How is dementia and Alzheimer's alike or unalike?

Every time I present a talk on Alzheimer's disease, someone asks the question "What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's? Or are they the same?"
This is an exerpt from this week's Alzheimer and Dementia Weekly.

Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a descriptive term for a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of disorders that affect the brain. People with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with normal activities and relationships. They also lose their ability to solve problems and maintain emotional control, and they may experience personality changes and behavioral problems such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations. While memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has dementia. Doctors diagnose dementia only if two or more brain functions - such as memory, language skills, perception, or cognitive skills including reasoning and judgment - are significantly impaired without loss of consciousness.


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My blog

I will be posting articles of interest to caregivers in addition to my own. I would appreciate your feedback on this decision. I'll also post some excerpts from my second book, untitled as yet. Comments on any or all entries is appreciated.

Second Edition

I've been thinking about how much I've learned since I finished writing Matters of the Mind two years ago, and how many more wonderful stories of caregiving I've heard and been privy to. And some people have asked when the 2nd edition is coming. Since I'm a new author I have not a clue how a 2nd edition gets created and published. But, I will write it, as soon as I find out how. I imagine one expands on what is there already and adds new learnings, stories, research findings, etc. I'm already jotting notes about some funny and some less funny stories that have to be included. Add yours here and I'll put them in the book. I invite you to send them to me at StilMee@comcast.net

FAQ

There are questions that are asked AND questions that should be asked by the caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's or a related memory disorder. Here they are.

FAQ:

1. She accuses me of things I didn’t do; how should I respond?
2. Does every Alzheimer patient get violent?
3. How will I know when to look for a nursing home?
4. Can Alzheimer’s be prevented and how?
5. Can a person catch Alzheimer’s? I don’t remember things lately.
6. How long does this disease last?
7. Should I take fish oil? Does diet matter?
Questions that should be asked---
1. Is getting a diagnosis by a neurologist necessary?
2. What is he experiencing; can I understand it?
3. What do I need to know as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimers?
4. Is there any other treatment besides medicine?
5. What happens at a diagnostic workup?
6. What are the resources I should know about in my area?
7. Should I go to a support group? Why? Do they really help?

What are your questions?