Dementia is a group of progressive diseases that cause cognitive impairment and decline over a number of years. There are several types of dementia that develop across a number of stages, including vascular dementia.
In this blog, we explain more about vascular dementia and its seven stages, giving you a better insight into the condition and what you might expect if you or someone close to you has been diagnosed.
What is Vascular Dementia?
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the first.
Some forms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s and dementia with Lewy bodies, are caused by excess protein build-up in the brain. However, vascular dementia is caused by impaired blood flow to the brain, such as from a stroke or a mini stroke. The blood flow disruption causes brain damage, and this can result in vascular dementia developing.
Like other forms of dementia, vascular dementia can develop over a number of years, and there are seven different stages that patients with this condition may go through.
Typically, a person with vascular dementia will experience progressive cognitive decline, with difficulties making sound judgements, communicating, problem-solving, and memory issues. In the later stages, they may also experience some physical difficulties, like issues with incontinence and swallowing.
What is the difference between Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?
Vascular dementia is not the same as Alzheimer’s disease, although patients do often experience similar symptoms.
As mentioned, vascular dementia is caused by restricted blood flow to the brain, resulting in brain damage, whereas Alzheimer’s is caused by an excess build-up of proteins in the brain.
The 7 Stages of Vascular Dementia
The vascular dementia timeline can be categorised into 7 stages. The amount of time a person spends at each stage varies, with some people experiencing relatively slow dementia progression, and others experiencing a more rapid decline. So, what are the 7 stages of vascular dementia?
Stage 1. Normal behaviour
People with early-stage dementia exhibit completely normal behaviour. This means a person with dementia won’t know they have the condition yet because they will have no identifiable symptoms that are causing concern.
Despite there being no noticeable symptoms of vascular dementia in the early stages, changes in the brain will have already started happening. Early-stage dementia can begin several years before any symptoms become present.
Stage 2. Mild cognitive changes
In the very early stages, the first sign that a person has vascular dementia is forgetfulness, but many people confuse this with general age-related forgetfulness.
You may notice yourself or your loved one forgetting where you’ve placed items in the house, or experiencing mild confusion, slowed thinking, and troubles with problem-solving.
This doesn’t tend to be a big red flag for people because mild cognitive decline is normal as we age, but in people with dementia, this is the second stage of the disease.
Stage 3. Mild cognitive decline
The third stage of vascular dementia is a mild cognitive decline where forgetfulness becomes slightly increased. This stage can last for years and may give you the feeling that something just isn’t quite right.
A person might start to forget appointments they’ve made, or routinely misplace items as the dementia progresses, often unknowingly at this point.
Stage three is still considered early-stage dementia.
Stage 4. Moderate cognitive decline
Moderate dementia is the fourth stage of vascular dementia, and is when many people get a diagnosis as the symptoms become more prominent.
At this stage, dementia patients may forget to pay their bills or have difficulties trying to work out money. They may also be unable to recall simple things, like what they ate for their last meal.
This stage can last a couple of years.
Stage 5. Moderately severe cognitive decline
The fifth stage of vascular dementia is when day-to-day living starts to become difficult. This is considered a moderately severe decline and constitutes late-stage dementia.
Whilst a person with stage five dementia may still be able to wash and feed themselves and use the toilet, they may struggle to remember things like their address, phone number, and how to dress appropriately.
Although stage five is considered to be late-stage dementia, most people can recall family and friends, and they can typically recall childhood memories vividly.
Stage 6. Severe cognitive decline
At stage six, living independently isn’t usually possible. This is when symptoms such as incontinence and difficulty swallowing can emerge.
It is still possible for people with stage six dementia to recognise loved ones, but they may be highly confused most of the time. Behavioural changes may also occur, with aggression and anger being somewhat common in individuals with vascular dementia.
Stage 7. Very severe cognitive decline
Most people with vascular dementia pass away before they get to stage seven and experience very severe cognitive decline. This is usually as a result of other health conditions.
However, in those who do reach stage seven, they will require 24-hour care and supervision. In this final stage, people with dementia will struggle to communicate or do almost anything independently.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Vascular Dementia
Everyone with vascular dementia will exhibit slightly different signs. However, common symptoms of vascular dementia include:
- Confusion
- Problems concentrating
- Difficulties with communication
- Memory problems and forgetfulness
- Slowed thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Depression
- Increased irritability and anger
- Incontinence and urinary issues
- Problems with mobility, including balance and coordination
- Weakness and paralysis on a single side of the body
Learn more about the symptoms of vascular dementia
How long will a person with vascular dementia live for?
The life expectancy of someone with vascular dementia can be difficult to predict, as the disease progresses at different rates for different people. For some people, the disease might progress quickly, whereas others might live for years with the disease.
Individuals with vascular dementia often have periods where their symptoms seem stable, followed by periods where they seem to progress more rapidly. As it can be hard to predict, it is more important to focus on how you can best support the affected individual at that moment, rather than how quickly their condition might progress.
What are the signs someone with dementia is nearing the end of their life?
Being able to identify when an individual affected by dementia is nearing the end of their life can be difficult, though it is important in being able to provide them with the most appropriate care.
The following symptoms of dementia might indicate an individual is nearing the end of their life:
- Their speech is limited and might not make sense
- They have a limited understanding of what is being said to them
- They require assistance with most everyday activities, including eating and dressing
- They are eating less and having more difficulty with swallowing food
- They have issues with incontinence
- They become bed-bound and find it hard to walk, stand, or sit up in bed
- They seem very frail
- They have infections that keep coming back
Other signs that an individual with dementia is going through the end stages of their life include:
- Deterioration becoming quicker
- Losing consciousness
- Inability to swallow
- Becoming agitated and restless
- Breathing irregularly
- Chesty or rattling breath
- Cold hands and feet
Who is Most at Risk of Vascular Dementia?
It’s thought that around 180,000 people in the UK have vascular dementia, with people over the age of 65 being more likely to develop it.
It is caused by blood flow issues in the brain, so people who have atherosclerosis (a condition that causes arteries to harden), heart disease, or who have previously had a stroke may be more at risk of developing it.
There are a number of lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of a vascular dementia diagnosis, including:
- Smoking
- Drinking excess alcohol
- Not exercising much
- Being overweight
- Eating an unhealthy diet
There is no definitive way to prevent vascular dementia. However, living a healthier lifestyle may reduce the risk of blood clots and damage to the blood vessels close to your brain, which can cause vascular dementia.
Is There Treatment for Vascular Dementia?
There is no cure for vascular dementia, but there are treatment options available that can slow the progression of the condition. This may include making lifestyle changes to improve other areas of the patient’s health, such as dietary changes and effectively treating conditions like high blood pressure.
It is important for individuals with vascular dementia to follow a healthy lifestyle, including eating a nutritious diet, stay physically active, and not smoke, to help reduce the risk of future strokes and improve overall health and mobility.
Medications may also be used to mitigate the side effects of severe dementia, as well as taking part in occupational therapies and group activities to stimulate the brain and keep it active.
Find out more about vascular dementia treatment
Diagnosing and Treating Vascular Dementia at Dementech Neurosciences
At Dementech Neurosciences, we have a team of world-leading dementia specialists who are experienced and knowledgeable in diagnosing and treating vascular dementia. We focus on early diagnosis and intervention to improve the outcome for the patient.
Our multidisciplinary team comprises a range of therapists, doctors, and dieticians who will work closely to find the right treatment plan for each patient. Whilst we can’t stop the condition from progressing, we can try to slow it down and ease the burden on both the patient and their caregivers through transparent support.
Contact us to find out more about how our team of medical professionals diagnose and treat vascular dementia, or book a consultation today.
