What is Vascular Dementia?

in

While most of us are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, there are other less common forms of dementia with one of those being vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is a general term describing problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes. It is often caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain like during a stroke, but thankfully it depends on the location and severity of the stroke damage. Other conditions that can harm blood vessels, reduce circulation, and deprive the brain of oxygen and nutrients, are brain hemorrhage caused by things like high blood pressure as well as abnormal aging of blood vessels (atherosclerosis) and diabetes. 

The Mayo Clinic explains vascular dementia can imitate many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease but the biggest difference of vascular dementia is people suffer a greater loss in the speed of organizing thoughts and problem-solving rather than actual memory loss. The condition can come on suddenly such as after an event like a stroke or as a more gradual decline like Alzheimer’s. Researchers also have found many people with telltale signs of brain vascular disease also have Alzheimer’s disease.  

Symptoms of vascular disease include: 

  • Confusion

  • Trouble paying attention and concentrating

  • Reduced ability to organize thoughts or actions

  • Decline in ability to analyze a situation, develop an effective plan and communicate that plan to others

  • Slowed thinking

  • Difficulty with organization

  • Difficulty deciding what to do next

  • Problems with memory

  • Restlessness, agitation and depression

  • Unsteady gait 

The condition is rare in those under 65 and increases significantly in those over 90 years of age. To mitigate your risk, doctors say maintain a healthy blood pressure, keep weight and cholesterol in check and prevent or manage diabetes. If you smoke, quit; and engage in regular physical activity. A healthy low-fat diet also is a factor in preventing heart disease and strokes, which in turn helps prevent vascular dementia. 

At MorningStar at North Ridge, we provide compassionate, comprehensive alzheimers care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Along with 24-hour care, residents receive daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participate in wellness programs and activities tailored to their special needs.  Please contact us or visit our website for more information about MorningStar’s memory care in Albuquerque. 


MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest alzheimers care in Albuquerque, NM.