What is dementia and what is Alzheimer’s disease? Many get confused between the two but there are actually ways for you to distinguish them both.
Alzheimer’s disease is actually the most common form of dementia and it usually strikes a person as young as 45 years old. It is when a person suffers from memory loss. It’s when your grandma often forgets where she left her purse or whether or not she is already wearing her false teeth. It can also get severe to the point that they no longer remember your name or where they live.
Dementia is a general term for mental conditions where Alzheimer’s also belongs to which is why many get confused with the two terms. It can be hard to differentiate them both but the easiest way to detect is on the age of the patient suffering it. If he/she suffered from the ailment at the age of 70 and above then it is probably dementia and not Alzheimer’s.
Dementia is different because the patient won’t only forget things no matter how severe it may be. Patients suffering from dementia starts having memory impairment which means they get difficulty speaking or their motor skills are no longer the same.
They may also have difficulty differentiating a square from a triangle and they also get easily distracted. Patients with Alzheimer’s just forget details and basic information about themselves and their whereabouts.
Author: Mark Kirby
Mark Kirby is the proud owner of Healthier Matters. A vegetarian and health lifestyle supporter but also an avid nature lover and birdwatcher.
Mark is now retired but has spent his entire 40-year career in Healthcare.
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Thanks for this post about these terrible diseases…
Oh, we need to take care of our brain and exercise just like we would do with the rest of the body: sudoku, crosswords, learn a new language etc.
Your blog about how to help communicate with loved ones with dementia is inspirational. It’s true you just have to take the first step. I dug up articles my mom wrote for the local paper and put them out so caregivers would have some references about her life and ways to share with her. I have been working long hours, but recently left that job, so now I can spend a little more time with her. I appreciate the helpful direction you have provided in trying to engage my mom, who has lost most of her cognitive communication skills. Thanks.