That's why it's important to understand as much as you can about the medical condition you or your loved one might be experiencing. This starts with clarifying your understanding of the diagnosis you're dealing with. That's why we wanted to create this blog. We hope it will assist with this process and in particular, will help you distinguish between two terms that are often confused, dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.

What Distinguishes Dementia from Alzheimer's Disease?

The first thing to understand here, is that Dementia and Altzheimer's Disease are not two separate diseases. Instead, dementia is a general umbrella term for a range of symptoms including a decline in memory, thinking, and social functioning. Dementia can have a range of different causes. One possible cause of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a specific degenerative brain disease characterised by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, leading to the gradual destruction of brain cells and their connections. Alzheimer's disease is in fact the most common cause of dementia in older adults and accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases.

In summary, the best way to think about the difference between Alzheimer's and Dementia is that Alzheimer's Disease is a specific disease whereas dementia is an umbrella term for a cluster of degenerative symptoms. It can have a range of causes, including Alzheimer's Disease.

Why it’s crucial to distinguish between Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia

It's important to understand the difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia because this will help you make sense of the information you're given by doctors and health care professionals. This is essential to ensure you're receiving the best care and treatment possible. It also allows you to be more empowered in decision-making and have more of a sense of control over your own care process.

Accurate diagnosis that correctly distinguishes between the different conditions that lead to dementia, is essential for quality treatment and care. The different types of dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease, require different treatment approaches.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a general term used to describe a cluster of symptoms caused by a range of diseases that affect the brain.

Dementia is a progressive condition. This means that symptoms may be mild at first but worsen over time.

Common symptoms and warning signs

Dementia often begins with early signs and symptoms that include episodes of forgetfulness. As dementia progresses however, a range of symptoms can develop. These include:

Memory Loss: Memory deficits tend to affect short term memory, while long-term memory might remain relatively intact in early stages.

Communication Difficulties: Struggling to find the right words or follow conversations effectively.

Disorientation: Confusion about time or place, even in familiar surroundings.

Problems with Abstract Thinking: Difficulty dealing with numbers, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Poor Judgment: Dementia affects judgment and can lead to individuals making decisions that are socially inappropriate or out of character.

Behaviour and Personality Change: These can include mood swings, agitation, and reluctance to socialise.

Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks: Challenges with completing everyday activities like cooking, driving, or managing finances.

Misplacing Items: Frequently misplacing items and being unable to recall where they are.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

As mentioned, Alzheimer's disease is a specific degenerative brain disease. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are complex and even today, are not well understood. What does appear clear however, is that a buildup of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain form plaques and tangles that cause brain cells to die and connections between brain cells to break down. This disrupts brain function and leads to cognitive decline.

While no single cause of Alzheimer's Disease has been found, risk factors that have been identified for the disease are age, genetic predisposition, heart health, cognitive engagement, gender and social isolation. Head trauma has also been found to be a risk factor.

Treatment options

At present there is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease and so treatment options largely focus on managing symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving quality of life. Some medical treatment options can be of assistance to patients and their caregivers, however.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Medication such as Donepezil and Rivastigmine can help to increase levels of the neurochemical acetylcholine in the brain. This neurochemical is involved in memory and judgment processes.

Memantine

Memantine is for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's Disease. It helps to regulate glutamate activity. Glutamate is a neurochemical involved in learning and memory.

Monoclonal Antibodies

While still in medical trials, these drugs show promise in reducing the progression of the disease. Drugs such as donanemab target the amyloid plaques that lead to disease symptoms.

Other Types of Dementia

As mentioned, Alzheimer's disease is just one type of dementia. While the different types of dementia are often discussed as discreet categories, they often overlap in what is described as mixed dementia. It is also not known who will develop dementia.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by problems with blood flow to the brain. This can often be related to heart disease. Symptoms of vascular dementia can vary widely. Their onset may be slow or sudden.

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia describes a group of conditions characterized by damage to part of the brain near the forehead or behind the ears (the frontal and temporal lobes). This is different from standard dementia that tends to initially affect the prefrontal cortex.

Behavioral changes are often the first symptoms of frontotemporal dementia and often include drastic changes in social behavior, emotional apathy, compulsive actions, and difficulties with language and speech.

Unlike Alzheimer's disease, memory is often preserved in the early stages of frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia can also be a component of mixed dementia.

Lewy bodies

Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia caused by abnormal protein deposits in nerve cells that disrupt electrical signals.

This form of dementia is characterized by symptoms such as fluctuating cognitive abilities, visual hallucinations, and Parkinsonian motor symptoms like rigidity and tremors. Individuals may also experience sleep disturbances and autonomic dysfunction such as a racing pulse.

Parkinson’s disease dementia

Parkinson’s disease dementia is a decline in cognitive ability that often develops in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Creutzfeldt Jakob disease

Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease is a rare, degenerative, brain disorder characterized by rapid mental deterioration, motor function loss and decline in a person's cognitive functioning. It is due to abnormal prion proteins and is usually caused by eating meat containing such proteins.

Causes and Risk Factors

Age and genetics

Age is a main risk factor for dementia, with roughly one-third of people aged 85 years and older having a type of dementia. Genetics also play a role in the development different types of dementia.

Lifestyle factors

Lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, smoking and social isolation, can increase the risk of developing dementia.

Medical conditions and brain injuries

Certain medical conditions, metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hypertension, can also increase the risk of developing dementia. Brain injuries, such as those caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury or repeated brain injuries, can also play a role.

Diagnosis and Treatment

How doctors determine the cause of dementia

Doctors use a combination of a patient's medical history, a physical examination, cognitive and neuropsychological testing and brain imaging to make a diagnosis regarding the cause of an individual's dementia symptoms.

Living with Dementia

How quickly does dementia progress?

Dementia affects people in different ways, making it difficult to predict how quickly a person’s dementia may progress. The rate of progression can vary depending on genetics, age, overall health, and the type of dementia.

Coping with the diagnosis and managing daily life

Coping with a diagnosis of dementia requires a comprehensive plan that includes medical treatment, social support, and lifestyle changes. Managing daily life with dementia requires strategies to compensate for cognitive impairment and memory loss.

Pharmacological Interventions:

Pharmacological interventions depend on the type of dementia an individual has been diagnosed with. Some types of dementia have pharmacological interventions that are more effective than others and these should be guided by your treating doctor.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions:

While these non-pharmacological interventions do not necessarily target the causes of dementia, they can help to maintain independence and quality of life for as long as possible. They are generally relevant for all types of dementia.

1. Cognitive Training:

   • Mental exercises and activities designed to improve memory and cognition can help individuals to function independently for longer.

2. Behavioral Therapy:

   • Strategies to manage symptoms such as aggression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances have also been shown to be effective.

3. Lifestyle and Supportive Measures:

   • Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity can help improve mood and overall health.

   • Healthy Diet: A balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may support brain health.

   • Social Engagement: Staying socially active can help maintain cognitive function.

4. Montessori Strategies:

   • Signage: With most forms of dementia, particular cognitive functions such as the ability to read can remain intact for many years. Montessori signage takes advantage of this to promote independence and autonomy.

   • Task Breakdowns: Task breakdowns can also be used to assist with daily tasks that might otherwise pose a challenge as the disease progresses.

   • Montessori Activities: These activities can be used to help maintain independent functioning with daily tasks such as preparing food and dressing oneself. Focus Care offers Montessori informed care, and our friendly staff are always available to discuss your needs.

How Focus Care Can Help

Informed by the Montessori method and drawing from our own experience of caring for loved ones with dementia, Focus Care has developed an innovative and personalised approach to dementia care designed specifically for people living at home.

We focus on each client’s individual strengths, needs and potential and ensure that clients are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Additionally, we offer tailored programs such as art therapy and pet therapy, reconnecting clients with a sense of self.

If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with dementia and you are located in one of the following areas in Australia, we would love to talk to you. Contact us at 1300 941 750 to arrange a home assessment.

Our commitment is to provide a compassionate and personalized care experience that respects and nurtures each individual's unique journey with dementia.