The Differences Between Dementia And Alzheimer’s
You may have noticed a small change in your parent, spouse or loved one. They forget things on a more frequent basis. Or they have trouble remembering even the simplest things. Is that a sign of dementia? Or is it the start of Alzheimer’s?
Here is a guide to help you understand the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Dementia is defined as a significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory capacity, severe enough to interfere with social and occupational functioning. The social and financial burden on families can be nothing short of overbearing. Unlike Alzheimer’s, dementia man occur at any age for a variety of reasons.
The type of dementia that is seen among younger adults is called reversible dementia. Reversible dementia is usually temporary and may result from dehydration, medical errors, accidents, or head trauma. This form of dementia is typically treated through medical intervention and as the name implies; can be reversed.
The other type of dementia is known as non-reversible dementia which generally appears in older adults. This form of dementia gets progressively worse over time and eventually leads to death.
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Current statistics indicate 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease. The numbers will increase to 14 million by the middle of the century, with a new case developing every 70 seconds. Alzheimer’s is almost exclusively limited to the elderly population. However, early onset Alzheimer’s can effect adults in their fifties, with cases involving adults in their 50’s and even 40’s expected to rise dramatically.
Alzheimer’s is generally characterized by memory loss and the inability to perform routine tasks. It is not uncommon for those with Alzheimer’s to forget birthdays, how to manage money, and the names of family members. In some cases, spouses may even forget the names of their life long partners and may not recognize them as they move towards the end of life.
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