Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Facts

Posted by Scott Cantin in Alzheimer's Disease, caregiving, caregiving tips, Dementia, depression, elderly care, home care, mental health, Senior Health | 0 comments

Understanding the Difference – Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the brain. It is the leading cause of dementia, which is a term for a group of symptoms including memory loss, impaired judgment, loss of language, and reduced motor skills. There is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary. Many people will have amnesia or memory loss, but others may experience personality or behavioral changes, psychotic episodes, hallucinations or delusions, and other symptoms. Short-term memory loss is usually the very first symptom. Aphasia, which is difficulty communicating, usually follows memory loss. Hallucinations, delusions, and depression usually follow in a quarter of Alzheimer’s cases.

If your elderly loved one is having trouble with every day words, time management, visual images, judgment, spatial relationships, or speaking and writing, then it is time to have them checked out by their primary care physician.

Photo courtesy of iStock.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is defined as a group of symptoms that includes loss of memory, motor skills, and language, and it is cause by deterioration of the brain’s neurons and/or nerve cells. Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia in adults over 65.

Other causes of dementia include stroke (vascular), Lewly bodies, alcohol, and trauma. Every kind of dementia is different, so the symptoms may vary. Some will come on very quickly, while others can take years to develop. Each type also affects different parts of the brain, so it is important to understand the kind of dementia you may be dealing with.

What are the Symptoms of Dementia?

Dementia symptoms include depression, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, anxiety, aggression, agitation, amnesia, apraxia, agnosia, and apathy. Safety precautions must be taken with certain cases in order to ensure that your loved one doesn’t get hurt or hurt others in any way.

Contacting your Doctor

If you or your loved one are experiencing any signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia, visit your doctor as soon as possible. There are things that can be done to make the process go by easier. The longer you wait, the worse things can get. Don’t be afraid to ask your physician about possible preventative measures.

Alzheimer’s Care in Miami, FL

Advancare provides professional and compassionate Alzheimer’s Care in Miami, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, FL & the surrounding areas. If you have a loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia, contact Advancare today.