The comparison between Alzheimer’s and Dementia can help you to take care of your loved ones. So we have tried to bring out the basic differences and similarities between the two diseases. We have also tried to give some tips and ideas to cope with a such diagnosis of your elderly family members.
Definition of Dementia
Many people have a misconception that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are the same. Dementia is an umbrella term for loss of memory, a problem with communication and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with day-to-day life.
There are different types and causes of Dementia which include
- Lewy body dementia: Occurs when abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha- synuclein form on the cortex of the brain which is associated with memory and learning
- Frontotemporal dementia: Occurs when there is a breakdown of nerve cells in the front and sides of the brain causing personality and behavioural changes
- Vascular dementia: Occurs when blood flow is poor to the brain
- Parkinson’s disease dementia: Occurs in people who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease which gives rise to cognitive disability in the patient
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: Occurs when the protein in the brain takes an odd shape damaging the other brain cells
- Huntington’s disease: Occurs when an inherited gene affects the central area of the brain. This causes impairment in movement, thinking, and emotions.
- Mixed dementia: Occurs when there is more than one type of dementia affecting the patient.
What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of Dementia, but irreversible and gets worse as time passes by. Alzheimer’s is common in older adults who are over 70 years. But sometimes it also affects people who are less than 65 years, known as Early Onset Alzheimer’s.
The initial signals or symptoms that your elderly loved ones may have Alzheimer’s or Dementia are
- Problem with numerical: Patients have difficulty in simple calculations of numbers which can be taken as an early warning sign
- Imparity in speech and word usage: This may include stammering and searching for the right word in a sentence.
- Difficulty to do regular work: Patients with Alzheimer’s or Dementia has forgetfulness to perform daily routine task around the house.
- Withdrawal from social events: Senior adults sometimes withdraw from social events or gatherings as it becomes difficult for them to remember the names and occupations of other guests and strike up a meaningful conversation with them.
- Confusion regarding time and location: A senior member of the family may completely forget or be confused about the time or location of various things in the house.
- Misplacing items: Your elderly loved ones may forget and misplace items around the house and also be incapable of retracing them. How to support and care for your elderly loved ones through memory loss.
When your senior family member shows signs of losing his or her cognitive ability, it is difficult for you too. But at Add link of facility you can find solutions to tackle such situations. We at Add link of facility give you assistance and advice for Alzheimer’s care and Dementia care.
There are a few tips that Add link advises their clients for memory care of their elderly
loved ones
- Understand the patient’s needs: When memory fails, your loved one’s abilities also falter. Trying to understand them at this point and keeping them safe in their homes and natural surroundings goes a long way.
- Removing harmful objects: For senior care at home, you must remove inflammable objects, sharp objects, or any harmful medication from the reach of your aging loved ones to avoid any risk.
- Avoid tripping hazards: To take elder care at home and take into consideration their physical challenges, it is better to free the house from clutter and rugs.
- Maintain fire safety: Sometimes the Alzheimer’s or Dementia patient may forget to switch off fire devices at home. For senior care, you have to take care of fire safety at home.
Consider Care Home: Taking elder care can be quite a challenge and taxing for the other family members. But there is a service of professional home-care provider from Add link who specializes in memory care, elder care, and senior care. The efficient in-home caregivers from Add link are trained and compassionate enough to provide one-to- one memory care to your aging loved ones. They are available for round-the-clock service and provide personalized service to the elderly at their homes without disturbing their natural, familiar surroundings. The home-care service is affordable and less expensive than a Nursing Home.
So don’t wait to call New Alamo Residence Home today and leave your worries to your trained home care providers who specialize in memory care.
