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What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Senile Dementia

Difference Between Alzheimers And Senility

MindGenesis: Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia: What’s the Difference?

March 28, 2011 Posted by Olivia

Alzheimers vs Senility

Senility and Alzheimers are medical conditions that are encountered in old age. With old age, loss of mental functions is a normal thing. It is unfortunate though as it hampers with an individuals daily activities as he loses controls over his cognitive functions. While Alzheimers is definitely a disease, senility refers to physical and mental deterioration with old age. Senility is cognitive impairment which is common with old age. On the other hand, Alzheimers is a brain disease which causes brain cells to die in a gradual and progressive manner. However, the symptoms of Alzheimers are similar to those commonly associated with senility which is why people are often confused between the two.

Alzheimers

Sad part of this disease is that it cannot be prevented. However, people can lower the chances of contracting this disease by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating green, leafy vegetables. Active physical and mental engagement in activities at old age also helps in preventing the onset of this disease. Avoiding depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and controlling anger while allowing for brain exercises with mental activities such as simple math help people to prevent this disease.

Senility

Summary

Difference Between Alzheimers & Vascular Dementia

Alzheimers disease happens when neurons in the brain begin to die due to clumps of sticky proteins. Vascular dementia, on the other hand, is from impaired blood flow. The diseases also attack different parts of the brain. Alzheimers affects the grey matter while vascular dementia affects the white matter. Vascular dementia is more likely to affect movement in the earlier stages than Alzheimers.

Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimer’s

In conclusion, it should be noted that the main difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s is:

  • Dementia is not a disease but the deterioration of a person’s mental abilities Alzheimer’s is a disease that develops over time.
  • Dementia occurs for various reasons among which we find suffering from other diseases Alzheimer’s however has no known cause but is known to be a stage of dementia.
  • The life expectancy of a patient with dementia is not altered by this deterioration a person with Alzheimer’s will have upon first diagnosis a life expectancy of about 10 years.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimer’s, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.

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Talking With Your Health Care Provider

Aging is a difficult process for many people, and talking to your health care provider about your concerns can be very beneficial. They can provide you with information and resources to help ease your concerns or improve your quality of life if you have any of these conditions.

There are simple screening tests that health care professionals can perform during routine medical visits, Ory said. Knowing the signs and symptomatology of dementia is important as there are medications that can reduce your symptomatology, and, along with being more active and engaging in other healthy lifestyles, can improve your quality of life.

Although there are no medications or treatment that can cure dementia or Alzheimers, medications and a healthy lifestyle will help you process your condition as well as possible. Ask your physician about safety and limitations. There is nothing shameful about having dementia.

Before people talked about dementia in medical terms, theyd say that the patient was crazy or senile, Ory said. People dont use those terms now because they recognize its a medical condition and not about personality or willpower. Alzheimers and dementia are far too common and are not something we can ignore.

Outlook For People With Dementia

Senile or Old Dementia

The outlook for patients suffering from dementia depends completely on the direct cause of dementia. The available treatments are used to make the symptoms of dementia manageable, but there is no sure-fire way of stopping the deterioration of the mind due to this disease.

Although vascular dementia can be slowed down in some cases, it can still shorten a patients lifespan. Some dementia variants are reversible, but most of them are irreversible and can cause physical and mental impairments, over time.

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Symptoms Specific To Frontotemporal Dementia

Although Alzheimers disease is still the most common type of dementia in people under 65, a higher percentage of people in this age group may develop frontotemporal dementia than older people. Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 45-65.

Early symptoms of frontotemporal dementia may include:

  • personality changes reduced sensitivity to others feelings, making people seem cold and unfeeling
  • lack of social awareness making inappropriate jokes or showing a lack of tact, though some people may become very withdrawn and apathetic
  • language problems difficulty finding the right words or understanding them
  • becoming obsessive such as developing fads for unusual foods, overeating and drinking

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Quality Home Care For Dementia Patients In Phoenix Az

Do you have a family member or loved one suffering from dementia? Call and talk to one of our staff at Devoted Guardians. We are one of Arizonas largest home care providers with personnel trained in dementia care. We offer daily 24-hour living assistance, including nighttime watch, and personal care.

Devoted Guardians’ Response to COVID-19

Devoted Guardians is actively monitoring the progression of the coronavirus, COVID-19, to ensure that we have the most accurate and latest information on the threat of the virus. As you know, this situation continues to develop rapidly as new cases are identified in our communities and our protocols will be adjusted as needed.

While most cases of COVID-19 are mild, causing only fever and cough, a very small percentage of cases become severe and may progress particularly in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Because this is the primary population that Devoted Guardians serves, we understand your concerns and want to share with you how our organization is responding to the threat of COVID-19.

We are following updates and procedures from the Centers for Disease Control State Department of Health, local and county authorities, the Home Care Association of America and other agencies and resources. Our response and plans may adjust according to the recommendations from these organizations.

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Outlook For Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers disease is one of the highest leading causes of death among senior citizens. Approximately one in three people, aged 65 and above, will die from Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia. It will kill more people than breast and prostate cancer.

The life expectancy for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease tends to vary depending on many factors average life expectancy is three to eleven years , but people can go on to live with Alzheimer’s for 20 years or more.

If the symptoms of Alzheimer’s show at the age of 75, they are likely to live for another seven years or so, post-diagnosis. But, if the symptoms affect someone around the age of 90 then they are likely to live for another three years, approximately.

Since Alzheimers is a progressive disease, the earlier the diagnosis is made and the earlier treatment begins, the better is the outlook for the patient.

Difference Between Dementia And Vascular Dementia

Dementia versus Normal Memory Loss

Categorized under Disease,Health,Science | Difference Between Dementia and Vascular Dementia

Dementia and vascular dementia are characterized by a progressive decline of cognition and independent functioning. Regarding their differences, dementia is an overall term for conditions which are caused by abnormal brain changes. On the other hand, vascular dementia is widely regarded as the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimers disease. The following discussions further delve into these distinctions.

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What Is Difference Between Senility And Dementia

senilitydementiaDementiain a

  • Your local community health centre
  • National Dementia Helpline Dementia Australia Tel. 1800 100 500
  • Aged Care Assessment Services Tel. 1300 135 090
  • My Aged Care 1800 200 422
  • Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service clinics Tel. 1300 135 090
  • Carers Victoria Tel. 1800 242 636
  • Commonwealth Carelink and Respite Centres Australian Government Tel. 1800 052 222
  • Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service Tel. 1800 699 799 for 24-hour telephone advice for carers and care workers

What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimers Disease

Dementia is caused by different diseases that affect the brain. Alzheimers disease is the most common of these diseases. Some other common types of dementia include vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

This means that dementia is not a disease in its own right. Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms that commonly include problems with memory, thinking, problem solving, language and perception.

While there is a relationship between dementia and Alzheimers disease, there are key differences between the two.

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What Is Senile Dementia

Dementia is a condition rather than an illness. A syndrome is a collection of symptoms for which there is no precise diagnosis. It is a group of disorders that affect cognitive mental functions like memory and cognition. Alzheimers disease can be classified as DementiaDementia, a broad phrase. It can be caused by various disorders, with Alzheimers disease being frequent.

Dementia can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Mixed Dementia is the name for this type of Dementia. Dementia. Individuals with mixed Dementia. Dementia might have had several illnesses that can all lead to Dementia. Only an analysis can establish a conclusion of mixed Dementia. Dementia. Also, Dementia can significantly influence ones capacity to operate independently as it advances.

Its a leading cause of disability in older individuals, and it puts an economic and personal strain on caregivers. Early dementia symptoms that can be modest are easy to ignore. It usually starts with minor memory lapses. Dementia patients have problems keeping a sense of time and are prone to get lost in familiar environments.

Is It Memory Loss Or Dementia

Senile or Old Dementia

As we age, our brain undergoes changes that impact our cognitive abilities and its physical structure both of which are a normal part of aging. Older adults may need more time to accomplish certain tasks as their cognition slows down. Multitasking, focusing, and remembering certain things arent as easy as they used to be.

While mild forgetfulness and slow cognitive decline are typical of aging, memory loss thats severe enough to impact daily life can be a sign of dementia.

Learn the differences between typical age-related memory loss and dementia, and how professional memory care can help those with dementia stay safe and well.

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How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Progress

The rate of progression of the disease varies from person to person.

However, the disease does lead eventually to complete dependence and finally death, usually from another illness such as pneumonia. A person may live from three to twenty years with Alzheimer’s disease, with the average being seven to ten years.

Ability To Complete Common Tasks

Early-onset dementia can lead to the inability to perform certain tasks that were at one point easy, such as finding directions, solving problems, managing finances, performing previously mastered tasks at work, etc. In memory loss due to aging, the general processing speed may slow down, one may have occasional difficulty recalling new names or ideas, and once in a while, one may lose track of thought in a conversation,Ayesha Sherzai, MD author of The Alzheimerâs Solution, tells Bustle. But generally one is able to carry out all the activities of daily living without much difficulty.

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What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimers

Dementia is a general term used to describe the deterioration of a person’s mental ability.

It is an umbrella term, as there are many different types of it.

One of those is Alzheimer’s – the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s Assocation explains.

It accounts for 60-80 per cent of dementia cases, which is why the names may sometimes be used interchangeably.

Differences Between Dementia And Senile Degeneration Of The Brain

Difference between Forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s

It may be difficult for one to understand the differences between dementia and senile degeneration of the brain. However, there are distinct differences! Let us look at some of the main differences between the two health conditions.

Differences between Dementia and Senility

People often think dementia is another name for Alzheimers, and that senility and dementia are the same.

However, dementia is a variety of medical illnesses and conditions. Dementia, can, unfortunately, impair ones cognitive health. It may be surprising, but Alzheimers disease is actually a type of dementia.

Dementia symptoms may include many things. Examples include a decline in an abstract thought process, a loss of verbal communication skills, a loss in memory, and a change in personality.

There are many types of dementia. Some examples of the most common ones include:

  • Parkinsons dementia- occurs in the later stages of Parkinsons disease
  • Alzheimers disease- accounts for almost 70-80% of all dementias
  • Vascular dementia- is caused by a stoke or other source of interruption of blood flow to the brain

Senility, on the other hand, is an older term that describes a decline in an elders cognitive and physical health. Like dementia, senility causes changes in mental health, such as a decline in judgment or memory loss.

In addition, senility symptoms can also lead to physical changes, such as:

  • Change in posture

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Inaccurate Definitions Can Cause Confusion And Misperceptions

The most basic definition of senile from Merriam-Webster is “relating to, exhibiting, or characteristic of, old age.” Thus, the pure use of the word senile simply refers to advanced age.

However, the use of the word senile is more commonly, but somewhat incorrectly, associated with a decline in mental abilities, such as memory loss or confusion as people age. Take, for example, this sentence: “Their senile grandmother would never remember their visits, but they knew they brightened her day.”

Senile is often combined with other words, such as senile Alzheimer’s, senile dementia, and senile plaques.

Senile can also be added as a descriptor and applied to other medical conditions, such as senile arthritis or senile osteoporosis. The word senile in these cases refers to the older age in which the condition developed and is completely unrelated to cognitive function.

Another common form of the word is senility.

Normal Aging Memory Loss Vs Dementia

Memory problems dont always indicate dementia. According to the National Institute on Aging, its perfectly natural to experience age-related memory loss.

Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. As people get older, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain, they advise. As a result, some people may notice that it takes longer to learn new things, they dont remember information as well as they did, or they lose things like their glasses. These usually are signs of mild forgetfulness, not serious memory problems

So how do you tell the difference between normal memory loss due to aging and dementia symptoms? Its not an exact science , but the chart below can help give you an idea of what youre up against.

Normal Aging Memory Loss

Consistently demonstrating poor decision-making skills

Forgetting what day it is

Forgetting what season it is

Searching for the right word to use in conversation

Struggling to maintain a conversation

Forgetting to pay a monthly bill

Experiencing problems with managing finances

Losing a commonly used item, like keys or glasses

Misplacing things frequently and being unable to locate them within the house

Forgetting the name of a recent acquaintance

Forgetting the name of a close friend or family member

Difficulty driving to a new location

Getting lost while driving in familiar places

Typical mood fluctuations consistent with their personality

Dramatic mood swings or changes in personality

___________________

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Treatment And Care Plans For Dementia And Alzheimers

Being able to accurately diagnose Alzheimers from other forms of dementia affects treatment plans, insurance coverage, and even care options. In most cases, dementia is irreversible and incurable. However, there are some medications that can help manage the symptoms of dementia and the drugs to treat dementia depend on the type of dementia. For example, there are drugs to make the symptoms of Parkinsons disease more manageable but there is no way to stop or slow the dementia associated with Parkinsons. Having an accurate diagnosis can help medical professionals create a comprehensive care plan.

Alzheimers is a terminal illness and individuals diagnosed with the disease live an average of 4 to 8 years after diagnosis. In the later stages of the disease, home care or moving to a memory care community may become necessary.

While dementia and Alzheimers are related conditions, they have different aspects that are important to recognize, becoming more apparent as the disease progresses. Contact one of our memory care communities today to learn more about Leisure Cares holistic approach to memory care. Our caregiving experts are ready to come alongside your family and walk this road with you.

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The Difference Between Dementia And Senility

Senile or Old Dementia

When an adult child begins to notice changes in a senior loved one, they might wonder if it is normal aging or something else. Its often hard for families to understand the differences when it comes to aging vs. dementia vs. senility. But there are distinct differences.The Differences Between Dementia and SenilityPeople often mistakenly think that dementia is just another name for Alzheimers disease, and that dementia and senility are one and the same.But dementia is actually a variety of medical conditions and illnesses that impair a persons cognitive health. Alzheimers disease is one type of dementia.Typical dementia symptoms can include memory loss, decline in abstract thought process, loss of verbal communication skills and a change in personality.

There are a number of different types of dementia. A few of the more common ones include:

  • Alzheimers disease accounting for as much as 70 80% of all dementias
  • Parkinsons dementia occurring in the later stages of Parkinsons disease
  • Vascular dementia caused by a stroke or other interruption of blood flow to the brain

Senility, by contrast, is an older term used to describe a decline in an older adults physical and cognitive health. Like dementia, senility can cause changes in mental health, such as memory loss or a decline in judgment.But senility symptoms can also include physical changes such as:

  • Stiff joints
  • Loss of vision or hearing
  • Brittle bones or bone loss

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