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New Member - First Post

Posted by ljchr @ljchr, Oct 8 7:37pm

My name is Linda. My husband was diagnosed with MCI May, 2021. He was later diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and just dropped to Stage 5 recently. I have been a member of the Alzheimer's discussion forum for several years but just learned about this forum from Bill2001's videos I watched over the weekend. I am looking forward to the support from the member's experience and knowledge. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

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baj | @baj | Oct 12 12:37am
In reply to @labrown "@baj Has your husband had a sleep study performed? He may have sleep apnea which could..." + (show)
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@baj Has your husband had a sleep study performed? He may have sleep apnea which could be causing his being so tired. My husband was tested after his dementia diagnosis. He now sleeps nightly with his CPAP machine and head mask on and it has made a tremendous difference. He sleeps soundly through the night and wakes up refreshed.

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@labrown, it is now on the list - thank you.

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phx611 | @phx611 | Oct 13 3:01pm

My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He went fast. I recall he fell a couple of times. It wasn't because he was dizzy or tripped, he said that his legs just wouldn't support him - they just gave out on him. It was extremely intermittent. I wish I would have known that was a symptom of dementia (among other things) but I didn't realize it.

My father had a few small strokes, he did not realize it at the time and I didn't realize it until I went to the doctor's visit with him. His brain went fairly quickly after that but at least he had the wherewithal to give me his car keys and try to at least maintain his muscle strength.

It is difficult. There is nothing you can really do about it except make them comfortable. My father was basically a gentle soul but he would get scared because he had the hallucinations at times. It doesn't really get any easier, at least n my experience and with people with whom I have spoken about this topic.

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ljchr | @ljchr | Oct 13 8:38pm
In reply to @phx611 "My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He went fast. I recall he fell a couple..." + (show)
Profile picture for phx611 @phx611

My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He went fast. I recall he fell a couple of times. It wasn't because he was dizzy or tripped, he said that his legs just wouldn't support him - they just gave out on him. It was extremely intermittent. I wish I would have known that was a symptom of dementia (among other things) but I didn't realize it.

My father had a few small strokes, he did not realize it at the time and I didn't realize it until I went to the doctor's visit with him. His brain went fairly quickly after that but at least he had the wherewithal to give me his car keys and try to at least maintain his muscle strength.

It is difficult. There is nothing you can really do about it except make them comfortable. My father was basically a gentle soul but he would get scared because he had the hallucinations at times. It doesn't really get any easier, at least n my experience and with people with whom I have spoken about this topic.

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@phx611
Thank you for your response. And I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. It sounds like you took very good care of him and like you said - there is not a lot you can do for them other than show they are loved and make them comfortable. It is a dreaded disease that NEVER has a good ending and we have to strive to make the journey as good as possible for them and us.

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bclane | @bclane | Oct 24 10:02am

Welcome to the group! My husband also has vascular dementia after several TIAs and a bigger stroke. He was always athletic, and as a result, is still in fairly good shape for an 89-year-old. He's getting more and more stooped over, which maybe could be a result of the TIAs (don't really know), but he still can walk and do stairs. Doesn't know who I am at least half the time, but seems okay with my being here. Memory is bad and getting worse, including things like not knowing how to unlock the front door and sometimes even where the bathroom is—although he's not incontinent. He fits most of the description of Step 5, although his recognition of family and friends is fading fast. I've learned so much from reading what others have learned dealing with dementia, and I know you will, too.

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