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My sister was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia some months ago. She gave up going to dr's a few years ago, even though she's had 4 strokes (that we know of), would not get treated for suspected breast Cancer until 1 year after she was asked to get a biopsy. She ended up being hospitalized after having her first stroke, which was accompanied by sepsis, as well as a heart attack. About 2 wks. after the 1st stoke, she had another. When she finally decided to go for her biopsy, the cancer had metastasized to her entire reproductive system.Her son and I were able to get her to chemo, radiation, surgeries, drs' appointments, etc. She was declared to be in remission after going through all of that.She was having issues with medications. Her medicine dosages were increased, which made her body reject the meds altogether. A few years ago, she completely stopped taking ANY medicines, refused treatment.A few months ago, my sister had another heart attack, blood pressure was at stroke level, and her kidneys were beginning to fail. With all that, we were told she'd had seizure activity as well.I noticed, a year or so ago, she started having problems remembering how to use her tv remote, then problems with using her phone. By the end of last year, we had to keep repeating pretty much everything we said to her.Now, she's in a Senior Living facility, in hospice care. She doesn't talk, barely eats (on pureed foods), and has "Sundowners", so she's usually heavily drugged because of her escape attempts.I know this is rambling. I'm very sorry for that. But I love n miss my sister! I don't know how to help her (or even IF I can). I hate seeing her go through all of this! What should we expect? What can we do???

What to expect?
She will continue to decline.
With Vascular Dementia the declines can be very rapid.
She will probably have a major stroke that will kill her.

What can you do?
Be there for her as much as you can.
Tell her that you love her
Tell her that you will miss her.
Tell her that you and her son will miss her but you will be alright, you will take care of each other.
Tell her it is ok to go when she is ready.

Hold her hand, talk to her
I am sorry
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Reply to Grandma1954
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SistersLove2 Sep 29, 2024
I was afraid she was nearing the end of this. She does not open her eyes, rarely, if ever speaks anymore, has issues swallowing (forgets?) water/saliva in her mouth. Her food is now pureed, but she usually won't (can't?) eat it. They offer the "Boost"-type drinks to help her with nutrients.
She's been in hospice care since this past July.
We JUST buried our eldest sister who'd lost her battle with Parkinson's. These diseases are horrid!!!
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I expect she has multi infarct dementia, which falls under the vascular dementia umbrella. Simply put each and every heart attack and stroke leaves a scar on the brain and the cumulative effects tend to go unnoticed until something tumbles you over the divide. Vascular dementia is managed by managing the underlying health conditions, the damage is not reversible although some people can reach a plateau and remain stable for long periods of time. Your sister's health is precarious for many reasons and I'm afraid she may be very near the end of it, aspiration pneumonia is what took my mother and is a very common cause of death in those with end stage dementia.
The articles I'm linking are about Alzheimer's but I think they also pertain to other forms of dementia

https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Progression-Late-Stage-Alzheimer-Society.pdf

https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Progression-End-of-Life-Alzheimer-Society-2023.pdf
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Reply to cwillie
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SistersLove2 Sep 29, 2024
Thank you so much.
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https://www.agingcare.com/topics/296/vascular-dementia

"How long do you live with vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia – around five years. This is lower than the average for Alzheimer's mostly because someone with vascular dementia is more likely to die from a stroke or heart attack than from the dementia itself."

Source: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/how-dementia-progresses/later-stages-dementia#:~:text=Vascular%20dementia%20%E2%80%93%20around%20five%20years,Lewy%20bodies%E2%80%93%20about%20six%20years.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378798

I'm so very sorry for your sister's awful health journey. May she receive the best care possible and that her family receives peace in their hearts that they're doing the best they can for her.
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Reply to Geaton777
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SistersLove2 Sep 29, 2024
Thank you.
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