Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: Understanding the Difference

Have you ever wondered about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease? They're often used interchangeably, and they both cause forgetfulness, so they're basically the same, right? Well, not exactly. Alzheimer's disease and dementia are not the same. In fact, they actually have two separate meanings.

What is Dementia?

Technically, dementia is not any one specific disease or disorder. Rather it's a term that refers to a wide range of symptoms that cause memory loss, communication issues, as well as lack of daily activity performance.

Dementia symptoms can also affect your ability to do everyday chores and errands on your own. Some common symptoms include:

Altered thinking skills
A deterioration in memory
A decline in attention and focus
Lack of good judgment as well as reasoning skills
Communication and language skill changes

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease affects your language, thoughts, as well as memory. It is also the most common form of dementia and tends to get worse over time. The chances of being afflicted with Alzheimer's disease increases with age and can affect younger people as well.

In fact, the symptoms of the two are quite similar. It is important that you receive the correct diagnosis so that you can receive the right treatment plan. Although Alzheimer's disease is one form of dementia, it is not the only one. Other forms of dementia include:

You should also know that Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. But having dementia does not necessarily mean that you have Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's vs. Dementia Symptoms

The symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease tend to overlap. So, it can be challenging to distinguish the differences because both conditions can cause:

Impairment of memory
Communication decline
A slowdown in the ability to think

Alzheimer's symptoms include:

Apathy
Confusion
Depression
Disorientation
Impaired judgment
Behavioral changes
Difficulty remembering conversations or events
In advanced stages, difficulty speaking, walking, and/or swallowing

In addition, certain types of dementia share only some of these symptoms and include or exclude other symptoms that can help make a diagnosis. For instance, Lewy body dementia (LBD) has some of the same latter symptoms as Alzheimer's disease. However, those suffering from LBD are more likely than not to experience initial symptoms like:

Sleep disturbances
Visual hallucinations
Difficulties with balance

If you have dementia as a result of Huntington's or Parkinson's disease, during the earlier stages, you are more likely to develop involuntary movement.

Differences in Treating Dementia vs. Alzheimer's

The type of dementia that you are diagnosed with will determine your treatment. However, a lot of dementia treatments tend to overlap with Alzheimer's treatments.

About Alzheimer's Treatments

Great News! The FDA just recently approved Aduhelm (aducanumab). This is the first novel therapy approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease since 2003. It was approved utilizing the Accelerated Approval pathway, which allows the FDA to approve a medication for its ability to provide therapeutic benefits through a sort of fast-track system. Learn more about Aduhelm here.

In addition, common treatment options for managing Alzheimer's disease symptoms include:

Depression medications
Medications to combat memory loss
Medications for changes in your sleep
Antipsychotic and behavioral issue medications
Consider alternative remedies that target your overall health, including brain function, like coconut as well as fish oil.

About Dementia Treatments

Treating the underlying condition that is causing dementia may offer some assistance in treatment. Some conditions likely to respond to treatment include:

The treatment will also depend on the cause of dementia. Since there are many types of treatments as well as causes. They can be managed when you have the correct medications. This is why getting the proper diagnosis is important.

People living with dementia can benefit from supportive services from home health aides and other caregivers as well. In fact, Senior Helpers - Milwaukee can provide the assistance needed for people living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusion

Are you concerned that you have symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's disease? Prompt treatment is important. Or, if you have a loved one living with Alzheimer's or dementia and need assistance, call us at (414) 404-9933 or contact us here. See how Senior Helpers as well as our Senior Gems program can help!

At Senior Helpers — Milwaukee, we'll work with you to develop a personalized home care plan that will change as you or your loved one's needs change. In the meantime, take a look at our blog over here.