It’s not unusual to hear the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s used interchangeably, though they are not synonymous; they have different meanings. Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a broad range of symptoms; dementia is a syndrome, not a disease. Dementia is a decline in cognitive function that is typically not reversible.
Common symptoms of dementia include:
- Changes in thinking skills, language, behavior
- Memory loss, difficulty with newly learned information
- Waning focus and attention
- Challenges with reasoning and judgment
- Lack of insight or awareness about these changes
- Changes in gait, vision, and abilities to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, is a type of dementia. In fact, it’s the most common type of dementia.
There are many other types and causes of dementia, such as:
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Parkinson’s disease dementia
- Encephalopathy
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Mixed dementia
- Alcohol-induced dementia
Dementia is a general term. Alzheimer’s is a specific term, a specific disease, a specific dementia.
Concerned about someone in your care or yourself?
Noticing changes in memory, reasoning, communication, or decision making? Worried about safety? We are all individuals and unique, so symptoms can present in different ways for each person. Some changes can be attributed to normal brain aging.
What’s normal brain aging?
- Making occasional errors when paying bills or managing finances.
- Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
- Can’t remember why you walked into a certain part of the house.
- Sometimes need help with the TV remote, a computer or smartphone app.
- Occasionally forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.
- Making a bad decision occasionally, like neglecting to change your furnace filter.
- Misplacing things from time to time but retracing steps to find them.
- Struggling on occasion to find the right word.
- Feeling uninterested in family or social obligations every so often.
Next Steps if you have concerns
Doctor’s appointment. Certain medical conditions such as dehydration, hearing loss, a vitamin B-12 deficiency (pernicious anemia), urinary tract infections (UTI), and drug interactions can produce dementia-like symptoms. These can be detected through an exam and tests and rule out a dementia as a cause of the symptoms. If Alzheimer’s or another dementia is causing symptoms, early detection matters. It provides answers and the opportunity to plan. Additional Reading: What’s in an Alzheimer’s test?
Legal paperwork in order? If not, meet with an Elder Law attorney to get these important documents in place. And Elder Law attorney can guide you on important decisions such as determining who will be your durable powers of attorney (DPOA) for finances and medical decisions. You will also determine distribution of assets. Additional Reading: What is “elder law”?
Understand your financial picture. Meeting with a financial advisor will help you and your family understand what you have available to take care of your needs as they change. Alzheimer’s and other dementias are progressive conditions requiring different levels of care and support as needs change.
Additional care support needed at home? Engage a professional, such as an Aging Life Care expert (AKA Care Manager). We can help you plan for today and the future. We know local resources such as home care, dementia-inclusive programs, support groups, and long-term care communities like the back of our hand. We’re available to consult with you to create a personalized road map to help you prepare and support your well-being. We also assist with strategies for family conversations, long-term planning, as well as ongoing care management when needed.
Are you worried you or a loved one may have Alzheimer’s or another dementia? Let us guide you through the next steps. CLICK HERE to schedule a free, get-acquainted call with one of our Certified Care Managers.
Learn more about our services and supports at our website.
