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Dementia Vs. Mild Stroke in the Elderly

Dementia and mild stroke are conditions that are common among elderly people. Both are very serious disorders that affect the brain, but they are distinctly different conditions.

  1. Considerations

    • According to the American Heart Association, a person's chance of having a stroke double for each decade lived after the age of 55.

    Dementia

    • Dementia refers to a group of symptoms caused by diseases and conditions that affect the brain. According to the National Institutes of Health, Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia among the elderly.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of dementia may include memory loss, impaired speech, diminished communication skills, behavioral disturbances, mood disturbances, and hallucinations. Cognitive decline may progress to the point that patients can no longer care for themselves.

    Mild Stroke

    • A mild stroke may also be referred to as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a mini stroke. A mild stroke has the same features as a stroke, but the symptoms are temporary and do not permanently damage the brain.

    Features

    • Mild strokes are caused by a clot that blocks blood flow to certain parts of the brain. Symptoms of a stroke occur suddenly and can include numbness on one side of the body, confusion, impaired speech, dizziness, and impaired vision.

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