As Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often used interchangeably, caregivers and family members may confuse the terms. At Home Care Assistance in Oakville, we understand that keeping the differences between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia straight is a challenge. To help clear things up, here are a few of the main differences between the two disorders.
The Major Difference
The main distinction between Alzheimer’s and dementia is that dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms, including cognitive deterioration, and Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes certain symptoms of dementia.
Dementia
Dementia symptoms include the loss or inhibition of important cognitive functions, like linear thought, memory, and reasoning. If your loved one has dementia, he or she has not been diagnosed with a specific disease, but a group of symptoms. As with minor aches and pains, the symptoms of dementia are often apparent, but the specific cause is unknown. Like with a sore throat, the symptoms are obvious, but their cause, whether it is strep throat or something else, is not clear.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is the most frequent cause of dementia, which may be why people are confused about the difference. Although Alzheimer’s shares some dementia symptoms, Oakville Alzheimer’s care experts note other Alzheimer’s symptoms include memory loss, difficulty problem solving and completing common tasks, a lack of time and location awareness, communication difficulties, and mood or personality changes.
When a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it can be difficult to know how to help. Providing your loved one with around-the-clock safety monitoring, assistance with daily tasks, and companionship from a professional caregiver may be the right way to ensure your loved one receives the help he or she deserves. If you want to learn more about the Alzheimer’s or dementia home care Oakville Home Care Assistance offers, contact a Care Manager at (905) 337-1200.