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    Angela Lunde

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  • Alzheimer's blog

  • Sept. 27, 2007

    Alzheimer's disease and dementia are different

    By Angela Lunde

324 comments posted

My sincere appreciation to all of you who have posted a comment or two on this new blog, I am elated by the rapid interest! Your exchange of stories, ideas, and challenges, along with the compassionate support you are giving one another, is exactly what I hope this blog can provide. As one individual stated, "Your experiences will comfort me."

Know that I will weigh in from time to time on some of the issues that surface, but for this blog, the real experts will be all of you impacted in one way or another by Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Each of you can provide a depth of knowledge shaped by your own circumstances; when it comes to a devastating disease like AD, sometimes simply an exchange of experiences is what matters most. I will, however, comment on themes and general issues that emerge and provide links to resources that I think can be beneficial.

For this entry, let me just state that there is often confusion and misunderstanding with the terms Alzheimer's disease and dementia, but there is a distinct difference.

The term dementia refers to a set of symptoms, not the disease itself. These symptoms might include language difficulty, loss of recent memory or poor judgment. In other words, when an individual is said to have dementia they are exhibiting certain symptoms. With a thorough screening including blood tests (to rule out other causes of dementia such as vitamin deficiency), a mental status evaluation, neuropsychological testing, and sometimes a brain scan, doctors can accurately diagnose the cause of the dementia symptoms in 90 percent of the cases. (It is true however, that Alzheimer's can be diagnosed with complete accuracy only after death, using a microscopic examination of brain tissue, which checks for plaques and tangles).

Although Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-70 percent of cases of dementia, other disorders that cause dementia include: Vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy Bodies and Frontotemporal dementia.

In the early stages of a disease, there can be some clear differences between the diseases. For example, in dementia with Lewy Bodies (the second most common cause of dementia) early symptoms of the disease may not be so much forgetfulness, but lowered attention span, recurrent visual hallucinations, and a fluctuation between periods of lucidity (or clear thinking) followed by periods of confusion. However, as the specific disease advances, more parts of the brain become affected, and the differences from one cause of dementia to another are subtle.

In concluding my entry today, I'd like to pose a question: You may have heard the saying, "When you've met one person with Alzheimer's, you've met one person with Alzheimer's disease." In other words, no two persons are similar in how the disease impacts them. This holds true for caregivers as well. If you have seen how Alzheimer's disease (or related dementia) impacts one caregiver, you have seen how it impacts one caregiver. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a similar dementia, how has it impacted you, more importantly, how do you cope?

Keep posting!

In Support,
Angela

324 comments posted

blog index

  • April 27, 2010 8:59 p.m.

    Linda, If your parents have less than twenty-five thousand in the bank they are entitled to medicare and assisted living. It's time you put your father in a place where they are capable of dealing with his condition. I wish you all the best, Natasha

    - Natasha

  • April 27, 2010 8:43 p.m.

    Jennifer, Very well said. To move on with dignity. Countries like the Netherlands understand and respect this right. Natasha

    - Natasha

  • April 27, 2010 8:40 p.m.

    Cindy, Yes your father's anger is a sign/symptom of dementia. I highly recommend you google "dementia" and look under "symptoms. Sincerely, Natasha

    - Natasha

  • April 27, 2010 8:38 p.m.

    Hello everyone! I am new to this site. After reading a good handful of comments I realized that no one was answering the comments posted. Why don't we take it upon ourselves to help answer questions. Surely we have a heck of a lot of valuable experience. How do we create our own blog? I am have been alone in all of this and I could certainly appreciate having your company! Thank you! Natasha

    - Natasha

  • April 27, 2010 8:31 p.m.

    How do I deal living with my 85 year old Mother who suffers from severe dementia? I am very ZEN. I live in the moment and only for the moment. I meditate, I am compassionate towards this sentient being no matter how frustrating it can be at times. I am constantly mindful and present. When things become overwhelming I go out, lay in my hammock and listen to my breath. Four and one half years and counting without any assistance from my three siblings.

    - Natasha

  • April 25, 2010 4:55 p.m.

    My dad is 86 and showing signs of dementia. His doctor says he is normal for his age. The biggest problem we are having with him right now is his anger at different members of the family. He gets very angry at the perception of a personal slight. He is then rude to that person until someone else draws his attention. Is this a symptom of dementia?

    - Cindy

  • April 23, 2010 1:46 p.m.

    I definitely believe the saying, "If you've met one person with AD, you've met one person with AD, If you've met one caregiver of AD, You've met one caregiver of AD". I've been looking after my mother since 1996 after her second husband past. By 2004 I knew she could no longer be far away from me. I moved her with me and it was a learning experience. You can only do the best you can do, believe that! The hardest part was even getting her diagnosed. Because every person is different and how the disease affects them, a doctor has to analyze everything to make any real diagnosis on the case and more info will come from the caregiver than the patient. Doctors sit there and ask them questions, "have you ever been hospitalized?", how can they answer that when they don't even know where they live? They didn't diagnose her properly early enough. They didn't hear me, I know my mother. I could go on for hours.... My hardest thing has been dealing with this alone. Support groups are OK but nothing replaces the love of family and friends. Reach out to someone in need, I need someone to say, "Let Me Help". All I hear is: "I know what you're going through". NO YOU DON'T! BE A FRIEND!! My mother comes first and I do all I can to give her a better day and make sure she is being taken care of in the assisted living facility memory care unit I moved her to when it was time. They don't care the way I do but they do a good job. There's a time when you ca

    - Theresa

  • April 17, 2010 10:18 a.m.

    I post today to say that the end-stage of vascular dementia is utterly horrific. I/we have gone through all of the other stages as outlined pretty much by the book. We are dealing with a pretty classic case. However, my issue is that of all of the family members coming together to be in agreement of what course of care should be taken at this point in the disease. It is really hard when one person realizes that the care should now be that of comfort instead of preventative but another person just can't seem to get to that point. One day they understand and agree and the next day, when my grandma has a decent more productive day, they are set back again to keep giving preventative care. What I mean by preventative care is that of continuing all meds for any and all medical issues (like high blood pressure and high cholesterol). I simply do not know that it is possible to get someone to truly understand that the disease has taken over completely and we should now switch gears into allowing God to control the situation instead of medicine. Please know that prolonging life can be a tremendously selfish thing however it is the most natural for us to want to do. Allowing out loved one to move on the next phase at the end of life is the selfless thing to do and definitely provides them with a sense of dignity and respect. No one wants to live in this type of condition. It matters most that we as families give our loved ones the most dignity that we can at the end of life stage.

    - Jennifer

  • April 17, 2010 8:13 a.m.

    Both of my parents 79 & 81 have dementia. My mom has had a bad memory for a long time but after hip surgery about 5 years ago, she's never been the same. My dad had a brain injury (the day my mom got out of the nursing home from her hip surgery) and now has dementia. We moved them out of their house due to their financial situation into an unassisted living apartment. My dad is going down hill fast - he is becoming very verbally violent with all of his kids (4). He makes each of our lives absolutely miserable every day. We all know that he is very sick but it makes it so we don't want to talk to or see him. My mom lives with him and he screams at her constantly too but she's used to it because he's been a screamer all his life. We know that we have to move them into more help. Other than the money situation my biggest fear is that they will kick him out because of his nastiness. None of us kids would be able to take him in and/or handle him. I guess I'm just venting right now but I am afraid of what comes next. We know that it is just going to get worse. Any financial and/or mental suggestions? Exhausted!

    - Linda

  • April 12, 2010 8:44 p.m.

    On April 25, 05 I had a stroke (in the bed at St.Lukes for my Crohn's). After that I have Aphasia (I think i'm "moderate". I'm 67 and from what I learned (websites, books, etc.) that I (Aphasia) has a high chance of Alzheimer's disease. Since you (Mayo) doesn't reply, I hope other studies will give us (me) more information. Thanks, Ned

    - Ned

  • April 8, 2010 10:21 a.m.

    Excuse me. I meant Angela. Could you please answer our questions.

    - Sherri

  • April 8, 2010 10:20 a.m.

    I see from this blog that many are asking questions and no one is answering them. Where is Kate?

    - Sherri

  • March 20, 2010 6:47 p.m.

    My wife has had Alzheimer's since she was 57. She is now 65. She lives in an assisted living facility for the Elderly with 4 other residents. The other residents are old enough to be her parents, and are therefore afflicted with Physical limitations that she does not share. I take her with me to lunch and to get smoothies every week. Moreover she goes on car rides with me as well. The challenge for me is to try to find something to occupy her time besides the "mindless" TV programs they watch day after day after day. Has anyone ever found anything that people with my wife's affliction can do. She was always involved in projects that were meaningful. Her Psych doctor said that a brain MRI revealed that she has moderate to severe AD and he would be surprized if she was still alive in 9 years.

    - Lynn

  • March 12, 2010 9:26 a.m.

    You can call the Alzheimer's Assoc. for support groups, meetings, hotlines and information to help you understand. I didn't do this soon enough but over time learned how to be there for my mother--to accept the constant repition, the delusions, the personality changes and even hostility.The hostility if it happens is just part of the disease so never take it personally. After time my mother mellowed and is actually at peace. A hotline volunteer told me: enjoy what time you can with you mother, in your case your grandmother and it was the best piece of advice so I did, we have had many great hours together but sometimes during visits she just slept. It's not easy but you can get support. You love your grandmother.

    - kate

  • March 7, 2010 10:39 p.m.

    im writing because i cannot talk without tears. my grandmother, my mamaw, my moms only girl, and my mom her only girl, I visited her in the hospital last pm. i know that everyone has engrained into me that she has sudden, and rapidly progressing alz/dimensia, every case is different, every day is different, she's lived a good life, good christian...... I KNOW! I cannot sleep now after hearing yest. that she thinks children are always jumping on her bed, she was found crawling on the floor in the middle of the night, she said her husband is married "to that other woman..." you get the idea, i hope. because of my previous history with horrifying lsd trips, and my relentless conquest to continue that investigation and understand the human mind/associations/etc up until i was 23 years old, (30 now); and my lifelong affair with biology as a bride of religion, and art as the flower girl, I NEED to know what SHE knows. does she know that she is not in a place of reality? is she nervous, anxious, scared? does she know? I am so tired of half-way answers, im not a patient's grand-daughter. I am an intelligent person-a+ in AP Calc and BIO. chem major, sculpture graduate. i have been able to make some kind of mariage between biology and God. But a woman, 93, who made over 40 of her offspring forever in the light of God, and trusting of him- the corner stone...is going through this at the end of it all??????????? please, someone, anything. thank you

    - cat

  • March 7, 2010 11:22 a.m.

    I am 83 and in a senior care center because I was in depression and was diagnosed as LewyBodyDementia. My husband had Alzheimers and died 5 yers ago from prostate cancer. Is there a connection between LewyBody and Alzheimers? I use a walker but otherwise enjoy life. We go to outside activites such as museums and theater once a month and enjoy life as much as I can. I do take a lot of meds but wonder how long it will be before I will lose my ability to care for myself.

    - Mary

  • March 3, 2010 9:48 p.m.

    I grew up with my great aunt who had alzheimer's from what I am aware of she also had slight dementia. One minute she would be the nicest old lady around and the next she would be accusing you of steeling her money (which she didnt have because she would always lose her purse so my aunt kept it for her). One night she woke up without anyone knowing and walked next door to our neighbors house and told them that someone was chasing her with needles and they called the police and the fire department was there. Sadly she passed away from old age, but now im my grandma is getting it and I was wondering is there something that caused this all of a sudden accurance of alzhemeir's disease, is there certain factors that may increase the disease and the effectiveness?

    - Cheyenne

  • February 28, 2010 4:43 p.m.

    JJ: From a second story window, I watched our neighbor pace in his locked yard. He had been such a gardener, but had been reduced to raking leaves. I could only be happy that he could be outside part of the time. Now my husband is in the same predicament, and I can only wonder when we will have to install a gate and reverse locks on the doors of our house as they did. What is a GPS bracelet? Is the person aware of what it is for? Best of luck to you and all.

    - Laurel

  • February 26, 2010 11:37 a.m.

    Our Neurologist told my wife that she had vascular dementia. She has had several TIA's over the last 15 years. She will wake up in a confused state, saying she is late for school;or, she might ask where her mother is, who has been deceased for many years. I have been her caregiver for 4 years. My wife and I are both 87 years of age. My only hope is that I live long enough to care for her. She startled me the other night as we were watching TV. She looked over at me and asked where is Bob, which is my name. I replied , here I am. She answered by saying "you are not Bob. I thought that such an incident was usually associated with Alzheimers disease. Something new every day. take care, Robert

    - Robert

  • February 20, 2010 8:33 p.m.

    I am new to this and am confused by the differences... Recently I have been with my aunt who has periods of lucidity and then extreme opposite. What's scarey is the care that is required and the care that she will allow. When I tried too get an aide in to help her she became distressed and aggressive.....

    - Hilary

  • February 19, 2010 7:49 p.m.

    A friend of mine enrolled in a study at Univ. Ky. 2 1/2 yrs ago on effects of pure DHa at 2000 mg daily. Results for non-carriers of the A.D. gene were extraordinary. The longer you take it, the better your brain gets. My friend was in the study for 18 months, which extended 6 months with ALL given real dose. He has been on commercial grade at 1200mg daily for the last year and his improvement is amazing. Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is agency at UK. Has anyone heard of any other success stories?

    - Barbara

  • February 12, 2010 3:03 p.m.

    I think (no formal assessment has been done yet) that my 78 year old mother may be in the beginning stages of some kind of dementia. Her symptoms seem to be aligned closely to frontotemporal dementia. I have gone to my local Alzheimer's Association weekly meetings the past two weeks while I've been on vacation. It really has helped me being able to talk to other caregivers and the wonderful staff there. I would reccomend going to a caregivers meeting for support and information and direction.

    - Grace

  • February 10, 2010 5:33 p.m.

    I have been looking for a baseline assessment form for my siblings and me to use to track changes in our Mother's dementia. Is there anything like that out there? Or, if I need to create one, any suggestions? Any help is appreciated.

    - Ramona

  • February 3, 2010 1:12 p.m.

    HELP.. My dad has dimentia. Medium stages. He wants to be outside all the time. We have a GPS bracelet on him, but we are still scared he will walk off if we are not watching him closely).. Would a fenced in (locked)yard help, or would he strive to get out of it also. I think he feels he is trapped being inside. He even wants out when it is freezing cold, burning hot or raining. Has anyone had this outside problem and has anyone tried a fenced yard? I would like to hear from others on this before I spend a lot of money fencing the yard.

    - JJ

  • January 31, 2010 5:25 p.m.

    There was a report on the news that ARB and ACE Inhibitors can reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer's by up to sixty-four percent. I take Hyzaar for hypertension. Does Hyzaar provide the protection suggested above?

    - Donald

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