DEMENTIA, WHAT IS IT, AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM ALZHEIMERS?
Everyone has common knowledge or a roundabout idea as to what dementia actually is, and how it affects people’s lives and their futures. Dementia and Alzhiemers have common misconceptions and many cannot define the difference between the two in any detail. The implications the two can cause can significantly impact the victims of them and their surrounding loved ones.
It is a term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with your daily life. It isn’t a specific disease, but several diseases can cause dementia. Though dementia generally involves memory loss, memory loss has different causes.
Dementia is not a disease itself. It’s a collection of symptoms that result from damage to the brain caused by different diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. These symptoms vary according to the part of the brain that is damaged. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not.
Learning about the two terms and the difference between them is important and can empower individuals living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, their families and their caregivers with necessary knowledge.
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage. It leads to dementia symptoms that gradually worsen over time. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.
As Alzheimer’s advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion and behavior changes. Eventually, speaking, swallowing and walking become difficult.
CCG provides specialist care for people with Dementia at our care homes, ensuring that individuals with the condition continue to live their life to the fullest.
Get in touch with us today or visit our website now to see how we can help you and your loved ones.