Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease: What Is the Difference? This is probably what families first look up when they notice the signs of cognitive impairment in a loved one or receive a diagnosis. The situation can become so distressing that even the calmest family member may worry about their loved one’s future.

Families must know that while both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are related, they are still different. Dementia is an umbrella term referring to a collection of symptoms linked to cognitive decline. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s refers to a specific type of dementia that causes that decline.

Knowing the difference between the two is often a family’s first step before making decisions about a loved one’s future care. To help them understand these related but distinct cognitive conditions, here’s a blog explaining what exactly Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are. We’ve explained how both conditions affect people, how they’re diagnosed, and how memory care helps.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disorder caused by changes in the brain that cause the death of brain cells. It’s a specific type of dementia, accounting for almost 60-80% of all dementias. The changes in the brain are caused by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, both of which are abnormal protein buildups and are known as the disease’s hallmarks.

As the disease progresses, it begins interfering with the normal functioning of neurons responsible for everyday activities. The buildup impairs neurons’ functioning and causes them to die. In advanced stages, the severe loss of neurons causes the brain to atrophy, or shrink, over time.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s:

  • Trouble learning new things
  • Personality or mood changes
  • Trouble with routine tasks
  • Feeling disoriented
  • Difficulty with self-expression
  • Forgetfulness and confusion

What Is Dementia?

Dementia isn’t a disease itself but a term used to describe the group of symptoms that affect one’s cognitive abilities, memory, reasoning, thinking, and behavior. It’s also defined as a loss of memory over time and other crucial mental functions, along with mood or behavior changes that cause difficulty with daily functioning.

There are different types of dementia. It’s not a part of normal aging but a result of brain damage to brain cells that causes different issues. After Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia is the most common type of dementia, caused by cardiovascular changes that lead to reduced blood flow to the brain.

Other types and causes of dementia include:

  • Lewy body dementia
  • Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Mixed dementia
  • Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  • Parkinson’s disease dementia

Here are some of the most common symptoms of dementia:

  • Memory loss
  • Struggling with complex mental tasks
  • Difficulty with planning
  • Language and communication difficulty
  • Cognitive and executive decline
  • Changes in visual perception
  • Mood and personality changes

Key Differences Between The Two

For both families and individuals experiencing cognitive difficulties, it’s crucial to learn the key differences between the two ailments. Knowing how they differ can help them feel empowered about their present and future care options.

Here’s how both conditions vary:

Classification

Alzheimer’s disease is classified as a specific degenerative brain disease that is the most common type of dementia. On the other hand, dementia is a general term for a decline in one’s mental ability.

Probable Causes

Alzheimer’s is caused by the loss and death of brain cells due to the abnormal buildup of two proteins—amyloid-beta and tau. Dementia is caused by physical changes in the brain that can stem from various diseases and conditions.

Diagnosis

Methods used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease include medical history, mental status tests, diagnostic tests, physical and neurological exams, and brain imaging. A dementia diagnosis involves reviewing the individual’s medical history, cognitive and physical tests, and lab work or brain scans. There isn’t a single test for diagnosing dementia. Instead, a doctor evaluates a person’s daily functioning, memory changes, and overall health to confirm the condition and rule out other issues.

How Are Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia Diagnosed?

Diagnosing both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is never easy. For Alzheimer’s, physicians typically use medical history, mental status tests, physical and neurological exams, diagnostic tests, and brain imaging. Diagnostic tests also include blood tests to detect Alzheimer’s biomarkers for the presence of early tau and amyloid brain pathology.

Dementia diagnoses usually involve conducting various tests to rule out the possibility of other conditions. Symptoms caused by different brain changes and types of dementia can overlap. This makes it challenging for the doctor to determine exactly which type of dementia the individual has. In cases like these, the doctor may suggest seeing a specialist like a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or geriatrician to confirm which form of dementia the individual has.

Treatment Available For Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia

Currently, there is no cure or treatment available to stop dementia’s progression. Two treatments—donanemab (Kisunla®) and lecanemab (Leqembi®)—have shown promising results in reducing cognitive and functional decline in those with early Alzheimer’s. Certain medications are prescribed to manage the symptoms of various forms of dementia. Experts recommend medical care and lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms of dementia and slow cognitive decline. Individuals may also choose specialized memory care support that fosters a healthy lifestyle and helps with daily functioning.

Bayshire Torrey Pines – A Trusted Memory Care For All Kinds Of Dementia

At Bayshire Torrey Pines, we understand that there are certain key differences between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dementia is the broader category that includes various conditions linked to cognitive decline, while Alzheimer’s is just one of those ailments. Think of Alzheimer’s disease as one type of dementia among several others. Alzheimer’s accounts for around 60-80% of all recorded dementias.

The information above summarizes the major differences between the two conditions. No matter which form of dementia someone is living with, seeking professional care at the right time is essential. For that, you can trust Bayshire Torrey Pines. As a comprehensive memory care community, we offer person-centered care programs designed to address all kinds of dementia. With staff available 24 hours a day, regular social programming, three tailored meals, and a wide range of amenities, we foster a highly engaging daily living experience.

To learn more about our specialized dementia care community, you can schedule a tour.