Vascular Dementia and "old guy brain"
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Anonymous
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My dad was had a ton of different, seemingly unrelated health problems the last few years. He's almost 77. One of his health issues led to an MRI, and on the MRI report (which I saw, as I have access to all his records) it was noted "moderate vascular dementia".
His GP, who ordered the MRI, told my dad and my mom that that just meant "old guy brain" and nothing more. My dad definitely has symptoms of dementia (confusion, getting lost in unfamiliar places, mixing up words, balance issues), but is able to get away with not seeking any better care because my mom takes care of him and he doesn't really do anything. He has reported to me that "most days" he can "empty the dishwasher in the morning" - and that's a good day. He otherwise just watches TV. They leave the house a few times a week to go to a store, my mom drives and stays with him, and that's pretty much it. I'm pretty frustrated he wasn't referred to a neurologist. I also think his GP is terrible, as he (the doctor!) was one of those "covid isn't real" and "vaccinations are a hoax" kind of guys during the pandemic. Thoughts? Anyone have experience with this? I don't want to push for him to see a neurologist if the answer is just to maintain a decent quality of life until you can't, because he IS maintaining a decent quality of life (and denial) thanks to my mom (who also is in denial, but will take care of him nonetheless). |
Anonymous
| Please just make an appointment for your dad with your own GP or just another one that comes recommended by your dad's neighbors or something. Let him or her refer your dad to a neurologist. Take that first step now anyway. |
Anonymous
| Just take the CD of the MRI to the neurologist. Do you need a referral? Vascular dementia is very dangerous. You should also see an internist with your dad. |
Anonymous
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Get the neuropsych eval. If nothing else it is a baseline for his current condition and decline over the next several years.
The result from my dad's eval was vascular dementia, and even once you have the diagnosis there is nothing you can really do but watch and wait. It was helpful to rule out Alzheimers or other degenerative diseases, but you already have the MRI for that. Maybe it will help your mom to confront the issue if it's an actual diagnosis? Overall I don't think it will change the status quo, but it could better prepare you for the future. |
Anonymous
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I don’t know that it is worth doing anything. There is no treatment for vascular dementia. He is 77. This is only going to end one way.
The only question is whether you want to risk your relationship with your parents in pursuit of some illusory holy grail… |
Anonymous
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Read up on dementia.
My Mom has dementia. My understanding is there is no treatment. There are a couple of drugs that maybe get you 5% improvement but do not slow down the decline. Mom has been on those. It sounds like your parents are getting by and his dementia is very mild. There is a case to let them coast along. All the neurologist did was have my Mom draw the different times on a clock at each visit to monitor decline. These visits were really upsetting to Mom. |
Anonymous
| My mom had vascular dementia and tried aricept and I think it helped for 2-3 months. |
Anonymous
This makes no sense to me. You mom and dad are muddling through right now and seem happy with the way things are. If your dad has vascular dementia, there's no cure so why agitate him with diagnosis and doctor's appointments? Sounds like this would decrease your parents' happiness. Also sounds like doctor was being kind with "old guy brain" metaphor. Join the club - many of us here are waiting in the wings for the moment our parents need a swift rescue. Do your research on memory care and, in the short term, look for an agency to supply helpers who could come into your parents' home to spell your mom. Until then, ask your mom what you can do to support her. |
Anonymous
| I took my mom to a few appointments with a neurologist for her dementia but when we found out there was really nothing they could do I stopped. The testing was tough for her and I felt the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze. |
Anonymous
| To be honest, just sitting around watching tv all day will destroy your brain. I don't think it's a medical issue, it's a lifestyle issue. |
Anonymous
Sure. |
Anonymous
You’re funny. |
Anonymous
| Because there isn't anything that can be done, what would be the benefit of a neurologist? This is a real question, not a snarky one. Would seeing a neurologist help OP's father access different supports down the road? Is tracking the decline helpful? Or rather, does the helpfulness outweigh the stress and sadness of it? |
Anonymous
| Don't agitate him with diagnosis and doctor's appointments. Nothing can be done. |
Anonymous
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Some of the comments here are shocking and exhibit serious ignorance of causes of vascular dementia.
This is a type of dementia caused by lack of blood flow to the brain. It can happen following stroke, but in the absence of stroke, it is absolutely relevant that your dad sits on his rear end all day watching television and does nothing more challenging that emptying the dishwasher. If he’s actually concerned and wants to do something about it, give him the information readily available online at reputable medical websites that lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, can prevent or in his case slow the advance of this condition. Does he smoke? Does he have high BP? Does he have metabolic disorder or prediabetes or diabetes? All of these are risk factors for vascular dementia, as is advancing age. I’m sure his balance issues contribute to his lack of activity - this is common in elders who develop fear of falling and subsequently sit all day which is terrible for brain health. Depending on what his various health issues are, he should be able to increase his activity levels and slow the advance of the dementia. He needs to get off his rear for part of every hour of the waking day. He needs to get fit again and yes, it is absolutely possible at his age. Give him this link and a means to access it if they don’t already have a device to tap into YouTube: https://www.bobandbrad.com/ He can start with chair exercises and work his way from there to regular walks with your mom. He *can* improve his health, *IF* he wants to. ~ elder caregiver |