Imagine the next time you join a discussion about alzheimers and dementia. When you start sharing the fascinating alzheimers and dementia facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed. When you think about alzheimers and dementia, what do you think of first? Which aspects of alzheimers and dementia are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

"What's the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's?" It's a common question, and doctors are some of the best at confusing us. Physicians seem to prefer the word "dementia," possibly because Alzheimer's has become such a loaded word. "Dementia" somehow sounds less frightening to many people, and now even the experts have started using the words interchangeably.

They aren't interchangeable. Alzheimer's Disease and dementia are two very different things.

Dementia is a symptom. Pain is a symptom, and many different injuries and illnesses can cause pain. When you go to the doctor because you hurt, you won't be satisfied if the doctor diagnoses "pain" and sends you home. You want to know what is causing the pain, and how to treat it.

This article's coverage is as complete as it can be today. But you ought to always leave open the potentiality that future research might unlatch new pieces of evidence.


"Dementia" simply means the symptom of a deterioration of intellectual abilities resulting from an unspecified disease or disorder of the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease is one disease/disorder that causes dementia. Many other illnesses or "syndromes" can also cause dementia. Parkinson's Disease can cause dementia. A stroke can cause dementia. Even dehydration can cause dementia.

If you don't have accurate details regarding alzheimers and dementia, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of alzheimers and dementia is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about alzheimers and dementia.

Many of the things that can cause dementia are treatable, even potentially curable.

If you have taken your elder to the doctor and received a diagnosis of "dementia" you haven't received a diagnosis at all. Unless you know what is causing the dementia you can't begin to treat it's root cause.

If your physician has diagnosed "dementia" it's time for a second opinion. You are probably dealing either with a physician who is not comfortable with the truth, or one who doesn't know how (or doesn't want to bother) to differentiate between all the possible causes of dementia. Either way, a skilled geriatrician or a neurologist who is comfortable with seniors would be a good place to start.

© 2006. Molly Shomer, author of "The Insider's Guide to Assisted Living" and Head Coach of The Eldercare Team. Visit http://www.eldercareteam.com for more expert eldercare information, resources and support.

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Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of alzheimers and dementia. Share your new understanding about alzheimers and dementia with others. They'll thank you for it.