What Are Alzheimer's & Dementia?

Alzheimer's and dementia affect a growing number of adults. The costs associated with treating these conditions continue to grow and more and more people are diagnosed.

Alzheimer's Explained

• Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease that gradually destroys brain cells. This leads to the inability to function independently. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia.

Dementia Explained

• Dementia is a term that describes a group of symptoms that may appear in certain conditions or diseases. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, confusion, language problems, impaired judgment and problem-solving skills.

Types of Dementia

• Dementia caused by diseases such as Alzheimer's is irreversible. Dementia caused by conditions such as depression, medication interactions, malnutrition and hormone or thyroid imbalance is reversible with treatment.

Famous Ties

• Famous people who have suffered from Alzheimer's disease include Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston.

Misconceptions

• Many people use the term Alzheimer's and dementia interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.