When discussing aging and cognitive health, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often used interchangeably. Despite these terms being related, they have distinct meanings, and knowing the difference can help with finding helpful resources, understanding prognosis, and receiving care.
DEMENTIA
According to the Mayo Clinic, dementia is a broad umbrella term for various symptoms that impact memory, thinking, and social abilities and interfere with daily life. Age Space, an educational website focused on getting older, notes that there are more than 400 different types of dementia.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. It is characterized by the progressive deterioration of brain cells, leading to decreased memory and thinking abilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. And according to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s.
Early screening is essential to address potential medical concerns and take proactive steps to minimize the effects that Alzheimer’s may have on an individual’s everyday life. Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease begins with a thorough review of an individual’s medical history to rule out other conditions. Several methods are then used to determine whether a person has Alzheimer’s disease, including reviewing medical history, understanding symptoms, administering memory tests, ordering labs, performing brain scans, and more.
STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Alzheimer’s disease progresses through three stages: early, middle, and late, each marked by its own set of identifiable symptoms. Understanding these conditions and their implications can help provide effective care and support to people and families affected by this disease.
In the early stage, symptoms may include:
- Misplacing items
- Forgetting names of places or things
- Frequently repeating themselves
In the middle stage, symptoms may include:
- Sleep disturbances
- Changes in speech
- Mood changes such as depression or agitation
In the later stage, symptoms may include:
- Weight loss
- Loss of speech
- Difficulty with mobility
In summary, dementia encompasses various conditions that share similar symptoms of cognitive decline, whereas Alzheimer’s disease is a specific form of dementia.
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