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.
