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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffVascular dementia can be difficult for both the person with the disorder and his or her caregiver.
Familiar surroundings and a fairly predictable routine are helpful for people with vascular dementia. Some other things that might help include:
- Large calendars and clocks, because they help a person with dementia reorient themselves when they've forgotten the date or time.
- Let your loved one know what you're doing. For example, don't just lead him or her into the bathroom and start taking off his or her clothes. Let him or her know that it's time for a bath or shower.
- Provide some type of stimulus in his or her room, such as a TV or radio.
- Be sure your loved one has regular activities to participate in, such as going for a walk.
Taking care of someone with vascular dementia is a lot of work and can cause a lot of worry. Stress and burnout are common in caregivers. Ask your loved one's doctor what resources are available in your area and for your situation. Many people also find support groups helpful.
- Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm. Accessed March 14, 2009.
- Vascular dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_vascular_dementia.asp. Accessed March 14, 2009.
- Bird TD, et al. Dementia. In: Fauci AS, et al.: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2904052. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Wright CB. Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of vascular dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Dementia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch213/ch213c.html. Accessed March 14, 2009.
- Aricept (prescribing information). Woodcliff Lake, N.J.: Eisai Inc.; 2006. http://www.aricept.com/images/AriceptComboFullPINovember02006.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Namenda (prescribing information). St. Louis, Mo.: Forrest Pharmaceuticals; 2007. http://www.frx.com/pi/namenda_pi.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Aminoff MJ, et al. Disorders of cognitive function. In: Aminoff MJ, et al. Clinical Neurology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2079000. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Wright CB. Treatment and prevention of vascular dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2009.
