Tag: vascular dementia Delaware County

Vision Changes for those Living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes
Our field of vision changes as we age, but the changes are drastic for a person living with dementia.  Eventually the field of vision becomes so restricted that sight becomes a main obstacle in carepartners connecting before providing care.  The results could worsen anxiety, hallucinations, mood swings, aggression, and other behavioral issues. 
Visual deterioration progresses in the following order:
  1. 45* peripheral (This is the normal range of vision for an older adult 75 years young.)
  2. Tunnel vision (The width is about a yard in diameter.  Loss of sight occurs in all directions: left, right, up, and down.)
  3. Binocular vision (Cup your hands around your eyes or use a pair of binoculars to experience this for yourself.)
  4. Restricted binocular (Cup your hands tighter around each eye, until they are just loose enough to fit a pencil through each opening.)
  5. Monocular (The brain shuts off vision to one eye.  This is because the brain is prioritizing other bodily functions such as digestion, respiration, and blood circulation.)
NursePartners practices the positive physical approach to care.  We emphasize the importance of recognizing these changes in order to build meaningful and successful relationships.  Admin includes dementia practitioners and coaches that train our carepartners in dementia care before placing them to work with our clients.  
Want to learn more about our dementia training?  Think these approaches can enhance the quality of life for your loved one? 

Call us to learn more about how we can help: 610-323-9800.

Philadelphia demenia care, Philadelphia home care, Philadelphia Alzheimer's disease“Ambers”, or clients living in a middle stage of dementia, experience the world with binocular vision.
If you want to learn more about reducing challenging behaviors, check out this article from Pines Education.
 

Vascular Dementia: causes, progression, and support

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

This video from the UK Alzheimer’s Society explains vascular dementia.

As described by the video, our neurons require a healthy blood supply.  Our blood brings oxygen and nutrients to each of these cells.

Vascular dementias typically develop in one of two ways.  A major stroke can seriously damage the brain by cutting off the blood supply for a period of time.  Symptoms of dementia would be observable afterwards.  In contrast, a multi-infarct dementia can develop through a series of smaller strokes or by a narrowing of the blood vessels.  In both cases the blood supply is inhibited, either for lesser time for a series of smaller strokes, or gradually by limiting the amount of blood that reaches each neuron.

Certain cardiovascular diseases put individuals at higher risk for developing a vascular dementia.  These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

Symptoms include problems planning, organizing, and concentrating.  We should strive to break down complex tasks into basic steps and to simplify the environment.

Unlike other steps of dementia, vascular dementias tend to progress in a step-wise manner.  Although no treatments exist to reverse the associated effects of previous damage, a person living with the vascular dementia may stabilize at a new baseline if the blood supply remains constant.  However, if the blood supply continues to change, deterioration may happen at a quicker pace than for other types of dementia (Brain Test).

It is important for older adults living with vascular dementia to have the support they need to live their lives.  By focusing on what they can still do, we support clients living with this diagnosis.  NursePartners pairs dementia trained certificated nursing assistants with clients living at home or a facility.  Contact us today to learn more about our GEM care services for clients living with dementia.  610-323-9800