Are they using the terms dementia and Alzheimers interchangeably these days?
When I studied 20 years ago, Alzheimers was a brain disease which was one cause of dementia and could have an early onset. Now the terms seem to be synonyms. Please answer only if you are a professional and work in health care. A: Sharon, They might be used as synonyms by some, but that is not accurate. They are different. Short answer – dementia is a cluster of symptoms. Alzheimers is a disease. ( which may show some of the cluster of dementia symptoms.) Dementia is a word for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there. Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia. However, memory loss by itself does not mean you have dementia. People with dementia have serious
