I was wondering what are the differences between alzheimer's and vascular dementia?

Significant: Alzheimer's is a progressive dementia characterized by short term memory loss and another domain such as naming that continues gradually. Vascular dementia is a step wise (non progressive) dementia caused by strokes, where each stroke causes a cognitive loss which is less clearly demarcated since it is more subcortical. So patients have problems with recall/retrieval of info or other dysfunction.

Briefly,: Ad progresses slowly, but it does progress. Vd occurs suddenly and stabilizes. With additional incidents, it again abruptly worsens, then stabilizes. Depending on the site of the damage, motor function will or will not be involved. Ad may take a long time to effect motor ability. It's a bit like "disease vs injury". Below is a link since 400 chars is too little. Hope it helps.