Vascular dementia mom eyes are closed all the time and frequently has hallucinations! What stage is this?

Mom also has advanced glaucoma to the point that we think she also has Charles Bonnet Syndrome. The psychiatrist initially said vascular dementia based off medical results. Since of the pandemic, the psychiatrists are doing only virtual appointments. So that's a little bit more of a background.

My Mom was never diagnoised with a certain Dementia but I have learned recently that it is important that you know which one because of meds.

My Mom too would close her eyes but occasionally. And she seemed to talk better with them closed. It was like she could get her thoughts in order. It was weird. She also suffered from hallucinations which her Neurologist told her would be normal. She always saw a little girl until I came in the room. Part of her reality was TV and dreams.

I would write down everything you see. Make it one sheet of paper one sided. My handwriting is horrible so I typed mine in 14 font. Easy read for the doctor. Give the paper to the receptionist and ask that the doctor look at it before ur appt. Will help him ask the right questions of Mom.

Stage? There are 7 stages I would say Mom is about 4? Stages can overlap.

Hallucinations are not common with vascular dementia, but they are with Lewy Body dementia, so it's a good thing that mom has an upcoming appt. in a few weeks. Make sure you have written down any questions you have for this professional, as sometimes people are misdiagnosed with which dementia they might have.

My husband died a few months ago from vascular dementia, and the only time his eyes were closed, was when he was sleeping, or when he became unconscious on his death bed.

I hope you and mom get the answers you are wanting at her appt. in Dec. Best wishes.

Some people get a mixed dementia diagnosis, eg vascular + another type.

I dislike the 7 stage model. I prefer the 3 stage simpler version: mild, moderate, advanced. I'd be absolutely guessing here but would say moderate & amber-ruby in Teepa Snow's gem model. The gem model is focused on a care approach, not just deficits.

In my experience, when walking, talking & swallowing fade this can indicate entering the advanced stage (or pearl).

VaD doesn't normally progress in any orderly way. However, you can find dementia stages by Googling "FAST stages". Often VaD and Alzheimer's coexist.