According to the Alzheimer's Association, Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia.
Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated
with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to
reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia,
which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type.
But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia,
including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and
vitamin deficiencies.
Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile
dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief
that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging.
Learn more by visiting www.alz.com.
Cognitive Companions