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According to what I have read via the internet's reputable sites, such as alz.org, webmd, etc., dementia is a classification of illness that affects brain function, specifically memory. Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Lewey (sp?) body, and others are the specific types of dementia. They are totally separate diseases, however, which one the person has will affect how the disease progresses and the length of the person's decline. My mother was diagnosed with vascular dementia almost 4 yrs. ago following a TIA (mini-stroke) event. She had memory issues long before that particular "event." However, since that event, her decline has been more and more rapid. Much faster than just typical Alz. and seems to happen in little "steps" rather than the slow, steady decline of Alz. The doctor has explained to us that vascular dementia has a stroke component that is not present in other forms of dementia. Alz. and vasular are the 2 most common forms of dementia. Either way, my mother and all other dementia victims are being slowly stollen from their families and themselves. It's an incredibly sad, heart-wrenching disease and my heart goes out to all those currently suffering and those who will suffer if no cure is found - SOON - when the Boomer generation hits the at-risk age group.
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The worst kind of dementia is the kind your loved one has.
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As I said two years ago on this thread, The worst kind of dementia is the kind your loved one has.

Each specific kind of dementia has its own characteristics and its own likely symptoms.

There are more than 50 types of dementia. (Some say more than 70.) Every case of dementia is a specific kind, but very often the specific kind is not easily identified. My husband's dementia was Lewy Body. My mother's is Not Otherwise Specified -- in her case she has not been through extensive testing to try to label the kind. It is not ALZ and it is not Lewy Body. It certainly is Something but we don't know what that something is. (Nobody just has "dementia" -- it is always some kind of dementia, but sometimes the only way to know what kind is via autopsy of the brain.)

A good memory care facility has to be able to deal with all the possible symptoms of all the possible kinds of dementia. That is not as complex as it sounds. Several kinds of dementia include hallucinations. Many include paranoia. Some involve progressive loss of memory and in others the memory loss seems random. Treating hallucinations is pretty much the same no matter what kind of dementia someone has. The same with paranoia, or memory loss.

Being able to identify the particular kind of dementia can be very helpful for the treating physician, particularly as it related to drugs. And it can be helpful to caregivers in knowing which symptoms are most likely. But at home or in memory care, the symptoms have to be dealt with as they come up, regardless of the label on the disease.
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I was not clear on this either and most people are confused as well. My understanding through my own curiosity and need, found an answer by researching the subject on line. Dementia is a malfunction within the brain, so it alters personality and causes confusion. You can have dementia for many different reasons. For example : a sneeze is a symptom of an allergy or a cold or sinus infection etc. Alziemers is a disease and dementia is a symptom of the disease. Alziemers as far as I know can not be diagnosed properly till after death, only with an autopsy can a true diagnosis be clear. Ruleing out other causes of dementia and other factors have been considerdered, it can be assumed that a person has a demneted brain due to Alziemers Disease.
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Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging.
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To me, it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. I only hope we get legal assisted suicide in my state or nearby if/when I get it.
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You are right, gladimhere, it is not rare for more than one kind of brain defect to be present. Which certainly can complicate treatment! "Early onset" can apply to more than one kind of dementia. It just means the dementia started earlier than is typical -- usually before age 60. I have a friend struggling with early onset Lewy Body Dementia, for example.
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Early on set regardless of the type of dementia is terribly devastating for the families that have to deal with it.imagine, in your 50's, looking forward to retirement and diagnosed with dementia that will only get worse.
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What is the difference in the care dementia and alz? I am trying to find a memory care home and I want to clarify the different cares.
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aggiemom~dementia is a catch all term for any elder who has a progressive memory loss diagnosis. There are several types of dementia with Alzheimer's, Vascular and Lewbody being the most common. When looking for a memory care facility, it should be well equipped and knowledgeable about "dementia". There is no particular facility (that I know of) that deals only with Alzheimer's or Lewybody. My mother is in memory care and the facility is excellent in their care, giving her meds on time, the activities provided and the attitude of the caregivers as far as being compassionate and caring people.
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