Progression of Dementia after Stroke

April 18, 2007

Hi All,

I'm new to this group - my Dad has dementia and physical symptoms

which sounds very much like lewy body, however he has not been

diagnosed with LBD. He has severe balance problems along with

dementia. The dementia started showing up about 6 mos ago, but in

the last month he has declined so badly that he is rarely " OK " for

even a few minutes. It has advaced to a point where he had to be

placed in the hospital. He has hallucinations which scare him, and

right now he believes he is in a 14 story pulp and paper mill that

is circular. He is in a 1-story small 20 bed hospital right now.

They have done a CT scan and found he has probably had a stroke

which has accelerated the dementia - think no brakes! They tell me

people who have had strokes for the most part can recover greatly if

given the combination of drugs / environment. I am hoping that

there will be some space opening in the mental health facility to

get him in and get his meds adjusted. He is frustrated, now unable

to walk, incontinent, and his arms and hands are not working very

well. I try to get to the hospital at mealtimes to help him eat,

but he does seem to be getting enough to eat as his protien levels

are good now, and I bring him healthy snacks. He has a wander-guard

as when he was a bit moblile he would try to get out to go home, or

he thought I was out in the parking lot waiting for him. (that

noise? its my heart breaking)

My question to the group is, has anyone seen a considerable

improvement after a stroke with the dementia and the physical

symptoms? What was involved with the recovery?

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