that cared for dementia patients; the VD progressed and she got worse, as is typical, so she was cared for as the condition demands. She obviously needed much more care as she got worse, as with all dementias. I could not provide that kind of 24/7 care (no sibs or family left) so placement was required. It’s just hard.

CateM

My Gram has VD and her doctor how believes she has Alzheimers also.  She was diagnosed about 10 years ago but was relatively good until about 3 years ago as her memory got worse. Finally about 2 years ago she was getting combative and her mobility deteriorated. Last summer she was hospitalized after a major episode and her neurologist put her on Seroquel. We have 24 by 7 care for her now, She goes through better and worse periods of time. She just came off a cycle where she was sleeping almost 20 hours a day and was not eating much. She's now sleeping less - awake a good part of the day, is eating better, and has a few feisty moments a day.  The seroquel has helped and we have had Lorazepam as needed which we have not had to use the past few months. Used it for the first time in months yesterday. 

But I think it's all a very similar pattern to others. She suffers a decline seems to bounce back a bit and the pattern continues. She still walks with a walker very short distances but is VERY unsteady so we walk behindor next to her; If she's taken out of her apartment she's in a wheelchair now - no longer walking.

Gram is now 96 and physically despite her age she's in decent health. Aside from her VD of course. No one can provide a timetable because each person is different. Just the way it is sadly.