My grandad has recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia. 4 months ago he seemed fine and then within 3 months he is unable to walk, dress, fed, toilet or clean himself. I have been trying to read up on the condition with most articles stating 4-5years of life after diagnosis. Obviously no one can tell me actually when he will pass its impossible to know, but will he have possibly up to five years like this or has he unfortunately skipped a few stages and we are on the last stretch? I know I might sound harsh but my nan is really struggling with everything that's happened and it's breaking her heart as he doesn't even know who she is and in a way I can't help but feel it may be better for both of them if he was in the latter stages.
Help please I have questions
- Thread starter Karrie-Anne
- Start date
Hello @Karrie-Anne, welcome to the forum, which I hope you will find to be a friendly and supportive place.
Unfortunately timeframes are impossible with dementia as every case differs and statistics may only be the roughest of guides as so much depends on a persons age, general health etc. etc.
This downturn is rapid and although not unknown in its speed it would make one think that it may be caused by something like a UTI or other infection as these can have serious consequence for a person with dementia. It may be worth having a check done as full or partial return to a pre existing state can take place when an infection is cured.
Unfortunately timeframes are impossible with dementia as every case differs and statistics may only be the roughest of guides as so much depends on a persons age, general health etc. etc.
This downturn is rapid and although not unknown in its speed it would make one think that it may be caused by something like a UTI or other infection as these can have serious consequence for a person with dementia. It may be worth having a check done as full or partial return to a pre existing state can take place when an infection is cured.
By the way @Karrie-Anne, you may be interested in looking at some of the resources of the site.
Here’s a link to the AS Publications list https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets-full-list
Here’s another link to a section where you can do a post code check for support services in your area https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
Finally, here’s a link to the specific Factsheet about a needs assessment to which you are entitled
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites...assessment_for_care_in_support_in_england.pdf
I hope some of these are of use to you.
Here’s a link to the AS Publications list https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets-full-list
Here’s another link to a section where you can do a post code check for support services in your area https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
Finally, here’s a link to the specific Factsheet about a needs assessment to which you are entitled
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites...assessment_for_care_in_support_in_england.pdf
I hope some of these are of use to you.
Hi karrie-Anne
This link helps to explain the various stages which may give you a boit more of an idea. It is aimed at Alzheimers but may still be helpful
https://www.alzinfo.org/understand-alzheimers/clinical-stages-of-alzheimers/
This link helps to explain the various stages which may give you a boit more of an idea. It is aimed at Alzheimers but may still be helpful
https://www.alzinfo.org/understand-alzheimers/clinical-stages-of-alzheimers/
It definitely needs checking out when there's any sudden deterioration like that. I think vascular dementia has a tendency to progress in what appear as quite sudden (and sometimes initially severe) changes, rather than the slower, steadier rate of decline that might be expected with "typical" Alzheimer's disease (if there's really any such thing!). With vascular dementia, deterioration can be due to one or a series of mini strokes, and the effects will depend on the part of the brain affected. The person will often, (but not always) over a few weeks, recover to a certain extent - but not to where they were before. ItsI like going down three steps and back up two. It will take longer, but eventually you will reach the bottom step!
