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Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer Diagnosis

jbn78
jbn78 Member Posts: 1 Member
in Caring for a Parent
My dad who is an incredibly healthy 75 year old (exercises, good weight, good diet, social, optimist) was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease two months ago. Right now he is in the mild cognitive phase. Does anyone have someone in their life who has both? I'm trying to grasp any idea of the timeline here of his decline. I assume having both is worse? Or maybe it's the same timeline as having Alzheimer's Disease? He's been taking 10 mg of Donepezil.
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  • easy23
    easy23 Member Posts: 359
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/75683/vascular-dementia-and-alzheimer-diagnosis

    My husband, who is 72, has vascular dementia and alzheimer's. He showed memory loss in Feb 2018 and was diagnosed in December 2018 after a bike accident. The progression has moved right along through the years and his physical health has deteriorated along with the memory problems and delusions.

    I had to place him in MC in Sept 2024 and moved him to a nursing home in July 2025, since he needed a higher level of care. Right now he is stage 7 and is on hospice. I would say his progression followed the Alzheimer's timeline.

    I suggest you come here often and learn as much as you can. It has been a lifeline for me!

  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 1,754
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    edited March 31

    Welcome. That is the big question no one really has the answer for. My mom has just vascular dementia. She is stage 4. We were told to expect progression to move in steps vs the gradual decline you see in Alzheimer’s. We we told an average life expectancy of 4 to 5 years from diagnosis. Mom is 80 with diabetes, high blood pressure, edema, kidney problems and never had a desire to eat healthy or exercise. It’s been three years since she was diagnosed and there has been almost no progression. I hate this expiation that things will move in steps. I feel like I am constantly on edge worried and wondering when I might have to rush to the hospital. I feel like I’m living with an anvil over my head. I think there was someone here with a loved one with vascular dementia that has has it for 15 years. Others say there has been a huge progression in just the year since diagnosis. I think you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. But then what is the best? It can’t possibly be 15 years of suffering.

  • SusanB-dil
    SusanB-dil Member Posts: 734
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    Hi jbn78 - welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason.

    Same here - MIL has both. Agreeing with H1235 - it is difficult to know any type of timeline. And "If you've met one person with dementia, you've met one person with dementia" because each person is so different, as is progression. MIL will plateau for a while, then due to vascular, have a TIA (mini-stroke kind'a) and take 3 steps down and 1 step back. At times, it is 2 steps back up, although not lately. It has already been at least over 7 years and she is in late, late stage 5, into stage 6 per the DBAT scale.

    https://us.v-cdn.net/6037576/uploads/B0XGDF5TALMA/dbat-287-29-281-29.pdf

  • katiedad1951
    katiedad1951 Member Posts: 4
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    My dad is the same age 75 and healthy as can be. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s this past year, he’s still early on but it’s progressing. He doesn’t have the vascular dementia but he is also taking the 10mg of Donezepil. Not sure if it’s working or not, hard to tell. It’s heartbreaking . From the day I found out I feel like I’m grieving my dad everyday while he’s still very much here. I am and will be his caretaker. It’s rough, but I’m here for you if you want to chat. Looking for support myself 💜

  • JulietteBee
    JulietteBee Member Posts: 431
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    edited April 1

    Hi there! Welcome to the site no one ever wanted to be a member of.

    My mom started showing cognition decline over the past 3-5 years. In 2024, after I pushed and pushed, her PCP finally did an MMSE in Dec which confirmed she had Dementia. MRI, June 2025, showed it was Vascular Dementia. Imaging showed severe whiteout. Neurogist figured she had more than 1 type. In Feb 2026, labs confirmed she has Alzheimers as well.

    None of her doctors will commit to giving me a timeline. All they will say is that she has "SEVERE" disease. She showtimes very well and maintains a high cognitive reserve, most likely attributable to her being an RN.

    Having both is in fact, bad. However, questions of how and when seem as if they will remain unanswered.

    Come often! Ask questions! Vent! Most importantly, get all legalities taken care of so that you will be able to be mom's voice when she is unable to speak for herself.😢

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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