“He has some dementia.” Have you heard this sentence before?
The word “dementia” is thrown around so casually among families, caregivers, and medical professionals that it often loses its true meaning. The misuse of the word can lead us to ask: Is dementia a normal sign of aging, or is it an early stage of Alzheimer’s?
The truth is - it is neither.
What is dementia?
According to the Mayo Clinic, dementia refers to “a set of particular symptoms, including memory loss, language difficulty, and poor judgment” caused by physical changes in the brain. Although dementia involves memory loss, memory loss on it's own has different causes.
Of the nearly 5 million people living with dementia in the United States, an estimated 60 to 70 percent have Alzheimer’s as an underlying cause. The rest of the population could be experiencing other types of dementia, including Vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease with dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Frontotemporal dementia. Some people also experience mixed dementia, in which the same individual has multiple forms of dementia.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s is defined by the Alzheimer’s Association as “a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.”
Unlike other dementias, Alzheimer’s presents with a relatively slow onset and continues to progress without a known cure. It can affect memory, language, behavior, and personality, but usually does not impair basic body functions and the ability to walk.
What is the difference between Alzheimer's and Dementia?
Just as a headache can signify a whole wide range of underlying causes, from dehydration to fatigue, so too can dementia alert us to a variety of possible underlying causes, including Alzheimer’s disease as a cause. In contrast, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease pin points the exact cause of the cognitive changes in that person.
In addition to this main difference, there are other key differences in the treatment and progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease without a known cure at this time. In contrast, dementia is categorized as heterogenic, meaning that the disease progresses differently in each person. Although it sometimes follows a straight trajectory, it can also vary quite widely day to day, and it can even have short-term and reversible causes including drug interactions and vitamin deficiencies.
What does this mean for Families and Caregivers?
Regardless of the diagnosis, your loved one’s quality of care is key to managing conditions. The most important step you can take is to remain aware of early warning signs, because talking to your doctor about physical and mental symptoms as soon as they appear can make both conditions easier to manage.
If your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, hiring a respite, hourly, or live-in care provider to help your loved one remain comfortable and safe in their home is a great idea, as taking on sole caregiving duties can be taxing on personal lives and relationships.
American In-Home Care refers qualified nurses, Home Health Aides, Certified Nursing Assistants, and Companions that specialize in Alzheimer's care and other services, and can help you and your loved one. Contact us today at 1-844-505-0004 for a free consultation to determine what care options are best for your family.
