The term dementia is often used interchangeably with Alzheimer’s disease; however, the latter is a subset of the former. If you are concerned about an older loved one’s cognitive abilities or recently had a family member diagnosed with either condition, it’s worth educating yourself on the effects and treatment options, including memory and elder care. Here’s what you need to know. 

How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Differ From Dementia?

Dementia

An umbrella term, dementia refers to a group of symptoms connected to thinking skills, memory, judgment, reasoning, communication, and focus. Because it covers numerous cognitive decline symptoms, it is a syndrome instead of a disease. There are several types of dementia, and some individuals can have more than one kind, or mixed dementia.

For example, Lewy body dementia can cause delusions, sleep issues, thinking and reasoning changes, confusion, and memory loss. Huntington’s disease causes uncontrolled arm, leg, face, head, and upper body movements, in addition to reduced reasoning and thinking skills, memory loss, and depression.

Alzheimer’s

Arguably the most well-known form of dementia, it’s a progressive disease that damages brain cells via amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Plaque buildup mainly affects the hippocampus—the part of the brain associated with memory—while tangles clog the brain from the inside, resulting in cell damage.

Typical symptoms include memory issues, thinking and reasoning problems, confusion and disorientation, depression, speaking and communication difficulties, short-term memory problems, and impaired judgment. 

Fortunately, there are many ways to slow symptom progression for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Make sure your elderly loved one consumes plenty of brain-healthy foods, exercises at least a few times a week, and listens to music daily. 

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, discuss elderly care options with the compassionate team at Deer Valley Home Health Services. With locations in Berkeley, St. Charles, and St. Louis, MO, this home health agency tailors their elder care services to each client’s specific needs. Services for kids, teens, and adults are also offered. Call (314) 355-3679 (Berkeley), (636) 493-6488 (Saint Charles), or (314) 773-4433 (St. Louis) to get started, or learn more about their elder care services online. Follow their Twitter for updates.