I’m no doctor but are TIAs, indicative to vascular dementia? My 86 yo dad had some pretty severe dizzy spells and passed out, once when he was driving. How he wasn’t killed or kill some body is beyond me. He has a pace maker, his second in about ten years. Now he’s living with my husband and me after being unable to conduct his financial affairs ( and burying large amounts of cash in his back yard and thank heavens he remembered where it was but that was 3 years ago. Also the family home was no longer safe for him to live in. He is taking blood thinners that his heart specialist prescribed and hadn’t really had any other dizzy spells since he had been in this medication. His previous doctor had him only on aspirin to thin his blood which was useless. His current doctor has advised me to get him assessed. His memory is pretty bad and he has some behavioral problems pertaining to dementia but not too bad yet. I’m not sure who to see about this. Helpful polite answers only please.
what I noticed with the Vascular dementia was that some of the declines he had were literally over night and some were pretty dramatic.
He could walk one day and could not the next day. Just 1 example, some others were small and most people would not have noticed.
It seemed that each decline occurred right after a fall or a need to call for a "Lift Assist". None of the falls resulted in head trauma.
A full exam by a Neurologist or a Neuropsychologist would be a place to start.
If it is Vascular dementia the declines he might have will be more noticeable than a decline from Alzheimer's.
I compare Alzheimer's to walking down a ramp, a slow but steady decline.
Vascular dementia would be more like a series of steps, the steps could be long before there is another step down and there might be more than 1 step sometimes.
Do know that with Vascular dementia there is a possibility that he will have a major stroke that will kill him rather than the protracted decline from other dementias.
If you have not discussed with him his wishes about treatment if he does have a stroke do so.
Again a consult a Neurologist or a Neuropsychologist for a diagnosis.
snd be with my mum.
I've had success (with both my mom and husband) getting a comprehensive cognitive assessment by going to a university/medical school-affiliated neurology group.
In both cases, there was imaging, neurological exam as well as paper and pencil neuropsych testing which yielded a good overview of strengths and weaknesses, as well as directions from the MD as to level of care, proscribed activities and recommendations for follow-up.
In both cases, the information was delivered directly to the patient with loved ones in the room so that there was no mistaking what was said or what limitations were being placed.
In my mother's case, she was told NO to driving and living alone.
get together with him and my siblings for this assessment. He surrendered his driver’s license before he moved in with us.