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Vascular Dementia: Understanding and Managing the JourneyThursday, January 9, 2025
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Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, following Alzheimer’s disease. It is caused by reduced oxygen flow to the brain, often due to a diseased vascular system that prevents full blood flow. The most typical cause of vascular dementia is a stroke.
Onset and DevelopmentVascular dementia can come on suddenly or develop gradually. A sudden onset typically follows a major stroke or surgery. Gradual development can occur if someone experiences mini-strokes known as TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attacks). These TIAs may be small enough to only be discernible by medical imaging, but their cumulative effect is reduced blood flow to the brain. TIAs can also be a warning sign for a major stroke, making it crucial to reduce further risk factors to prevent a full stroke.
Risk FactorsThe risk factors for vascular dementia overlap with those for stroke and heart disease. Preventing a stroke is the number one way to reduce your risk for vascular dementia. The following risk factors increase the likelihood of a stroke and the possibility of vascular dementia:
PreventionMany of the risk factors listed above are lifestyle factors that can be adjusted. The recommended health measures to prevent heart attacks and strokes are the same measures recommended to prevent vascular dementia. What is good for the heart is also good for the brain! To maintain your best cardiovascular health and prevent vascular dementia, be sure to:
SymptomsThe symptoms of vascular dementia depend on the area of the brain deprived of oxygen. Vascular dementia can present quite differently in different patients depending on where the stroke or TIA occurred. Many symptoms of vascular dementia overlap with those of Alzheimer’s disease, including memory loss, difficulty with thinking and reasoning, and personality and mood changes.
Distinctive Symptom: AphasiaA symptom more distinct to vascular dementia is aphasia. If oxygen deprivation occurs in the area of the brain that controls language, the result can be aphasia. Aphasia can be either expressive or receptive. Expressive aphasia is when someone knows what they want to say but cannot find the words or the words become jumbled. Receptive aphasia is when someone has difficulty interpreting language and struggles to understand what others are saying.
Success TipsSupporting Someone with Aphasia: Supporting someone with aphasia requires patience. Allow more time for communication and slow down your speaking. Speak in short, clear sentences. If someone has expressive aphasia, do not assume they also have receptive aphasia. Their ability to respond in a manner you can comprehend does not always reflect their ability to understand you. Language does not reflect comprehension!
Non-Verbal Communication: Non-verbal communication becomes more important than ever as someone with aphasia may depend on non-verbal cues for comprehension. Facial expressions, body language, and hand gestures can all be helpful.
Professional Caregiver Support: A professional caregiver can provide the patient and deliberate communication required to help someone with aphasia express themselves. At Warm Embrace, caregiving is about so much more than just providing necessary care; it is about helping each client do their best and have the most fulfilling day possible. For clients with aphasia, this includes helping them communicate their wishes and ensuring their preferences are respected and followed. If your loved one has vascular dementia and is experiencing aphasia, contact us to put the best support in place. |
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Lissette Mairena Wong 36 January 13, 2025 |
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Chloe Hamilton 121 January 9, 2025 |
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Avery Hamilton 4 June 7, 2018 |
