The aim of treatment for vascular dementia is to help:
- stop further damage to your brain
- slow down the progression of the disease
Treatment cannot cure vascular dementia or reverse damage.
Care plans
Before treatment starts, your healthcare team will review your health and social care needs. They will create a care plan to identify areas where you may need help.
They may assess:
- the supports in place to help you live as independently as possible - either at home or in a care home
- your home and daily activities
Who is your healthcare team
Your healthcare team will be led by a neurologist, geriatrician or psychiatrist.
Other healthcare professionals on the team may include a:
- nurse
- physiotherapist
- speech and language therapist
- occupational therapist
- dietician
- social worker
The team works with your local primary care team. Some parts of your care and the planning for your care will be shared.
The primary care team may include:
- your GP
- public health nurse
- physiotherapist
- occupational therapist
- speech and language therapist
- dietician
Your care plan may change if your condition gets worse. For example, if you need more support or to move to a care home.
If you need long-term residential care, you can apply for financial support through the Fair Deal scheme.
Advice and supports for carers
Lifestyle changes
Vascular dementia is caused by problems with blood flow to your brain. There are things you can do to improve your blood flow. This may help slow down the progression of the condition.
Do
-
have a healthy, balanced diet - you may be advised to follow a low-salt diet to manage high blood pressure
-
lose weight if you're carrying extra weight
Medicines
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat conditions contributing to your dementia.
These include medicines for:
Some medicines can reduce the risk of blood clots and further strokes. These include aspirin or clopidogrel, or anticoagulants such as warfarin
Medicines such as donepezil (Aricept) or galantamine (Reminyl) are sometimes prescribed for vascular dementia. This is usually prescribed if you have both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Antipsychotic medicines
An antipsychotic medicine may be given to people who:
- can become violent or become very distressed
- pose a risk to themselves or others
A psychiatrist will normally be involved in prescribing this medicine. You may need a referral from another specialist to a psychiatrist.
Support and other therapies
Your care team can recommend or organise supports for you to help make your everyday activities easier and more accessible.
These include:
- occupational therapy to identify problems in everyday life, such as getting dressed
- speech and language therapy to help improve communication problems
- physiotherapy to help with movement
- psychological therapies, such as cognitive stimulation to improve memory, problem-solving and language
- relaxation techniques, such as massage, music or dance therapy
- social interaction and leisure activities
- making changes to your home, such as removing potential trip hazards, making sure the home is well lit and adding grab bars and handrails
- advice and information from the National Dementia Adviser Service
Assistive technologies
Assistive technologies can make it easier for you to live at home. You can learn about assistive technologies at our memory and technology resource rooms.
These include technology to help with:
- memory problems - such as clocks, recording devices or diaries
- communication - such as special telephones or mobile phones
- safety - such as personal alarms, motion sensors or lights
Memory and Technology Resource Rooms - understandtogether.ie
Support groups
It can help to get in touch with a support group.
Find dementia supports and services in your area at:
End of life and legal issues
If you have been diagnosed with dementia, you might want to make arrangements for your care in the future.
This may include making sure that your wishes are upheld if you cannot make decisions for yourself.
There are some things you may want to consider.
For example, you might like to create an advance healthcare directive, which makes your wishes known for your healthcare in the future. You may need your healthcare team to help you with this.
You may also want to have a plan for where you want to receive treatment as your condition becomes more advanced.
You can give someone enduring power of attorney. This lets them make decisions about you and your care if you're not able to. You will need a solicitor to help you with this.
Planning for the future - alzheimer.ie
Advance planning arrangements - www.decisionsupportservice.ie
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
