Often times the reference to Alzheimer’s and Dementia are used interchangeably. Many people assume these two are similar diseases, but Alzheimer’s is actually a type of Dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease but more an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms. Forms of Dementia are caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which damages and eventually kills brain cells. What causes reduced blood flow? Narrowing and blocking small blood vessels inside the brain will result in the blood supply being cut off to part of the brain.
The symptoms under the Dementia umbrella affect one’s ability to perform an array of everyday functions that they normally would perform without much thought. The symptoms can range from memory decline to poor judgment to decreased focus or attention. Some people affected by dementia experience changes in their language and communication and diminished thinking skills in general. There is no "cure" for Dementia, and since Dementia can be caused by many different diseases, there will never be one single cure for Dementia as a condition. However, ongoing research is being conducted in an effort to discover cures for “dementia causing diseases” such as Alzheimer’s.
Since Alzheimer’s is the most commonly known form of Dementia, it is likely the reason many believe Dementia and Alzheimer's are the same. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that specifically affects the part of the brain that controls thought, memory and language. Alzheimer’s begins with mild memory loss and can advance to a complete inability to function in regular environments, hold conversations and ultimately carry out everyday activities independently. Alzheimer’s can be a very sad digression to witness as loved ones eventually no longer recognize family members, will start to forget about personal hygiene, become angry and aggressive and even wander from home. At this point, people living with Alzheimer's will inevitably require total care. When this happens, families must work together to focus on what is important and how they can move forward to take the best care of their loved ones.
