It is easy to confuse the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's. Simply put, dementia is a general diagnosis and a range of scenarios can cause it. Alzheimer's on the other hand, is a specific type of dementia. It's important that individuals and families learn the difference between the two because it can alter how you approach a plan for short and long-term care. What is Dementia?
Dementia is a symptom. Just like a headache or a sore throat, it presents itself similarly in individuals, even if the cause of the symptom is different. So, if a person has dementia, they exhibit signs of memory loss and other cognitive problems that disrupts everyday life. In certain cases, dementia can be reversed or greatly slowed by treating the cause, although this isn't always the case. Symptoms of dementia include:
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. That being said, it isn't the only cause. Additional causes of dementia, which affects memory and language, include:
While it's difficult to cure or reverse dementia, doctor's believe maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are key to preventing some of the most common health conditions that contribute to dementia's development. Individual care, in the form of an in-home nurse or assisted living facility that specializes in memory care, is key to improving the quality of life for adults diagnosed with dementia. What is Alzheimer's Disease? As mentioned above, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is one of the reasons it's easy to be confused about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease, however, is a very specific diagnosis and it causes irreversible damage to brain cells, which ultimately affects language, memory and thought processes. The disease is progressive and exists in two forms:
A specific cause of Alzheimer's has yet to be discovered. Researchers believe genetics, environment and lifestyle play the largest factors in its development. Planning for some type of in-home or assisted living care is the best bet for keeping Alzheimer's patients as healthy, active and safe as the disease progresses. Are you or someone you love exhibiting symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's disease? Contact Nurse Registry today for more information.
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AuthorNurse Registry Palo Alto Archives
April 2023
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