Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is
not.Learning about the two terms and the difference between them is important and can empower
individuals living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, their families and their caregivers with
necessary knowledge.Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory,
reasoning or other thinking skills. Many different types of dementia exist, and many conditions cause
it. Mixed dementia is a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur
simultaneously. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80%
of dementia cases.Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that
affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell
damage. It leads to dementia symptoms that gradually worsen over time. The most common early
symptom of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically
impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.
As Alzheimer’s advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion and
behavior changes. Eventually, speaking, swallowing and walking become difficult.

Though the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age, the disease is not a normal
part of aging. And though most people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older, approximately 200,000
Americans under 65 are living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Q&A

1. What is dementia ?
2. What is Alzheimer’s?
3. Dementia is a specific disease. Alzheimer’s is not. True or false ?
4. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. True or false
5. Alzheimer’s accounts for what percentage of dementia cases?
6. How many Americans under the age of 65 are living with younger onset Alzheimer’s
   disease?
7. What is mixed dementia ?
8. Dementia affects thinking, behavior and feelings. True or false
9. List two symptoms of Alzheimer’s
10. How must a caregiver approach an individual with dementia?