Dementia and Alzheimer’s are commonly used interchangeably that people often confuse them to be the same thing.
As a care home in El Cerrito, California, we have several patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Knowing the difference between the two is important when providing them with care and treatment.
Here are some similarities and differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia according to alz.org:
- Dementia is not just one disease. It is a general term used to refer to symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, and other thinking skills. There are multiple types of dementia, and 60 to 80 percent of these are Alzheimer’s cases.
- Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, is a specific degenerative brain disease caused by complex brain changes from cell damage. As it advances, Alzheimer’s symptoms get more severe, eventually affecting speaking, swallowing, and walking. There is no way to prevent, cure, or even slow Alzheimer’s disease.
- While both dementia and Alzheimer’s are related to the decline in brain function and has increased risk with age, none of them is a regular part of aging.
- Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s are prone to wandering, confusion, and getting lost. This is why they require constant care and supervision.
Do you or your loved one need personal care services, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s care? We at Arlington Care Home can help you with your needs.
We provide multiple care programs, such as 24-hour operation and supervision, laundry and housekeeping, planned activity programs, meal preparation, medication management, and others. We also offer hospice care, transportation management, and a residential facility in California.