Blog Layout

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease

Feb 27, 2019

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, while often used interchangeably, are not the same thing.

It’s devastating to find out that a loved one has Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. After all, much about these conditions is still a mystery–to both the medical community and the average person.

This lack of knowledge can create distress for the individuals being diagnosed, as well as for their families.

Here’s what you should know when comparing Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.


What is Dementia?

Surprisingly, dementia is not classified as an actual condition. Rather, 

it’s an umbrella term that refers to a number of symptoms of abnormal cognitive decline.

While memory loss is common in individuals with dementia, changes in memory are caused by other underlying diseases. So a person who has memory issues doesn’t necessarily have dementia.

While age-related memory loss is a normal part of getting older, memory loss related to dementia is not normal. In fact, the brain cell damage associated with dementia is significant enough to negatively impact a person’s ability to function. This can take the form of short-term memory loss, difficulty in thought organization and even personality changes.


What Causes Dementia?

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases.

In dementia caused by Alzheimer’s Disease, excess proteins inside and outside brain cells impact those cells’ ability to communicate. Cell death eventually occurs, leading to compromised function in that area of the brain.

Dementia can also be caused by traumatic brain injuries, vascular disorders and diseases like HIV.

Treatment options for dementia vary depending on the symptoms’ underlying cause. Some forms of dementia can be treated using occupational therapy or medications that strengthen cognition. Dementia caused by thyroid malfunction, excessive alcohol consumption, or medication usage can even be reversed.

Lewy body dementia is the third most common cause of dementia, and is the second most progressive form of the disease. It is caused by the formation of Lewy bodies in the nerve cells in the brain.

In the majority of dementia cases, symptoms worsen over time.


Symptoms of Dementia

While dementia is common, it is not a normal part of aging. The most common symptoms of dementia are:

  • Memory loss
  • Difficulty with problem-solving or planning
  • Decreased motor function
  • Decreased coordination
  • Difficulty organizing or executing complex tasks
  • Decreased ability to pay attention
  • Increased agitation or irritability
  • Depressive symptoms, lack of interest in normal hobbies or activities


If you or a loved one is experiencing significant short-term memory loss, don’t ignore it. Visit your doctor to explore the causes.


What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease–a type of dementia–is an irreversible disorder of the brain that slowly destroys cognitive function. The disease gets worse over time, and cannot be cured.


Alzheimer’s primarily affects people over the age of 65. When the disease is diagnosed in an individual younger than 65, it is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

The causes of early onset AD are similar to those of later-onset cases. However, many researchers believe genetics play a bigger role in early-onset cases.


What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

One of the key contributors to Alzheimer’s Disease is 

the formation beta amyloid plaques between nerve cells in the brain.

Beta amyloids are fragments of a bigger protein called amyloid precursor protein. In a healthy brain, these beta amyloid fragments are broken down and eliminated from the body.

In the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s, however, the proteins stick together and create hard plaques. These plaques disrupt normal cellular function in the brain, causing inflammation and eventual cell death.

As the brain cells die, cognitive function is diminished. Memory loss is a key side effect of Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline.


What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by number of symptoms and side effects:

  • Losing things
  • Forgetting recently learned information
  • Struggling to find words during conversation
  • Increased anxiety
  • Increased irritability
  • Increased aggression
  • Issues paying bills or managing money
  • Getting lost, especially in familiar places
  • Mood swings or personality fluctuations
  • Noticeably short attention span


As Alzheimer’s Disease progresses, an individual may suffer from hallucinations or paranoia. He or she may not be able to use the toilet, bathe, dress, or eat independently. He or she may eventually have trouble getting out of bed and ambulating independently.

Individuals with late-stage Alzheimer’s Disease need round-the-clock care and constant supervision.


Care for People with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia in Arkansas

It can be overwhelming for family members to provide the specialized care a person with memory problems needs.


In response to this need for specialized care, many assisted living facilities have expanded to include memory care units.

Memory care units are staffed by healthcare providers who are trained in caring for people with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. These facilities are closely regulated and must uphold the facility standards outlined by their state.

In Arkansas, facilities that specialize in memory care are classified as Level II Assisted Living facilities. Within those facilities, memory care wings are known as Alzheimer’s Special Care Units (ASCUs). These units offer specialized care and treatment for people suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia.


Arkansas Alzheimer’s Special Care Units

In Arkansas, ASCUs are required to perform a physical and psychosocial assessment of each new resident. This information helps the facility staff offer care that meets the resident’s unique needs.
Arkansas ASCUs are required to have certain design features, including :


  • A floor plan that does not require visitors or staff to travel through the memory care unit to get to other parts of the facility
  • A common space that can be used for dining, family visits or other activities
  • Outdoor spaces and walkways that can be secured so that residents remain under the supervision of facility staff
  • Contrasting colors of doors, walls and ceilings in areas of residential use
  • Minimized design and detail on exterior doors, access halls, elevators, and emergency exits


ASCUs must also maintain certain standards of environment for residents:

  • ASCUs must be built so that residents can freely enter and leave their own residential areas
  • Residents must be able to freely access common areas
  • Common areas, hallways and passageways must be free of obstructions that can cause tripping’
  • Residential rooms must be designed so that residents can identify their own space
  • Residential rooms must have non-reflective floors, ceilings and walls to minimize glare and harsh, irritating lighting


Residents in ASCUs in Level II Assisted Living Facilities must be evaluated on an ongoing basis. This ensures that the facility is providing the level of care that each resident needs. When an individual’s condition deteriorates so that they need 24-hour care, a new care plan may be needed.


The Brookfield Senior Living and Memory Care in Arkansas

Do you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia in Arkansas?

 A trusted memory care facility can help him or her live better.

The Brookfield Senior Living and Memory Care offers Level I and Level II Assisted Living facilities, staffed by trained professionals. We offer memory care units in Bella Vista, Hot Springs and Fort Smith, AR.

Contact our team today to learn more about our facilities and how we can help your loved one.

21 Mar, 2023
Having a hobby can help you to stay mentally and physically active, as well as provide a sense of purpose. Hobbies can be anything. It could be gardening, joining a book club, or even playing video games. Engaging in leisure activities can help promote a healthy lifestyle and alleviate boredom.
28 Feb, 2023
The cost of long-term care for seniors can be high, but certain veteran benefits can help to offset these costs. The US Department of Veteran Affairs offers benefits like disability compensation, VA pension, or long-term care assistance based on specific requirements. Veterans whose income exceeds the legal limit for a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit if they have significant medical expenses that are not reimbursed.
07 Feb, 2023
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common and serious complication after a stroke. Studies show that almost one-third of stroke survivors are affected by depression. Unfortunately, it's largely unrecognized, underdiagnosed, and under-treated.
10 Jan, 2023
Caregiver fatigue is a state of burnout when a caregiver reaches the point of psychological, emotional, and physical exhaustion. It may result in a shift in outlook from positivity and concern to pessimism and indifference; as a caregiver, you may often put the needs of the ill or elderly person you are looking after ahead of yours.
05 Dec, 2022
Do you worry about your senior relative’s driving skills? As people age, their hearing, vision, and reflexes might deteriorate. If the senior is dealing with dementia, Alzheimer's, or other cognitive conditions, the risk of motor accidents is higher.
01 Nov, 2022
The holiday season is here, and we all look forward to spending quality time with our loved ones. While we enjoy special meals at home and go out and do multiple things to create everlasting memories, holidays can be stressful and may heighten the feeling of isolation and sadness in our older loved ones.
11 Oct, 2022
A memory care facility is a place where long-term care is given to those living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of progressive-degenerative dementia. They receive personalized support from memory care specialists. Although, it may seem more appropriate to use the term “community” instead of “facility,” since the word “facility” can bring up images of a place that seems more like a cold, detached building or a hospital.
01 Sep, 2022
Active senior living is a way of life for retirees who want to make the most of their lives and live as independently as possible. Most active senior living communities offer assisted living, independent living, and life care facilities, too.
01 Aug, 2022
Losing a loved one is one of the biggest challenges that older people face. The demise of those near and dear could leave an older adult with grief beyond words and loneliness. Friends and family give us a reason to live, add value to life, and their loss cannot be replaced. Old age is a time when people are delicate and vulnerable, both emotionally and physically. While going through this stage, seniors must be motivated to live on.
Share by: