What is Vascular Dementia? Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF VASCULAR DEMENTIA? Vascular dementia is inherently a disabling disease. Anyone can develop vascular dementia, but it is most common in people age 65 and over,

according to Dementia UK. The risk of developing vascular dementia doubles every five years starting at age 65. On average, people live four to nine years after their diagnosis, Williamson

says. About half that time can be spent in a highly disabled state. People in the earliest stages of vascular dementia will experience a decline in their thinking skills. This can impact

their ability to do certain tasks. They might need support with some aspects of life, like paying bills and getting groceries. Later stages are far more disruptive. People with moderate to

advanced vascular dementia might struggle to perform basic tasks, like feeding and cleaning themselves. At this stage, memory loss becomes “indistinguishable” from Alzheimer’s, Williamson

says. Mobility also becomes a major issue, and patients often have difficulty walking and need a cane or walker to get around. Advanced vascular dementia can also have psychological aspects

that “can be pretty distressing for families as well as the patients,” Levinson says. People with vascular dementia have higher rates of depression and apathy, and may even experience

hallucinations. HOW IS VASCULAR DEMENTIA TREATED? There is no cure for vascular dementia. But treating the underlying causes, such as managing blood pressure or quitting smoking, may help

slow the progression of the disease for some people. To help reduce your risk for vascular dementia, focus on the modifiable risk factors, like eating well, limiting alcohol, exercising

regularly, not smoking and managing stress. The aim is to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol within a healthy range and avoid diabetes. Diagnosing vascular dementia while it’s still in

its early stages is crucial for interventions to work, says Yasuteru Inoue, M.D., a neurology and research fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. “My experience is that many

patients do not come to the hospital until their symptoms are very, very evident,” he says. There are no medications approved to directly treat vascular dementia. Aside from treatments for

underlying causes, such as blood pressure medications or insulin for diabetes, the physicians who spoke with AARP recommended a brain-healthy lifestyle. That means staying socially active

and mentally engaged after the diagnosis, eating a healthy diet and exercising.  Preventing dementia in the first place is also a goal. People who’ve had strokes may receive anticoagulant

medications to lower their chances of developing vascular dementia. Studies suggest that keeping blood pressure below 120 systolic (the top number) can reduce the chance of people developing

dementia. For people who have been diagnosed, vascular dementia “is going to interfere with aspects of their independence,” says Levinson. “That said, people can live with vascular dementia

and live well.”