Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What’s the Difference?

Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What’s the Difference?

It can be difficult to fully understand Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia when both terms have similar meaning and are often used interchangeably. Understanding the difference can help individuals, family members, and caregivers recognize early signs and seek care when needed.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a general term for symptoms related to memory loss and cognitive decline. There are several types of dementia, the most common being Alzheimer’s disease.

• Alzheimer’s Disease: accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, caused by specific changes within the brain.
• Vascular Dementia: accounts for 10% of dementia cases linked to a stroke or blood flow circulation in the brain.
• Lewy Body Dementia: In addition to the typical symptoms, this form of dementia may also cause movement or balance issues.
• Fronto-temporal Dementia: This form of dementia often leads to changes in one’s personality and behavior.
• Mixed Dementia: More than one type of dementia can be present in the brain simultaneously. This form is not always obvious as the symptoms of one form of dementia may be more prominent.
• Reversible Causes: This form of dementia may be due to a reversible underlying cause such as medication, vitamin deficiency, or thyroid hormone imbalance.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Issues with memory; attention; communication; reasoning, judgement, and problem solving; visual perception beyond typical age-related changes in vision.

What are the signs of dementia?

Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood; forgetting the name of an immediate family member or a close friend; forgetting old memories; using unusual words to refer to familiar objects.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a specific brain disease that can impact an individual’s way of life as the disease progresses. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and can first appear after the age of 60 with an increased risk as the individual ages.

What are the signs of Alzheimer’s disease?

Memory loss that disrupts daily life (getting lost in a familiar place and/or repeating questions); decreased or poor judgement; changes in mood, personality, or behavior; misplacing things and being unable to retrace your steps; trouble handling money and/or paying bills; difficulty completing familiar tasks.

If you feel you or your loved one may be experiencing symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease or suspected of having dementia, it is important to begin by getting checked and talking with your healthcare provider to determine if your symptoms are related. An early and accurate diagnosis provides you and your loved ones with an opportunity to consider financial planning, develop advanced directives, and anticipate care needs.

En Su Casa Caregivers is proud to annually support the Alzheimer’s Association San Antonio and South Texas Chapter. We are committed to providing resources and support to families navigating an Alzheimer’s/Dementia diagnosis through our personalized care plans based on a client’s needs. Our caregivers ensure a trusting and compassionate approach to care to help our clients’ age in place in the comfort of familiar surroundings. If you are interested in learning more about En Su Casa’s home care services, call 210-922-2960 to speak directly to one of our team members today.