Dealing with aging parents

January ‘25 – Lisa’s PCP wants to get her into the Alzheimer’s Clinic at KU Med* asap. The clinic requires a Brain MRI & Neuropsychological testing before admittance.

We completed both in May and the results of both indicate her dementia is Alz with Vascular dementia as well.

June 17 – The Neuropsychologist recommended that she quit driving at once. Her problem solving ability is very low and she is unable to quickly process information. I slept on it and decided that we must comply, the risk is too big. She is NOT happy about this. Lucky for me the bad guy in this scenario is the Neuropsychologist that made the recommendation.

Just got this from my mom’s cousin. It goes on a lot more and sounds pretty serious.

He’s only like a half a generation older than me - like 65 and his wife the same. Just scary this can come on so fast. I’ve seen Lisa within the last year and she seemed the same as ever. The crazy thing is she’s always looked young for her age and could easily pass for 50. Their kids are still in their 20s.

The reason why vascular dementia can come about so quickly is because they’re due to cerebrovascular accidents (aka “strokes”). Vascular dementia often progresses in a “stepwise” fashion, meaning the condition worsens after every stroke or collection of strokes.

Is there any hope of reversal or slowing it down?

I assume no reversal, but trying to prevent future strokes would be the way to keep it from getting worse.

Edit: It could be reversible if the cause is something like an infection or vitamin deficiency. But presuming she’s had strokes, than no.

My mom, bless her, likes to take pictures of the news so I can see the chyron

3 Likes

What was the point she was trying to convey? That Trump is the beta in that relationship?