[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/the-difference-between-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/the-difference-between-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia\/","headline":"The Difference Between Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Dementia","name":"The Difference Between Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Dementia","description":"Many people think that Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia are interchangeable terms for the same medical condition. This is not the case. Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of conditions associated with memory loss.\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s disease, on the other hand, is a specific type of dementia. Let\u2019s look at some of the similarities and […]","datePublished":"2023-03-21","dateModified":"2024-11-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/author\/amorusolaw\/#Person","name":"Amoruso & Amoruso LLP","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/author\/amorusolaw\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12de032c04195e9c39a06a6d6eea182f7b4fa655c20e245f8094a244b5cdd0cb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12de032c04195e9c39a06a6d6eea182f7b4fa655c20e245f8094a244b5cdd0cb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amoruso & Amoruso LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/amoruso-logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/amoruso-logo.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/the-difference-between-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia.png","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/the-difference-between-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia.png","height":858,"width":1536},"url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/the-difference-between-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia\/","about":["Elder Law"],"wordCount":575,"keywords":["Alzheimer\u2019s Disease","Dementia","Elder Law"],"articleBody":"Many people think that Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia are interchangeable terms for the same medical condition. This is not the case. Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of conditions associated with memory loss.\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s disease, on the other hand, is a specific type of dementia. Let\u2019s look at some of the similarities and differences between the two.The Causes and Symptoms of DementiaDementia, in general, is caused by damage to cells in the brain resulting in the damaged cells inability to function the way they normally would. There are a variety of factors that can lead to brain cell damage, and these factors are what often distinguish one type of dementia from another. For instance, what is known as vascular dementia is typically caused by a stroke, whereas Lewy body dementia is caused by protein deposits (Lewy bodies) forming in sections of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, and motor control. Unfortunately, scientists do not know what causes Lewy bodies to form in the first place.While the symptoms of dementia vary from one case to the next, they may include:Loss of memoryDifficulty with planning and organizationDisorientationAn inability to perform complicated tasksAgitation and paranoiaHallucinationsDepressionSpatial and visual challengesThe Causes and Symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s DiseaseAlzheimer\u2019s disease stems from a protein, called beta-amyloid, building up in the brain between nerve cells to from what are known as plaques. There is another protein, called tau, that accumulates in the brain and forms what are called tangles. This results in the neurons of the brain shrinking, and eventually, dying. As with Lewy body dementia, scientists do not know precisely what causes the initial onset of the protein build ups that lead to Alzheimer\u2019s disease.The symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s disease may include:Short-term memory problems, and eventually, loss of long-term memoryConfusionImpaired judgmentRepeating the same questions and statementsGetting lost, even in familiar surroundingsPersonality changesChanges in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and being awake at nightParanoia, delusions, and hallucinationsEventually, an inability to accomplish routine tasks like dressing, preparing food, and even swallowingWhile all forms of dementia are progressive, some types allow for longer life spans than others. For instance, the average life expectancy in cases of Alzheimer\u2019s disease is eight to 10 years, while in cases of vascular dementia the figure is five years.Although there is currently no cure for dementia, the good news is that numerous research studies and clinical trials are exploring ways to diagnose, treat, and manage it. Some medications, including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, have been shown to lessen or delay the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Various strategies have also been developed to improve the quality of life and comfort of people with Alzheimer\u2019s and other forms of dementia. Hopefully, science will soon discover more effective treatments, and ultimately, a cure.If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you can find\u00a0additional information\u00a0and support by visiting\u00a0www.alz.org\u00a0and\u00a0www.dementiasociety.org.Contact an Experienced Elder Law Attorney in New YorkIf you have additional questions or concerns regarding a loved one and dementia, contact the experienced New York Elder Law attorney at Amoruso & Amoruso LLP\u00a0by calling (914) 253-9255 to schedule an appointment.Amoruso & Amoruso, LLP | Elder law attorney in Rye Brook, New York"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Difference Between Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Dementia","item":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/the-difference-between-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]