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Vascular Dementia

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Our carers have experience working with and supporting people living with vascular dementia. They're able to respond and adapt the way they deal with the disease as it progresses. Below is a short guide giving you an overview of vascular dementia. If we can help in any way contact us at 0208 886 0686 or use one of the forms to schedule a callback.

Previous conditions covered:

Outline

Vascular dementia is a form of dementia. It is caused when the flow of blood to the brain is reduced. In the UK currently around 150,000 are living with vascular dementia.

Dementia is a confusing term, it's often confused with Alzheimer's disease and other diseases. Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a set of different symptoms. It is caused when the brain is physically damaged by diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is one of many types of dementia.

Vascular dementia is progressive which means it usually gets worse over time. It can start at different speeds and it's progression is often step like. 

Symptoms

There are many different symptoms related to vascular dementia such as feeling confused or becoming disorientated. Other symptoms include changes in behaviour and or mood, difficulties with understanding and with concentration. There can also be physical difficulties with mobility such as walking and balance. 

Many people who are living with vascular dementia may also have a mixed dementia and also live with Alzheimer's disease, symptoms can include  difficulties with language and with memory. 

A person living with vascular dementia may find it difficult to carry out everyday tasks and may need a level of home care support or support from family members.  

Care

There isn't currently a cure for vascular dementia and it is progressive although it is possible to slow down and also to live well the disease. Lifestyle choices such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthily, stopping smoking, doing exercise, taking medication as recommended by a GP and reducing alcohol consumption can help. Therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological therapies can also help. 

We are a dementia friendly organisation and we deliver the Alzheimer's Society's free 45 minute long Dementia Friends information session. This session takes a very positive view of dealing with dementia. One of it's key 5 messages is that it is possible to live well with dementia. We also strongly align to one of the key elements of the campaign to change the way people talk about dementia and changing from the use of the term 'dementia sufferer' to 'person living with dementia'. We regularly deliver the free Dementia Friends session and can also deliver it 1:1 to family members or to whole family groups. 

The products, support and activities below are from the guide on dementia, this support is also relevant for people living with vascular dementia.

There are lots of support, activities and therapies that can help a person living with dementia to live well. 

Lots of products exist that can assist in daily life such as anti-spill mugs, user-friendly utensils, talking or written word clocks, pill boxes and user-friendly phones. There are also new technologies incorporating the internet of things which monitor the use and also non-use of doors and electrical appliances. 

Many forms of cognitive therapies exist also that can aid a person's mind and keep them independent and living well. Local services and activities that provide singing and meet-ups providing enjoyment, stimulation and social interaction are often hugely valuable and worth looking into also.