As September is Alzheimer’s month and this is an important concern for many of my age, I found an article by Interim HealthCare that I found interesting. I hope you do as well.
It's quite common for people to use
Alzheimer's and dementia interchangeably. For family members and others who
love individuals suffering from one of these debilitating conditions, the
nuances may seem trivial. In fact, the notion of "understanding Alzheimer's
vs. dementia" may seem almost unnecessary or confusing in and of itself.
But when battling either of these conditions, knowledge IS power.
It's understandable that so many people
think -- and worry about -- Alzheimer's. It's the sixth-highest cause of death
in America, with over 120,000 deaths per year.
September is World Alzheimer's Awareness
Month, which presents the perfect opportunity to succinctly clear up any
confusion or misconceptions around Alzheimer's vs. dementia. Most importantly,
understanding the differences can help you better understand your loved one and
provide better care.
Understanding Alzheimer's vs. Dementia:
The Definitions
This is a tricky topic to break into similarities
and differences, which you would ordinarily see in this type of post. That's
because the term "dementia" is more of a general term than a disease
unto itself. Dementia is a term that's applied to any cognitive decline that
impacts daily life. It represents a combination of symptoms that impact areas like
memory, emotions, thinking and more.
While some cognitive decline can often be
attributed to the natural progression of age; however, dementia is NOT a
normal sign of ageing.
There are many different types of
dementia, and they are caused by many different things. There is even Mixed
Dementia, which literally means more than one type of dementia is impacting the
brain. This is where Alzheimer's comes
into play.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common
cause of dementia.
Alzheimer's disease was first identified
by Dr. Alois Alzheimer over 100 years ago -- in 1906! Dr. Alzheimer recognized
the two primary indicators of the disease. First, plaque deposits that are
scattered throughout the brain and are ultimately toxic to it. Second, tangles
that interfere with the brain's processes, and which eventually
"choke" living brain cells. As the disease progresses and more brain
cells die, parts of the brain shrink as a result.
Dementia symptoms result from plaque
deposits and tangles, getting progressively worse over time as more brain cells
are killed. Early in the disease, the part of the brain associated with
learning new things is damaged, learning to forgetfulness and many of the
common symptoms most often associated with Alzheimer's disease. Eventually,
individuals with Alzheimer's have more severe symptoms, including difficulty
sleeping, swallowing, and walking.
While there are some medications and
treatments that can address some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's, there is sadly
no cure, nor is there any way to slow down its progress.
Some forms of dementia may respond to
treatment; however, dementia is not reversible in most cases.
For families and individuals facing
Alzheimer's and other dementias, extra help can be especially critical in your
battle. Since Alzheimer's and dementia are progressive, your ability to provide
everything for your loved ones becomes more and more difficult and enacts more
of a toll on you and your own health.
Here at Interim HealthCare, we offer
specialized Alzheimer's home health care services for those who are fighting
Alzheimer's and dementia. Working with you and your loved one's doctor, we map
out the best course of care to keep your loved one safe and healthy at home, if
possible.
An important resource if your family is
facing Alzheimer's or another dementia.
We know that knowledge is truly power when
it comes to the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia. That's why we created
our Dementia
Caregiver's Guide. With tips and advice to help you take care of your loved
one at every stage of dementia, we hope that this guide helps to alleviate some
of the stress your family is facing.
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