Ever find yourself confused by Alzheimer’s and dementia? They can be hard to understand. And you may have a lot of questions. What is Alzheimer’s? What is dementia? How are the two related? What are the signs and symptoms? How can you keep your brain healthy? Your list of questions could go on and on. Searching for answers can be tough. Here’s information you can trust, answering your biggest questions about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and brain health.

What are Alzheimer’s and dementia?

The first thing to understand about Alzheimer’s and dementia is what they are. They’re similar, but it’s helpful to know how they’re different.

By Definition

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.

Alzheimer’s Versus Dementia

The definitions of Alzheimer’s and dementia are helpful. But they don’t paint the full picture. They don’t explain the relationship between the two. Going a little deeper, Alzheimer’s is actually a type of dementia. But, it’s just one of many different types.

Dementia refers to a general decline in memory and cognitive ability that is severe enough to affect a person’s daily life. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia and the leading cause of dementia. However, it is not the only form of dementia. While Alzheimer’s refers to a specific medical condition, dementia is a general reference to a group of symptoms.

Think of it like heart disease. Heart disease isn’t an official diagnosis. It describes a group of conditions related to the heart. Similarly, dementia describes a group of conditions related to abnormal brain changes. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and Cardiomyopathy are each their own medical diagnosis. But they all fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Just like Alzheimer’s is one of many forms of dementia.

Other Types of Dementia

Alzheimer’s is the most common and well known type of dementia. But there are many other types, as well. Some reports say that there are over 400 types of dementia. However, there are a few that are most common. Each type of dementia affects cognitive functioning. But each may have slightly different symptoms and characteristics.

Alzheimer’s is characterized by changes to the physical structure of the brain. It’s about plaques and tangles destroying the brain’s gray matter. These will be discussed more in the next section.

Vascular dementia is caused by problems with blood flow to the brain. It’s commonly connected to things like strokes and blood clots.

Lewy body dementia, similar to Alzheimer’s, is caused by proteins in the brain. In this case, the proteins are known as Lewy bodies rather than tau or beta-amyloid.

Frontotemporal dementia refers to types of dementia that affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These types of dementia more commonly cause changes with personality and behavior. It’s also more likely to affect those that are younger. Most people are diagnosed in their 40s. Researchers believe frontotemporal dementia is caused by genetics in about one out of three people.

The (Neuro)Science Behind Alzheimer’s

There’s a lot of science behind Alzheimer’s and dementia. And there’s a lot that’s still unknown. Neuroscientists study the structure of the brain. They research how it changes with diseases like Alzheimer’s. By focusing on what causes Alzheimer’s and how it affects the brain, they can look for ways to prevent and cure it.

When it comes to the neuroscience of Alzheimer’s, there are three main elements. Plaques, tangles, and gray matter. You may have heard of them. They can be confusing to understand.

Plaques

Plaques are sometimes referred to as Amyloid Plaques. These are deposits, or clumps, of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain. An abnormal amount of these clumps is commonly seen in the brain of someone with Alzheimer’s. Scientists are still trying to better understand what causes these plaques to build up and the role they play in Alzheimer’s. Researchers are also studying ways to reduce and prevent plaques as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Tangles

Tau Tangles are clumps of a different protein in the brain, tau protein. In Alzheimer’s, the tau become tangled together. The tangles keep the neurons from communicating properly. Researchers are studying the connection to between plaques and tangles in Alzheimer’s disease.

Gray Matter

Gray Matter makes up about 40% of the brain. The other 60% is white matter. Gray matter is responsible for information processing. It’s what gives us the ability to do things like think, talk, and reason. Our bodies don’t create new gray matter. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Amyloid plaques and tau tangles cause gray matter to die. As it dies, cognitive ability declines.  Often, those with Alzheimer’s have less gray matter than those without.

Recognizing Alzheimer’s

Like any health condition, there are warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Everyone forgets things from time to time. The warning signs can help you know the difference between what may be normal, age-related changes and those that could be a sign of something more. These warning signs are just a basic guide. You should talk to your doctor anytime you’re worried about cognitive changes.

Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association has identified 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood and personality

Each of these warning signs could be signs of normal aging or a form of dementia. For example, we all might lose our keys or wallet sometimes. We forget where we put it. So we have to retrace our steps to look for it. This is a normal memory lapse and could be a sign of normal aging. But, sometimes we can’t retrace our steps to find what we lost. This is when it can be a sign of something more serious. Someone with Alzheimer’s might struggle to retrace their steps. This can sometimes lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and fear.

Learn More about the Warning Signs

Do you want to learn more about the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s? Download your copy of our free e-book, Here to Help: Your Guide to Memory Changes

Senior Living Can Help

It’s important for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their loved ones to have support. This could come from things like community resources and support groups. Support can also come from senior living.

Memory Care

The first way senior living can support those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia is memory care. It’s the most well known way senior living can help. Many senior living communities offer memory care. It can be slightly different at each, but the basics are usually the same. Memory care focuses on offering a structured environment for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia to thrive. It’s typically a secure environment, where staff and visitors need a code to enter and exit. Memory care residents receive assistance with their activities of daily living. Memory care may also provide specialized programming and activities for those with dementia and their loved ones.

Beyond Memory Care

Memory care is only one way that senior living can help those with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their loved ones. Senior living can help in other ways, as well.

One way senior living can support someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their loved ones is respite care. This offers family caregivers a chance to have a break from 24/7 caregiving. It also gives everyone a chance to experience what moving to memory care could be like.

Memory Support Resources at The Ohio Masonic Communities

At The Ohio Masonic Communities, we offer support for our residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their loved ones. We also offer support to members of the community facing memory challenges.

1. Respite Care – Like some senior living communities, we offer respite care in both assisted living and memory care. We want to support those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, as well as their loved ones and caregivers.
2. The Ohio Masonic Communities Resource Center – We have our own division focused on connecting individuals with the resources and services they need to thrive. We’re here to answer questions, offer support, help you find resources, and connect you with local services to support you.  We have Community Outreach Coordinators throughout the state who can help you over the phone or in person.
3. Progressive Care – Each of our campuses offers multiple levels of care. Options range from independent living to skilled nursing care, and also includes assisted living and memory care. We want to have support available when a resident’s needs change. This means supporting residents in every level of care while ensuring extra support is available if they need it. A resident could start in independent living, experience new or worsening symptoms of dementia, and eventually move to memory care. It also means that support is available for families. For example, a couple may be living in independent living when one needs the extra support of memory care. In this case, one may stay in independent living while the other moves to memory care. However, they’re both able to stay on the same campus and receive the right amount of support to help them thrive.

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

Interested in what you can do to keep your brain healthy? Check out these tips from an Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer Community Educator!

The Ohio Masonic Communities offers memory support at three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more about memory support, give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.