Hi Garage Dragon,
My Mum was diagnosed with vascular dementia last year. She was also exhibiting signs of Korsakoff's (she was alcohol dependent) as she 'confabulated;' convincing hospital staff that she was on holiday and her parents were still alive. However, this appears to be part of her vascular dementia, as it has not reduced despite her being tee-total now.
Also, unlike Alzheimer's, her deterioration is in stages; she can be stable for months and then appears to become more immobile, confused and reliant on carers. This apparently, is the path that vascular dementia takes. CT scans of Mum's brain have shown multiple small infarcts (which have caused minor strokes) throughout her lobes. This is why a definitive diagnosis of vascular dementia was given.
Was diagnosis important to me? Not really. I knew Mum was deteriorating and she needed reassurance, love and care. I was also told that it was irreversible which helped me to make some long-term decisions on her welfare. It did not really provide me with any closure, nor has it. Every day brings new challenges and I seem to learn 'on the job.' Googling did me absolutely no good at all; my Mum is neither typical or atypical of symptoms. Her personality affects her symptoms and vice-versa. Care is very much in the 'here and now' as nothing can be certain. Mum 'ploughs her own furrow' so to speak.
I don't think my post will help really, but please know that the support you will get here is worth so much. XXX
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