Risk factors of vascular dementia may include hypertension, atrial fibrillation, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and diabetes (Jolley 2009).Future Roles in Nursing Essay

Risk factors of vascular dementia may include hypertension, atrial fibrillation, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and diabetes (Jolley 2009).Future Roles in Nursing Essay

Although vascular dementia is one of the most common neurological conditions among the elderly in the western world, the exact cause still remains unclear. Vascular dementia is a disorder that cannot be reversed, the progression of the disorder, can however be slowed. Using drugs, along with lifestyle changes to prevent more strokes from occurring, can be an effective way of slowing the progression of vascular dementia. (Knapp and Prince; 2007).

The symptoms of vascular dementia are individual to each person, thus highlighting the necessity for holistic nursing assessment, care and management. These symptoms can vary from; loss of memory; poor judgment and reasoning; apathy, confusion and mood disturbances. (Judd et al; 2004).Future Roles in Nursing Essay

There are major impacts on the person due to vascular dementia; because vascular dementia cannot be cured, it is considered a long-term neurological condition in which the person and family have to come to terms with the initial diagnosis, which can be devastating. Living with a long-term condition has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and poses particular challenges for the individuals’ family members and health-care providers. (Carers UK 2007).

With regards to Mrs. A, the district nurse that took over her care found that the diagnosis of vascular dementia had caused her to feel as though she had no sense of self-worth, her self-identity had been taken away from her and from here on out there would need to be major lifestyle changes that Mrs. A, her sister and friends would need to adhere to. Therefore in order for Mrs. A to achieve levels of recovery; and to live well in the presence or absence of her symptoms; the nurse had to provide a major supportive role in the care of the lady with vascular dementia throughout this process to optimise her and her families’ quality of life. (Keady 2004).Future Roles in Nursing Essay

Dementia is a life changing diagnosis, and the person and family should be supported as holistically as possible by the nurse and healthcare providers at the time of diagnosis. (Barber and Murphy 2011 ). Mrs. As’ sister and close friends found it very difficult to accept this life changing diagnosis especially in regards to her sister, as it proved to cause significant changes in their relationship; research shows the role of “informal carer” is rarely chosen, but thrust upon family members such as Mrs. A’s sister as a consequence of incapacitating illness. (NICE 2006). However due to the bond between the two sisters, they managed to adapt with the support of the nurse and the healthcare team, and eventually came to terms with the altered circumstances. This lady and her family were supported in this transition by a referral to relevant agencies for counselling and other suitable support services.Future Roles in Nursing Essay

This was useful for Mrs. A’s sister as she was not experienced in regular caring duties, and was used to her sister being a strong independent and self-reliant woman. The nurse in charge of Mrs. A’s care recognised this and saw that the sister required guidance and education to provide this care, which in turn assisted in reducing any stressors for Mrs. A and her sister, as well as a care of package being put in place for Mrs. A. (Nain 2006). If they both had not been supported at an early stage, and not been provided with the access to information and support, there could have been consequences of ill health, and stress for Mrs. A’s sister, as well as generating more ill health for Mrs. A herself (Pews 2005).Future Roles in Nursing Essay

The nurse also made a referral to local support groups so that Mrs. A’s sister could have other people who were going through the same feelings and changes in their lives to talk to. These groups aim to support people living with dementia and those who care for them. By referring her to these support groups, the nurse aided in helping Mrs. A’s sister to maintain some form of independence and time away from her caring duties , as recent research shows that family members tend to neglect their own social life and health, once they become carers (Beart 2008). The nurse worked closely and monitored the lady with vascular dementia, and her family to provide a support network, and treat them holistically, thus encouraging an optimum environment for the acceptance of the diagnosis (Roy and Gillespie 2011).Future Roles in Nursing Essay

There were also financial implications on the family, because of loss of earnings due to changes in the Mrs. A’s health. Her sister had to reduce her hours working in their shop dramatically, in order to become a part-time carer. The nurse was supportive, as this had a major impact on the family as the sister begun to have bouts of anxiety and stress within this period of chan