There is a common misconception among people that dementia and Alzheimer's are the same thing. But this isn’t the case. dementia is the general term used to describe symptoms that impact memory, daily activities and communication.
The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer's is a progressive neurological disorder that gets worse with time and affects memory, language and other cognitive abilities. Although young people can develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the risk significantly increases as people age and get older.
Dementia or Alzheimer’s is most common in adults over the age of 65, but these are not a regular part of ageing.
What is dementia?
According to estimates from the World Health Organisation, more than 55 million people around the globe have dementia.
Dementia is not a disease, but a syndrome. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that do not have a definitive diagnosis. Dementia affects mental cognitive abilities, including memory and judgement of situations. It can occur due to various conditions, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease.
People can have more than one type of dementia. This condition is known as mixed dementia. People with mixed dementia have symptoms of two or more types of dementia. A diagnosis of mixed dementia can only be confirmed in an autopsy.
As this condition progresses, it can have a huge impact on the quality of life of the individual and cause distress to their family. Dementia is also the fifth leading cause of death globally, and cases are expected to triple over the next 30 years.
Symptoms of dementia
Initial symptoms of dementia can be hard to detect and easily overlooked. Dementia often begins when the person experiences rare episodes of forgetfulness. People with dementia have trouble keeping track of time and tend to lose their way in familiar settings.
As the disease progresses, their symptoms can start to worsen. They might experience forgetfulness and confusion more often, and find it difficult to recall names and faces. They can face trouble in completing daily tasks and chores. In later stages, the dementia patient will not be able to care for themselves and has trouble with behaviour and mood.
Causes of dementia
The risk of developing dementia increases as you age. Dementia occurs because certain brain cells are damaged. Several conditions cause it such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease. Each of these affects a different area of the brain.
However, there are several other causes of dementia as well, such as infections (i.e HIV), vascular diseases, stroke and depression.
Some of the most common types of dementia are:
Vascular dementia
Parkinson’s disease dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
Posterior cortical atrophy
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Mixed dementia
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
Huntington’s disease
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Dementia is a general term for a group of symptoms that impact cognitive abilities, while Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease of the brain.
The effects of Alzheimer’s on the brain
Alzheimer’s disease causes your brain cells to die and leads to the breakdown of connections between them. The disease also leads to the build-up of protein deposits in the brain called plaques and tangles.
Plaques are clusters of protein that hinder communication between nerve cells. While tangles are twisted, protein deposits lead to the death of healthy brain cells. In later stages, the disease can also lead to brain shrinkage.
It can be extremely difficult to get a correct diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. The only way to confirm this is through an autopsy after the death of the patient. But thanks to advances in the medical field, most specialists can make an accurate diagnosis 90 per cent of the time.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s vs. dementia?
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia can overlap with some differences. The symptoms that are similar between the two conditions are:
A decline in the ability to think
Memory impairment
Communication impairment
An Alzheimer’s patient can have difficulty recalling past events, they can have depression, and their ability to judge situations can become impaired.
With Alzheimer's, a person can experience disorientation and confusion with abrupt changes in behaviour and personality.
The above-mentioned symptoms can also be found in some dementia patients, and depending on the symptoms they have, the correct diagnosis can be made.
How is Alzheimer’s vs. dementia treated?
There is no cure for these conditions, but their symptoms can be managed using different treatments. Most of these treatments overlap because the symptoms of both conditions are similar.
Alzheimer’s treatment:
Your doctor can prescribe you antipsychotics, medication for memory loss, sleep changes and depression. Moreover, you can opt for different therapies that can help manage your symptoms.
Dementia treatment:
Since dementia is a syndrome and not a disease, certain symptoms respond to treatment. The right medication can help manage dementia.
For example, Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia can be treated with cholinesterase inhibitors.
Treatment for vascular dementia will focus on preventing further damage to the brain’s blood vessels and preventing stroke.
In short, dementia and Alzheimer's patients will have to drastically alter their lifestyles to accommodate the cognitive decline caused by their condition. They can opt for treatments, but they will only offer temporary relief.
In the long run, you or your loved one diagnosed with this condition will have to get personalised care for themselves, because they will not be able to take care of themselves and their household.
Home Care Services for your loved one diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's
If you have a loved one diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's, you would know how challenging it can be for them to maintain their quality of life. It can also affect their overall well-being, and also affect the rest of the family members.
This is where home care services come in. Personalised care or domiciliary care services at home are designed to help people with chronic conditions.
At Abney & Baker, we provide award-winning home care services for your loved one diagnosed with dementia-related conditions. Our professional home carers will ensure your loved one is provided with the right care and support, while maintaining their dignity and privacy.
To avail of our professional Home Care Services in Melksham and surrounding areas, you can visit our website here: https://www.abneyandbaker.com/home-care-services-melksham
Helping your loved one to continue living independently and confidently in their own home.
By providing a range of support at home, we’re helping many clients across Bath & North East Somerset and West Wiltshire retain their independence and stay in control in the comfort of their own homes.
Remember we’re always here if you want to chat about your care options. Just get in touch:
Call 0333 043 4880 - Email enquiries@abneyandbaker.com - Book a call here