2. Dementia. Alzheimer's.
What's the difference?
Dementia Alzheimer’s
Word for a group of Progressive,
Symptoms caused by degenerative disorder
disorders that affect the that attacks the brain’s
brain. nerve cells and neurons.
Not a specific disease Results in loss of
memory, thinking and
Affects the ability to languages skills.
remember how to
execute certain daily Often results in
tasks. behavioral changes
3. What is Dementia?
Dementia is a general
Loss of
term.
• Memory
Describes a group of
symptoms. • Judgment
Alzheimer’s is a • Language
classification of Dementia. • Complex motor
skills
Each type is
characterized by different • Intellectual function
pathologic, or structural,
changes in the brain
4. What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s Disease is a degenerative disorder.
The neurons which produce acetylcholine, the
brain chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter,
breaks connections with other nerve cells and
dies.
Alzheimer’s Disease is not a normal part of
aging.
Most common cause of dementia.
* Found in 60% of dementia patients over the
age of 65
5. The First Case of
Alzheimer’s.
Named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer.
Origins of the disease date all the way back to
1906.
Dr. Alzheimer, a German physician, presented a
case before a medical meeting of a 51-year-old
woman suffering from a rare brain disorder.
A brain autopsy identified the plaques and
tangles characterized today with Alzheimer’s
disease.
6. Warning Signs of
Dementia.
What to watch out for
• Onset of new
• Relying on memory depression or irritability
helpers
• Making bad decisions
• Trouble finding words
• Personality changes
• Struggling to complete
familiar actions • Loss of interest in
important
• Confusion about time, responsibilities
place or people
• Seeing or hearing things
• Misplacing familiar
objects • Expressing false beliefs
7. Warning Sings of
Alzheimer’s.
Typical warning sings • Loss of words
• Memory loss of recent • Failure to complete
events, names, and sentences
placement of objects.
• Poor judgment
• Confusion about time and
place. • Changes in mood or
personality, increased
• Difficulty completing familiar suspicion, and withdrawal.
actions or tasks.
• Disinterested in usual
• Failure to follow directions or activities.
conversations.
• Difficulty with complex
mental assignments, or
tasks involving numbers
8. Diagnosis of Dementia.
Dementia is diagnosed Intellectual Areas
accurately 90% of the
time. • Amnesia
Dozens of other • Aphasia
causes of memory
loss.
Accurate diagnosis is
critical for treatment.
Clinically diagnosed
dementia requires
cognitive loss in or
more intellectual areas.
9. Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s also Tools used for Diagnosis
diagnosed accurately
90% of the time. • Complete medical
history
Can only be confirmed by
Autopsy. • Lab tests
Accurate diagnosis is • Physical exam
critical in deciphering
between Alzheimer’s and • Brain scans
other non permanent
• Neuro-psychological
causes of memory lose.
tests that gauge;
The sooner the 1. Memory
diagnosis, the easier it is 2. Attention
to manage symptoms and 3. Language skills
plan for the future. 4. Problem-solving
abilities
10. Symptoms of Dementia
and Alzheimer’s.
Cognitive Psychiatric
Amnesia
Aphasia
Apraxia
Agnosia
Personality
changes
Depression
Hallucinations
Delusions
11. Alzheimer’s Treatment.
There is no know cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.
The FDA has approved several medications for the
Treatment of Alzheimer’s
These medications can provide some relief of
symptoms and may slow the decline of the diseases
effects.
Researchers support behavioral management
intervention.
Education and counseling is often given to caregivers
of older adults pertaining to Alzheimer’s and
Dementia.
12. Alzheimer’s Statistics.
As many as 5.1 million Americans may have
Alzheimer’s disease.
The number of cases is rising in line with the
aging population.
The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease double
every five years beyond age 65.
About half a million Americans younger than age
65 have some form of dementia, including
Alzheimer’s disease.
13. Other Forms of Dementia.
Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease
(CJD)
Dementia with Lewy
Bodies
Frontotemporal Dementia
Huntington’s Disease
Normal Pressure
Hydrocephalus
Parkinson’s Dementia
Wernicke-Korsakoff
Intellectual areasAmnesia (loss of memory)Aphasia (inability to communicate effectively)
Intellectual areasAmnesia (loss of memory)Aphasia (inability to communicate effectively)
Amnesia is loss of memoryAphasia is inability to communicate effectivelyApraxia is inability to do pre-programmed motor tasksAgnosia is individuals inability to correctly interpret signals from there five senses.
