Lauren Lee | April 1, 2025 - Atlanta, GA

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences between the two terms. 

Dementia is not a specific disease in and of itself. Rather, it is a general term used to describe symptoms of cognitive decline due to damage to brain cells. There is a wide variety in the way that the cells are damaged. The symptoms of dementia include loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. 

Many different diseases have dementia as a symptom, one of which is Alzheimer’s disease. It accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. 

The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age. Most cases occur in those who are 65+. While some memory loss and cognitive decline is a normal part of aging, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. 

The early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease are: 

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgement
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood or personality

In conclusion, dementia is more of an umbrella term that often includes Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is not solely limited to those with Alzheimer's. It is one of the defining symptoms of Alzheimer’s, hence the common misconception that they are one and the same.