Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia: Early Signs to Look Out For

Introduction

If you’ve ever misplaced your car keys or walked into a room but forgot the reason why, you might have wondered if it is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. While misplacing your keys every once in a while or forgetting why you walked into the kitchen are common situations that do not indicate cognitive decline, it is important to understand the brain changes and challenges that can happen as we age. It is also important to note that dementia is not a part of the normal aging process.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Think of dementia as an umbrella diagnosis, with multiple specific types, such as Alzheimer’s disease, underneath it. Alzheimer’s disease is just one type of dementia. Understanding the difference and choosing to not use these two terms interchangeably will help you advocate for your loved one’s needs and find the correct support.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a certain set of symptoms. The Alzheimer’s Association describes it as a general term for symptoms that include memory loss, language loss, challenges with problem-solving and other thinking abilities that affect daily life. Forgetting your keys every once in a while does not affect your daily life, which means it does not meet the parameters for dementia. If you are forgetting your keys regularly and are missing out on social gatherings because of it, which leaves you feeling isolated and frustrated, it could be affecting your daily life.

There are different types of dementia, including reversible dementia, which can be treated by finding an underlying cause, such as a vitamin deficiency, dehydration, or mood disorder. However, most types of dementia are progressive, which means they get worse over time. Common types of dementia include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Vascular dementia
• Lewy body dementia
• Frontotemporal dementia

Each type of dementia comes with its own challenges and symptoms. A neurologist will determine the correct diagnosis after assessing the patient, reviewing medical records, and listening to family observations.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia that affects over 7 million Americans. The most common type of dementia, it accounts for 40-60% of dementia cases.

Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, which means the person living with Alzheimer’s disease declines over time, losing certain abilities and facing new challenges as the disease continues. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and the cause itself is still somewhat of a mystery. We do know that an Alzheimer’s brain is full of plaques, or deposits of beta-amyloid proteins, and tangles, or twisted fragments of tau protein. What causes these plaques and tangles is still unknown, but they are being studied around the world. 

People living with Alzheimer’s disease face significant cognitive decline, including challenges with independence, safety, dignity, and quality of life. They require a support system and care in order to remain as healthy and comfortable as possible.

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

Dementia is a term used to describe a set of symptoms of cognitive decline. There are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Not all types of dementia are the same, which means not all treatments or interventions work on every type of dementia. A proper diagnosis is crucial in order to receive the correct treatment plan, as well as to plan for the future.

10 Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

How can you know if your aging loved one is just a bit forgetful or is experiencing signs of dementia? Ask yourself if the symptom is affecting daily life. Here are a few of the early warning signs that could indicate a trip to the doctor is in order.

Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life

Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, but occasional forgetfulness is normal. If your loved one is forgetting recently learned information regularly, misplacing items frequently, or is asking the same questions over and over, it could be a sign of dementia.

Difficulty Planning or Solving Problems

Often, forgetfulness is not the first indicator that there is a cognitive problem. Instead, family members discover that a loved one isn’t paying their bills or able to keep up with their household chores. If your loved one has a pile of unpaid bills on the counter when they have typically been a stickler for paying them on time, it could indicate an issue. Similarly, if your dad has always been able to fix little problems with their car, but he is suddenly confused about what to do for a service light on the car dash, it could be a sign of a problem.

Challenges Completing Familiar Tasks

Your loved one could be experiencing early symptoms of dementia if they are unable to remember where the plates go when they are unloading the dishwasher, the steps to take to make a cup of coffee, or how to manage their laundry. Getting lost when going to the grocery store or when they are out for their daily neighborhood stroll is also concerning.

Confusion With Time or Place

Feeling confused is less common in the early stages of dementia, but it can be scary for everyone when a senior becomes disoriented in the grocery store, in their car, or at home. If your loved one doesn’t know the month, date, or season, they should be seen by their physician. If this symptom comes acutely or suddenly, an emergency room visit is in order to rule out a stroke.

Vision and Spatial Difficulties

Dementia affects all parts of the brain, which means you might find your loved one can no longer perform tasks that require spatial awareness. This might mean they are bumping into walls or doorways more often, or take a step over a dark rug because their brain interprets the rug as a hole in the floor.

Problems With Words in Speaking or Writing

Language deficits are a very common sign of the early stages of dementia, but are often overlooked. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for your loved one having problems with word finding, stopping their train of thought, or their inability to keep up with a conversation, especially in a busy or overstimulating environment. They may also use other words to describe the word they are unable to find.

Misplacing Items and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps

If you come over to visit your loved one and you find a place setting of silverware in their bedside table drawer while cleaning up or their favorite pair of shoes in the guest bedroom closet, it could indicate they are misplacing objects or becoming distracted while putting items away. In all cases, it could be a red flag and a sign to make a physician appointment.

Decreased or Poor Judgment

Safety concerns are common in the middle stages of dementia, but they can begin in the early stages as well. Poor judgment can lead to wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather, such as putting on a heavy sweater for a walk around the block in June. Judgment issues can also lead to poor hygiene, making costly mistakes with financial planning, and falling for scams.

Withdrawal From Social Activities

People living with cognitive decline know they are forgetting, which can make them feel ashamed or embarrassed. This vulnerability often leads to skipping social functions and choosing instead to isolate themselves at home alone. If your mom was typically a social butterfly but is now at home nearly all the time, it could be a time to talk about why that is happening.

Mood and Personality Changes

Finally, look for changes in your loved one’s mood and personality. Having a few sad days isn’t a cause for concern, but showing signs of increased anxiety, agitation, irritability or paranoia can indicate something else is going on.

Alzheimer’s vs. Normal Age-Related Memory Changes

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, but some forgetfulness is. Walking into the kitchen and forgetting why you went in there is common. Walking into the kitchen and putting the screwdriver you’re holding into the silverware drawer is not common. Similarly, forgetting a word while you’re talking to your friend a few times is common. Feeling so overwhelmed by forgetting words that you skip calling your friend on the phone in the first place is not common.

In short, if your loved one is showing signs of cognitive decline that affect their mood, social habits, hygiene, nutrition, health, safety, and other aspects of daily life, it is time to make an appointment with their doctor.

How Alzheimer’s and Dementia Progress

Each type of dementia progresses differently, and each person living with dementia experiences symptoms uniquely. However, we can categorize the progression of Alzheimer’s disease into 3 distinct stages.

Early Stage (Mild)

Early stage Alzheimer’s disease was once categorized as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). However, the more professionals looked at MCI, the more they realized this was a specific stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to early awareness and diagnosis, more and more people are able to live in this early stage for longer, giving them time to advocate for their future wishes, plan ahead, and be a part of important decisions.

People living in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease can often live at home independently. However, family members do need to support them and watch for any safety issues.

Early stage Alzheimer’s disease includes symptoms like mild forgetfulness and language challenges, as well as difficulty with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). IADLs include meal preparation, managing finances, housekeeping and laundry, medication management, and transportation.

Middle Stage (Moderate)

The middle stage is the one that most of us think of when we hear about Alzheimer’s disease. Someone living in the middle stage has significant memory loss and language challenges as well as behavioral changes. They might pace or wander, be agitated or anxious in the late afternoon hours, and be unable to follow multistep directions. Health and safety are significant concerns.

This stage is typically when family members need to step in to offer significant support, hire a home care caregiver, or begin looking for memory care senior living communities. 

Late Stage (Severe)

The late stage of Alzheimer’s disease features significant cognitive decline. Seniors might be nonverbal and lose the ability to understand verbal communication. They may have difficulty swallowing or walking, and might be increasingly frail.

24 hour care is needed during this stage of the disease and the focus is comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

How Alzheimer’s and Dementia Are Diagnosed

If you’ve noticed signs that could indicate Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, the first step is to make an appointment with your loved one’s primary care physician. They will take time to listen to your observations and concerns, so be sure to be as specific as possible. The doctor will review the medical history and run any tests that could rule out other causes of cognitive challenges, such as infections or stroke.

Your loved one’s doctor might also refer you to a neurologist for further testing and to confirm a diagnosis. An early diagnosis can be helpful as your loved one can begin medications that can slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.

Can Dementia Be Treated or Reversed?

There are some types of dementia that can be reversed, but Alzheimer’s disease cannot be reversed. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are medications that can slow the progression of the disease as well as to manage symptoms so that the person can be more comfortable and as independent as possible for as long as possible.

What to Do If You Notice Early Warning Signs

If you’re concerned about your loved one, consider talking to them about it. Without appearing to judge or shame them, bring up a few instances that have you feeling worried. You might notice they are relieved to talk about it, because they are likely worried about it as well. Getting some help from the physician can give you both the answers you need to plan for the future.

If your loved one is going to doctor appointments, be sure to bring along a family member who can take notes and inform other family members. This way, no instruction or intervention falls through the cracks.

Supporting a Loved One After Diagnosis

If your loved one does receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, all of you will be hit with a multitude of emotions. As you work through your grief and worry, you might feel the urge to start making plans for the future or supporting your loved one. A few things you can take care of together include:

• Making the home safer
• Creating structured routines
• Using post-it notes to create friendly reminders around the home
• Getting affairs in order with a reputable elder law attorney
• Exploring care options, including a memory care community

It is never too early to begin exploring memory care options, especially so that your loved one can be a part of the process and advocate for their preferences and wishes.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Alzheimer’s disease is a slowly progressing disease. This means that your loved one will not go to bed lucid and then wake up the next day suddenly confused. If you notice sudden confusion, it can indicate something more serious, such as an infection or a stroke. Visit the emergency room if your loved one is suddenly confused or disoriented.

Common Myths About Alzheimer’s and Dementia

• Myth: Memory loss is a normal part of aging

Some memory loss is normal as we age because we process information a bit more slowly than we did when we were younger. However, dementia and significant cognitive decline is not normal as we age.

• Myth: Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same thing

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. The two terms should not be used interchangeably as they are not the same.

• Myth: Nothing can be done after diagnosis

A diagnosis gives everyone, including the senior, a plan for interventions, treatment, and future support. Medications can slow progression of the disease and manage symptoms.

• Myth: Only seniors develop dementia

Depending on the type of dementia, younger people can have a dementia diagnosis.

FAQs – Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia Early Warning Signs

What is the main difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?

Dementia is a broad term that encompasses a set of cognitive symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia, though it is the most common and accounts for 40-60% of dementia cases.

What are the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease?

Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease can include forgetfulness that affects daily life, language difficulties, and inability to manage household tasks, routines, or finances.

Is memory loss always a sign of dementia?

Some memory loss is common. If memory loss is affecting daily life, it is an indicator of potential dementia.

Can dementia be reversed?

Some types of dementia can be reversed, such as dementia caused by infection, depression, or vitamin deficiencies. Alzheimer’s disease cannot be reversed.

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?

Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed by a physician after they review family observations and concerns, and medical history, as well as after they have ruled out other conditions.

At what age do Alzheimer’s symptoms usually begin?

Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are over the age of 65. However, there is a type of Alzheimer’s disease that affects patients in their 40s or 50s. This type of Alzheimer’s disease progresses quickly.

When should I take a loved one to the doctor for memory concerns?

If you are noticing cognitive challenges that are affecting your loved one’s daily life, safety, health, or quality of life, make an appointment with their physician.

Ready to begin searching for memory care senior living options? Schedule a tour at a Legend residence near you to learn more about our approach to dementia care.