My Mom always dressed from head to toe like she was from royalty. Her mom taught her that at a young age. My Mom used to be very intelligent, sometimes too intelligent for her own good. My Mom was very independent. My husband died at her feet in 2015 and since that day, my Mom's mental status started to diminish. In 2017 we learned she had 3 mini strokes and her brain never fully recovered. This is what started the early onset dementia. She was still very active and would say I have dementia, it doesn't have me. Now I can't get that same enthusiasm out of her. The doctors seem to think she has a long life still ahead of her since it was caught early. I see it differently. It is so confusing to me and I am not sure I like the way things are going with her. I need some positive ways to handle this and get a little bit of my Mommy back.
I'm no expert, but, I might explore if she is depressed and can have her mood lifted with meds or some other therapy. Or, her disinterest could be a progression of her condition. I'd read a lot on dementia and how it causes the patient certain symptoms, such as, they may not remember how to do basic things like work remote or make a sandwich, they may forget words, not be able to keep up in conversations, forget faces, feel like they are dreaming, have poor balance, fear falling, have confusion, be frightened, AND a biggie is lose initiative. Losing initiative is a biggie because, it may seem that the patient just isn't interested in doing something, but, it's not intentional on their part. It's due to the brain not having the normal ability to cause action. So, the patient will see a book, but, have no initiative to pick it up. See a tv, but, have no initiative to turn it on, etc. So, the patient needs guidance and constant supervision to be able to enjoy activities. It's not their refusing to do things, it's their lack of stimulation from the brain. I hope you can figure out what's going on with her.
My Mom came to live with me Nov 2014 by Sept 2017 she had passed. We think a head wound from a fall hastened her Dementia. (There were subtle signs before) That was in Aug 2011. So Moms journey was about 6 yrs. I have read were this is normal for Dementia patients. Unlike ALZ who live 10 yrs or more which is what my Gmom and Aunt did.
The brain dies little by little. Starting with shortterm memory. My Mom was a reader and lost that ability. She never played games, puzzles, or crafts. Can't be taught once u lose shortterm. They can be in one stage for awhile another they go thru faster. Stages overlap. It can happen overnight. There is no ryhmn or reason. Just have to go with the flow. Strokes will hasn't its progression.
Its going to be hard to hold her attention because her mind is all over the place. She will ask u something and before u can answer her mind is somewhere else. My DH would get upset at me because Mom would get started and I wouldn't answer her. Why, because she was just rambling.
In any case, DO report this to her main physician. I'm only guessing, and there could be all kinds of other things that need to be considered.
But meanwhile... I'm sure you already know that in vascular dementia, lost brain functions are usually gone for good. I'm hoping that if your mother is depressed, her mood can be improved; but if it should turn out that there has been deterioration in her dementia then you'll feel better if you can adjust to what matters in your mother's life and your care of her. There will still be nice things to do and share, but maybe not the same as before. I know it's very hard to watch - I still tear up thinking about crosswords - but she's still in there somewhere. Hugs to you.