My 92-year-old mother has always been negative, controlling, stubborn, etc. Alzheimer's runs in her family, including her mother. I know it has not been far from either of our minds. However, I realize I have been looking more for Alzheimer's without being aware of the difference between it and other dementias. There seems to be tons more info for Alzheimer's and how to deal with it than other types of dementia. I know as a caregiver there are some similarities, but I want to educate myself more on vascular dementia, which is proving to be challenging. Since vascular dementia is second only Alzheimer's in numbers, I am frustrated that it seems to be relegated to a footnote in articles and books.
Recent scans show that my mom has cerebral small vessel disease. Her father suffered from vascular dementia (many years ago, I barely remember his problems). From what I have learned so far, Mom definitely has mild cognitive impairment (moderate on bad days).
First, does anyone know of any books or articles focusing in detail on vascular dementia?
Second, Info on mild cognitive impairment helpful for caregivers (rather than written TO people with mild cognitive impairment or information on diagnosing)?
Third, information or personal experiences to help caregivers distinguish between challenging personalities just becoming more so with age, or cognitive impairment that is beyond their control?
And, yes, I know I may be overthinking this, but I have had to become an expert on every medical problem my mother has had so I might as well become one on this, too. And the more I recognize her actions as part of her physical disease, the more I am able to know when to push her to do things she needs to do or back off because there are limitations there and pushing will just cause frustration and anxiety.
Thanks!
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I'll include two of my old bookmarks you may find interesting reading
https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/neurology/parkinsons-disease-and-movement-disorders/vascular-parkinsonism
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/what-is-stroke/vascular-cognitive-impairment
From the literacy of your note to us I greatly fear that YOU are the expert here. I hope, for that reason, and for your literacy itself, that you stick around to help others.
As to your last question: (can you give me) "information or personal experiences to help caregivers distinguish between challenging personalities just becoming more so with age, or cognitive impairment that is beyond their control?" On that one I am not certain it even matters. We can't control their actions/outbursts/behaviors in EITHER case. While its a comfort to us to know, it doesn't much make a difference in their world or our own.
My brother was diagnosed by symptoms with probable early Lewy's Dementia before his death. He was SOOOO articulate HIMSELF about his symptoms, about the ways in which he saw his world "different" and he told me many times he wasn't glad to know where he was going, but was glad to know there was a reason for the changes in his world.
If your neuro-psyc/MDs can recommend anything let us know. I still, as an old retired RN remember when our elderly were dubbed SENILE and that was the end of it. Even Alzheimer's wasn't yet diagnosed or understood.
I sure do wish you well.