AboutMichalene Peticca Expertise I'd be happy to help with any questions about Alzheimer's or Dementia diseases. I can also help with Medicare, Long term care & other insurance questions.
Experience I have my Masters degree in Geriatrics and am credentialed through the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Pennstate Milton Hershey hospital and the American Geriatrics Society. I've been in healthcare for over 20 years and worked directly with Alzheimer's and Dementia individuals for most of that time. I am also a licensed insurance agent in PA and MD. Currently i train healthcare professionals to care for Alzheimer and Dementia individuals and i have been a care manager for guardianship services in PA
Organizations American Geriatrics Society
Education/Credentials Masters degree in Geriatrics
Licensed insurance agent in PA & MD.
Past/Present clients PHI Homes in Pennsylvania
York, Dauphin & Adams County Area on Aging
The Jewish Home of Harrisburg
Question I had 2 questions. Is it possible for a stroke or strokes to damage your brain, but not cause dementia? Also, is vascular dementia fatal, even if there aren't any more strokes? My grandmother has had strokes and it seems to have damaged her mental abilities, especially remembering things. I don't remember when it all started, but she had another stroke and it got worse.
She has never been diagnosed or tested, but I think the doctor mentioned a stroke or strokes probably causing this. I don't notice her getting worse so I was wondering if a single stroke can do damage without causing dementia.
Thanks for your time
Answer Hello KC,
Thank you for writing.
Strokes happen in the brain when brain transmitters "break". It's like a telephone wire that has broken. Unfortunately, that broken connection cannot be fixed. Strokes cause physical damage in the brain. However, an inidividual can be "trained" to use another part of the brain to compensate for the loss.
You certainly can have a stroke and not have Dementia. Especially if it is a "small stroke" (see TIA) or depending on where the stroke occurs in the brain.
However, repeated strokes of the brain do usually do enough damage that a Bi-product of the stroke is dementia. Dementia being the characteristics of forgetfulness, personality / behavior changes, etc.
I would suggest looking under the Mayo Clinic site at Vascular dementia and also TIAs for more information.
