Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are both scary diagnoses for older people and their families. Both conditions cause progressive cognitive decline, severe memory loss and behavioral changes.
Because the two conditions have similar features and typically occur in people over age 65, it’s easy to confuse them.
However, there are
a few very important differences between Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia that seniors and their families should know.
Unlike Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia is not a particular condition, but a syndrome.
The term ‘dementia’ is an umbrella term that describes a decline in mental function and cognition. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, poor judgement, issues with reasoning and thinking, and a decline in communication and language skills.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia, but it isn’t the only condition that leads to dementia symptoms.
Other
common causes of dementia include:
Dementia is not a normal part of aging; its symptoms are severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function in daily life.
Unlike dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease is a single condition. The disease itself causes brain cells to degenerate (waste away) over time, leading to a number of symptoms that are collectively known as dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60% - 80% of cases1.
As their brain cells degenerate, a person with Alzheimer’s Disease will exhibit a number of cognitive and behavioral changes, including memory loss, speech and communication issues, social withdrawal, disorientation, and mood swings. As the disease progresses, it can cause patients to have delusions, begin wandering or display aggressive or paranoid behavior.
When a person is diagnosed with dementia, the underlying cause of their symptoms may not be immediately discernible. It’s important to remember that just because a person exhibits symptoms of dementia does not mean he or she has Alzheimer’s Disease or another progressive brain condition. Because dementia can be caused by a number of disorders and conditions, it is necessary for each person with dementia symptoms to undergo further testing.
Dementia can be caused by a number of conditions that are potentially reversible or treatable. In fact, one study of people with dementia found that the symptoms were caused by a reversible or treatable condition in over 19% of participants2.
Conditions that cause
potentially reversible dementia include:
Alzheimer’s Disease is not a reversible condition. It is a progressive disease that cannot be effectively treated or cured. There are treatments, however, that may be able to improve a person’s symptoms for a period of time.
The most common risk factor for both dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease is increasing age; the majority of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are over the age of 65.
Other risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease include: family history, past head injuries, having Down syndrome, and having mild cognitive impairment. Lifestyle features, such as lack of exercise, being obese, having high blood pressure and smoking, can also increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.
Because dementia isn’t a single condition, risk factors for developing the symptoms are varied.
Risk factors for developing some form of dementia include: being older, having Down syndrome, having a family history of dementia, drinking heavily, having depression and having diabetes or cardiovascular conditions.
Many seniors experience mild memory loss that is simply a normal side effect of getting older.
Normal, age-related memory loss is characterized by occasional lapses in memory, such as forgetting the name of an acquaintance or having momentary trouble finding the right word.
Normal aging does not cause severe memory loss, such as forgetting the names of family members and close friends or getting lost in familiar places.
Normal aging also doesn’t cause personality or behavioral changes--two aspects of Alzheimer's Disease that distinguish it from mild cognitive impairment and age-related memory issues.
If you are concerned that your senior loved one is exhibiting signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, it’s important to schedule an appointment with their doctor to find out more.
It can be challenging to provide care for a senior with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing and quarantine measures prevent us from visiting family on a regular basis. Additionally, individuals with cognitive impairment may not understand the dangers of the virus or how to protect themselves. As a result, they may need extra supervision and care during this time.
If you have a senior loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, a professional in-home caregiver can help ensure your loved one receives necessary care and assistance.
First Choice Senior Care is a certified home care agency in Arkansas that
provides in-home care services for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
Co-Owner, First Choice Senior Care
Kayla Stephens is the co-owner of First Choice Senior Care. She grew up in Northeast Arkansas, and has worked in rehabilitation, hospice care, managed nursing homes and a large home care agency. She has received several awards for sales and quality achievements in hospice and long-term care.
Kayla believes in advocating for and educating seniors and their families on a variety of topics and issues that impact them. Reflecting on the need for an independent home care provider interested in quality over quantity, she chased her dream of building her own company that would make a significant difference in the lives of seniors, providing a much-needed service in her own local community.
Kayla holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas State University, is licensed by the state of Arkansas as a Long-Term Care Administrator, and is a Certified Senior Adviser.
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