11 Key Differences Between Dementia And Alzheimer's Disease

Many people use the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease interchangeably—but they’re not the same thing. In fact, understanding the difference is key to getting the right diagnosis, treatment, and support. Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a range of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and communication—while Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and one with its own specific characteristics. While there’s a significant overlap in symptoms, distinguishing between Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can make a world of difference in how the condition is managed. From causes and progression to treatment approaches and prognosis, each has its own unique features. We’ve expanded our list to 11 essential differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s, helping you better understand what sets them apart—and why it matters. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis or simply want to be informed, these distinctions are crucial for making confident, compassionate decisions about care.

1. What Is Dementia?

Dementia, as stated, refers to a set of symptoms from disorders that affect the brain. The main overarching component of dementia-related symptoms is that cognitive functioning is impaired. This means the way an affected individual processes, categorizes, and recalls information is compromised. Dementia patients may have trouble with both their short-term and long-term memory. They may become confused about where they are, what they're doing, what time it is, and who the people around them are. Reasoning can also be impaired due to dementia. It might be difficult to solve problems or fully complete tasks. Some individuals have multiple types of dementia at once, which is referred to as mixed dementia. Individuals with mixed dementia may have several conditions that contribute to their dementia. Mixed dementia, unfortunately, can only be diagnostically confirmed during an autopsy. Progressive dementia, which means the condition worsens over time, has a significant impact on a patient's ability to live alone and function in day-to-day life.

2. What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a definitive disease that causes the collection of symptoms known as dementia. Not every type of dementia is progressive, but Alzheimer's disease is. Alzheimer's disease progresses slowly and causes cognitive function and memory to become increasingly more impaired. Researchers are still trying to determine the cause, and there's no cure right now. Over five million individuals in the United States currently have Alzheimer's disease. Younger individuals can get it, in which case the diagnosis is early-onset Alzheimer's disease. However, the majority of individuals don't exhibit symptoms until after they are sixty years old. When an individual develops the disease after they are eighty years old, the time from diagnosis until death can shorten to only three years. But younger individuals often live much longer following their diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease causes brain damage for years before the onset of visible symptoms. The condition causes abnormal deposits of protein to create plaques within the brain. This causes cell connections to break, and the cells slowly die.

3. Similarities and Differences in Symptoms

There are several similarities and differences in symptoms between the two conditions. Alzheimer's disease has all the symptoms of dementia, but it also has additional criteria of its own. Dementia and Alzheimer's disease can both lead to impaired communication, impaired memory, and improved cognitive function and problem-solving capacity. Additional Alzheimer's disease symptoms include depression, apathy, disorientation, impaired judgment, and difficulty with remembering recent conversations or events. Dementia doesn't typically impair short-term memory, since short-term memory is stored and recalled differently from long-term memory. Dementia also doesn't cause emotional symptoms like depression and apathy. Alzheimer's disease causes these symptoms because of progressive damage to the emotional processing parts of the brain. Other types of dementia may not include emotional involvement and short-term memory impairment. Alzheimer's disease patients may also experience behavioral changes and confusion that aren't part of the overarching dementia umbrella. In the later stages of the illness, Alzheimer's disease can make it difficult to walk, swallow, and speak. The type of dementia an individual has is diagnosed by evaluating these non-dementia symptoms to see what diagnosis fits best.

4. Treatment Options Available

Many cases of dementia aren't reversible, but many types of dementia can be treated. If dementia is caused by hypoglycemia, metabolic disorders, tumors, or drugs, some treatments may be able to remove or cure the underlying cause. Dementia due to Parkinson's disease can be treated with cholinesterase inhibitors, which are also used in Alzheimer's disease treatment. Treatments for Alzheimer's disease and dementia can often overlap. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia that can't be cured, but there are multiple treatments available for symptom management. Behavioral changes can be improved and managed with medication, and there are also medications to help improve memory and mitigate the effects of memory loss. Dietary supplements like fish oil and coconut oil may be used to improve brain function and general health. Depression and insomnia associated with Alzheimer's disease can be treated with medication.

5. Patient Outlook

The patient outlook for Alzheimer's disease is fairly well-defined, while the outlook for dementia is incredibly varied. Patients with dementia will have different outlooks depending on the type of dementia they have, the damage it has done, whether the progression can be halted, and whether the effects are reversible. Parkinson's disease causes treatable dementia, but researchers don't yet know a way to slow or stop the progression. The same is true for Alzheimer's disease. Vascular dementia can sometimes be slowed, but it can't fully be stopped, and individuals with vascular dementia still have a shortened lifespan. There are some reversible types of dementia, but the majority of cases aren't reversible and also get progressively worse over time. Alzheimer's disease is terminal and doesn't have a cure right now. The average lifespan after diagnosis is between four and eight years. Individuals diagnosed after eighty don't tend to live as long. Some individuals have lived up to twenty years following their diagnosis. If individuals are concerned they or a loved one may have dementia, they should talk to a doctor.

6. Causes and Risk Factors

While Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia share some overlapping risk factors—such as age, genetics, and lifestyle choices—the root causes often differ. Alzheimer’s is linked to the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which interfere with communication between nerve cells and eventually lead to their death. In contrast, vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to strokes or small vessel disease. Lewy body dementia involves abnormal protein deposits known as Lewy bodies, while frontotemporal dementia arises from degeneration in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. Understanding these distinct causes is vital because it shapes both the prognosis and the treatment approach for each condition.

7. How Diagnosis Is Made

Diagnosing dementia involves identifying a pattern of cognitive decline, but pinpointing which type—such as Alzheimer’s—requires a deeper evaluation. Doctors use memory and cognitive tests, blood work, brain scans (like MRI or CT), and sometimes PET scans to detect patterns of brain atrophy or plaque buildup. Alzheimer’s is often diagnosed by ruling out other causes of dementia, combined with a detailed review of symptoms and progression. In contrast, other dementias might be diagnosed based on the presence of movement issues, hallucinations, or sudden cognitive decline. A neurologist may also perform spinal fluid tests or genetic screenings in certain cases. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for choosing the right therapies and planning for future care.

8. Age of Onset and Early Signs

While most people with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65, early-onset cases can appear as young as 40 or 50. These cases may be misdiagnosed initially due to the patient’s age and often begin with subtle memory lapses or difficulty concentrating. Other types of dementia can appear even earlier, particularly frontotemporal dementia, which commonly affects people in their 40s and 50s and tends to show up first as changes in personality, judgment, or language—not memory. Lewy body dementia may begin with visual hallucinations or sleep disturbances. Noticing the nature and timing of early signs can help steer patients toward a more accurate diagnosis sooner.

9. Progression Patterns

Alzheimer’s disease typically follows a gradual, predictable pattern that progresses from mild forgetfulness to severe cognitive and physical decline. Other dementias, however, can follow different paths. Vascular dementia, for instance, may have a "stepwise" progression, with sudden drops in function after each mini-stroke or vascular event. Lewy body dementia can involve daily fluctuations in alertness and awareness, making it more erratic and difficult to manage. Understanding how each condition tends to evolve helps caregivers anticipate needs and challenges, and it plays a big role in long-term planning.

10. Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms

Alzheimer’s disease often brings about personality changes in its later stages, such as increased confusion, irritability, and withdrawal. However, some other dementias involve early and more intense behavioral symptoms. For example, frontotemporal dementia frequently begins with impulsivity, inappropriate social behavior, or a lack of empathy—sometimes long before memory problems appear. Lewy body dementia may cause vivid hallucinations and delusions early on, which can be distressing for both patients and caregivers. These unique behavioral features are more than diagnostic clues—they’re key challenges in day-to-day care that may require specialized support strategies.

11. Impact on Movement and Coordination

While Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects memory and cognitive function, some other dementias have an early impact on motor skills and physical coordination. Parkinson’s disease dementia and Lewy body dementia, in particular, can cause tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, and balance issues. These motor symptoms may appear before or alongside memory loss. Alzheimer’s patients may develop mobility issues much later, typically in the final stages of the disease. Recognizing whether physical changes are part of the clinical picture can help direct patients to appropriate therapies, such as physical or occupational therapy, earlier in the course of illness.

Why These Differences Matter More Than You Think

Understanding the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease isn’t just a matter of medical trivia—it can shape everything from treatment choices to emotional support. Each type of dementia comes with its own challenges, progression patterns, and care needs. Knowing what you’re dealing with allows patients, families, and caregivers to plan more effectively, access the right resources, and face the journey ahead with greater confidence. Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis or simply seeking clarity, recognizing these 11 key differences can make all the difference. Knowledge empowers you to advocate for better care, spot early warning signs, and understand that no two experiences with dementia are the same. With compassion, education, and a personalized approach, we can turn confusion into clarity—and fear into forward motion.