Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia

Unraveling the Mysteries of Cognitive Decline

Most of us have at least heard of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and many have been at least indirectly affected by them. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers estimate that 42% of Americans over age 55 will eventually develop dementia. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they will develop Alzheimer’s. While they are often used interchangeably, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are not one and the same.

In this article, we will look at the similarities and differences across the lifespan of Alzheimer’s and dementia, so if your loved one receives a diagnosis, you can feel better informed.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that results in impairment of memory and cognitive function. It is important to know that, at this point, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. It is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. People who have the disease often live three to 11 years with it, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms, including:

• Memory loss
• Challenges with language and understanding
• Changes in behavior
• Difficulty with daily tasks

You may also hear it referred to as cognitive decline. The range of life expectancy is much broader than that of Alzheimer’s, since there are so many different causes of dementia.

Causes: Alzheimer’s Versus Dementia

The cause of Alzheimer’s is not known at this time. Researchers theorize that it is a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. As scientists work to better understand the cause, they are focused on learning more about the role of plaques and tangles.

• Plaques are amyloid protein clusters that negatively affect communication in the brain.
• Tangles are misshapen tau proteins that disrupt nutrient delivery and lead to the death of healthy brain cells.

Alzheimer’s is by far the most common cause of dementia and is accountable for 60% to 80% of diagnoses, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That said, dementia is caused by a variety of conditions and factors, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
• Infections, such as HIV
• Vascular disease
• Stroke
• Depression
• Chronic drug use

A person can experience more than one cause or type of dementia. This is called mixed dementia.

Symptoms: Alzheimer’s Versus Dementia

Memory loss is the most commonly discussed (and most prevalent) symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. You may see this symptom manifest as:

• Repetitive statements and questions
• Misplaced items or a loved one putting things away in spots that don’t make sense
• Forgetfulness related to recent conversations, commitments, and events
• Getting lost in places they once knew well
• Forgetfulness related to names and everyday items
• Difficulty expressing themselves or finding the right word

People with Alzheimer’s also tend to struggle with decision-making and reasoning. You may see these effects in symptoms like:

• Inability to do more than one task at a time
• Wearing something that doesn’t make sense based on the social setting or weather
• Difficulty safely and effectively completing daily tasks like cooking or paying bills
• Challenges with activities that require doing things in a certain order
• Poor hygiene

There are also some behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease:

• Depression, anger, and/or aggression
• Social withdrawal and lack of interest in activities
• Changes in sleeping habits
• Mood swings
• Delusions or lack of trust in others
• Loss of inhibitions
• Wandering

Dementia shares the symptoms listed above, which makes sense considering Alzheimer’s leads to dementia. However, the magnitude and order in which the symptoms occur may vary depending on the type of dementia a person has. If you have concerns about symptoms, you will want to talk to your loved one’s doctor to determine the best way to manage them.

Treatment and Management for Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are considered terminal conditions. But there is much that families and caregivers can do to both enjoy time with their loved ones and to improve their quality of life.

Treatment for Alzheimer’s and dementia will depend on the diagnosis. Find a doctor you trust and work with them to find the best fit when it comes to personalized treatment for your loved one.

• Those with Alzheimer’s may see benefit from medication to manage and slow symptoms like memory loss, sleep challenges, and behavioral changes.
• In most cases, dementia is not reversible, but there may be some level of treatment available. For example, dementia caused by tumors, metabolic disorders, or hypoglycemia tends to respond well to treatment.
• For different types of dementia, patients may also benefit from treating the underlying cause (Parkinson’s disease, etc.).

In addition to finding the right medical care, caregivers and families can take personal steps to support a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Right at Home suggests following these guidelines:

1. Focus on ability, not disability: When you focus on the daily activities that your loved one is capable of, you help improve confidence, engagement, and emotional and physical well-being.
2. Pay attention to nutrition: Poor nutrition can worsen symptoms and make people appear less capable. There is no specific diet for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Rather, caregivers should support access to a balanced diet by limiting mealtime distractions, preparing colorful foods, serving meals in a familiar place, eating with their loved one, and using solid-colored plates, napkins, and placemats.
3. Help with well-being: Provide support for the behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia by minimizing overstimulation, spending time in fresh air, encouraging mobility, maintaining familiar sleep and hygiene routines, and displaying familiar photos and objects.
4. Support perception and safety: Cognitive decline can make moving around a challenge. You can help keep your loved one safe by using contrasting colors on walls, steps, etc., clearing unnecessary clutter, simplifying home organization, and ensuring adequate lighting at all times of day and night.
5. Assist with recognition and orientation: Cognitive decline can make it difficult for your loved one to recognize things in their environment or recall procedures. You can support them by using labels throughout the house, offering simple choices, removing items unnecessary to the task at hand, verbally guiding them through multistep processes, and using images to help recognize and remember items, food, people, etc.
6. Keep communication flowing: Alzheimer’s and dementia can negatively affect communication and relationships. You can support your loved one’s ability to communicate by using simple language, using their name, touching their hand, arm, or shoulder to get their attention, making eye contact at eye level, and socializing in small, familiar groups.

Another tactic for encouraging communication and reclaiming your time with your loved one is finding safe activities you can both participate in. Check out this article for suggestions for meaningful, interactive ways to spend time together.

How Right at Home Can Help

Right at Home can help care for your loved one who is experiencing the effects of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or cognitive change, as well as provide support or respite for families and caregivers. We offer a customized care plan combining companionship, homemaking, and personal care services to ensure your loved one stays engaged and safe at home.

Click here to learn more about Right at Home’s approach and the range of compassionate care services for people affected by cognitive impairment and their families. Or use our office locator to find the office closest to you and ask for a free in-home consultation.