Understanding Dementia Begins with Learning

Learn more about the basics of living with dementia

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What is Dementia?

Cognitive decline can alter routines, emotions, and connections

An older woman holding a cane sits on a couch while a caregiver in scrubs stands behind her, smiling and placing a hand on her shoulder.

Dementia isn’t just a single disease. It is a general term that describes a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. It often progresses gradually, and its impact can look different from person to person.

Common symptoms of dementia may include:

  • Difficulty with memory or confusion about time and place
  • Trouble with problem-solving or complex tasks
  • Challenges in communication or finding the right words
  • Changes in judgment or decision-making
  • Withdrawal from social activities or loved ones
  • Shifts in mood, personality, or behavior

What Are the Different Types of Dementia?

Understanding the forms dementia can take

While Alzheimer’s disease is the most recognized type, related dementias can stem from a range of conditions. Each one affects the brain in a unique way and may present distinct symptoms.

 

Types of dementia include:

 

  • Alzheimer’s, which is characterized by gradual memory loss, confusion, and disorientation.
  • Vascular Dementia, that is often linked to stroke or reduced blood flow to the brain, that can lead to changes in thinking and physical coordination.
  • Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD), which impacts language, personality, and behavior early on, sometimes before memory is affected.
  • Lewy Body Dementia, that involves vivid visual hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and symptoms similar to Parkinson’s.
  • Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, which appears in the later stages of Parkinson’s, often with slowed thinking, memory loss, and movement challenges.
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How is Dementia Diagnosed?

Through a careful, multi-step process led by professionals

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Diagnosing dementia requires more than one test. It often involves a combination of medical evaluations, cognitive assessments, and input from family and caregivers.

A typical assessment might include:

  • Thorough medical history and symptom review
  • Physical exam and neurological testing
  • Cognitive and memory screening tools
  • Brain imaging (such as MRI or CT scans)
  • Lab tests to rule out other conditions
  • Interviews with family or close companions