What Are the Risk Factors of Developing Dementia?
Dementia encompasses multiple conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, which affects an individual’s cognitive and social abilities to the point independent living can be disrupted. Although many associate memory loss with dementia in older adults, it’s not the definitive symptom. In fact, cognitive issues may indicate your loved one has another condition. In general, dementia occurs as…
How Brain Scans Help Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease
When the signs are recognized, Alzheimer’s disease can be identified in the early stages. However, even when forgetfulness and other indicators are present, the diagnostic process is not always straightforward. Alzheimer’s disease cannot be determined by a single blood test and the evaluation often requires multiple specialists to consult. Also, one set of tests may…
Understanding the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Many people use the terms “Alzheimer’s disease” and “dementia” interchangeably. However, there are several key differences between these two medical conditions. For one, dementia is a broadly applied term used to describe cognitive decline; Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia and the most common cause. As older adults are more at risk for both…
What to Do When a Loved One Shows Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects memory, reasoning and other mental abilities. The condition is most prominent among the older population, but early onset symptoms can affect younger adults. Although it takes an average of 15 years before your loved one shows symptoms of Alzheimer’s, signs become more prominent three to five…