September 20, 2016
Tips from the Caregiver Experts: Alzheimer’s Disease vs. Dementia
Ever wonder about the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? Are they the same? Are they related? Here’s a tip from Kim Robertson, RN, our Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Coordinator and caregiver expert:
“Dementia is a term for a collection of symptoms. It is not a disease in itself. It is a chronic decline in mental function that is severe enough to interfere with the ability to participate in daily activities. It occurs slowly. It can be reversible or irreversible, depending on the cause. Reversible dementia can be caused by medications, vitamin deficiency, stroke, head trauma, etc. Irreversible dementia can be caused by conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
“It is important to evaluate the symptoms of dementia early in efforts to make treatment successful. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia. It is a progressive and irreversible disease that leads to brain cell death and loss of cognitive function. The root cause of the damage is due to plaques and tangles in the brain, as well as the lack of the chemical Acetylcholine. There are three stages with this disease: Early, Middle and Late. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are medications that can slow the progression of the disease.”
Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more tips from our caregiver experts at the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Center in Pine Bluff!