The difference between dementia and Alzheimer's
While dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often used in a similar context, they aren’t the same thing. Dementia acts as an umbrella term used to group symptoms which impact our cognitive function – things like memory loss, difficulty speaking or changes in behaviour. Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia, and is thought to account for around 70% of dementia cases.
Alzheimer’s disease disrupts the function of neurons in our brain and causes the gradual loss of our cognitive abilities. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Whether Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the impact on a person’s daily life is significant and requires specialised care and support.