What is the difference between Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia?

when dad doesnt eat i get out apple juice or orange juice and let him drink it out of a straw .
here lately he s been eating yougurt , its good for him , dr says it puts in a good bactriea in him to flush out the bad bacteria out .
sometimes i feed him icecream .
just as long as he has something in his stomach . dad has noproblem eating cuz he likes to eat hahaha . but there s some days he dont want to eat .
man he sure sleeps alot . i think its the meds , he seems cant to stay awake anymore . :-(

lhardebeck, Sounds like a good idea. Wish I could go with you. Our pastor is coming for a visit tomorrow. So maybe we will go out for dinner. Ed doesn't eat much anymore and I wonder about that. What do you do when they will not eat at all. Well when that happens I will call the doctor.

So glad I have my sister to come and stay with me. That gives me a chance to get out. I still work in our company and I love it that I can still do that. It is a break from being here. Only a couple of 1/2 days a week. But sometimes I need more. Take care and enjoy your day. ;O)

dad eats at the table , no we dont have any tray . today mail came and he got a cmas card from his stepdaughter , he claims he dont know who she is , i read the card to him and gave it to him and put on his reading glasses , he stare at the card for a while then put it down but left his reading glasses on .
then took it off at the table so he could eat , then he put his reading glasses back on and went to watch tv ,
i went out with my girlfriend this evening , its her bday . came home 4 hrs later he s sleepin in recliner with his glasses on . i had to giggle cuz he normaly wont wear them unless he s reading .
my husband said he slept the whole time i was gone .
bless his heart he looks so comfetable with glasses on ...
all these years dad only shows interst in newspaper , never see him with any magz , i bought newspaper he would only look at the front page , big picture , big headline . then hes done . then i would go thru it and tell him whats happening .
he just loves to sleep , pasty cline and tv or bye bye ,
too cold to take him out but i think i will take him out tmr. treat him wendys , he loves wendys chilli and frosty and just go for a ride.
i know it felt good when i went out with my gfriend , oh it felt good , then i thought i shall take dad out tmr . beat that cabin fever !

LHardebeck: You are doing fine. Just hang in there, OK? Now you must read to him like a todler, turning the pages and commenting on all the pictures, one page at a time. Keep those magazines in front of him. Does he have a tray where he eats and reads? I'm glad that he likes Patsy Cline.
Norene

Well I guess that is about what I have been saying all along. My husband fell down the steps - now he has Alzheimer's. - any disease that does damage to the brain comes under the heading of dementia. It depends on how bad the brain has been damaged or how much damage has been caused by any brain disease. It is that simple

While what you say is true about dementia, it presents in a myriad of ways. Right now my mom can carry on a conversation, know what all her grandchildren are doing, whether it's work or school, and be current on world news. Yet, she won't bathe often, uses depends and won't change often, can sit and say nothing for hours and wants to fire all her caregivers. She also believes that she and my dad have been in the FBI!

She hasn't wandered yet, but no one knows exactly how quickly that or anything else can happen.

My dad, who was pretty with it just a few weeks ago, fell and now has some dementia symptoms as well--forgetting, demanding. With 2 parents with dementia, this is getting super difficult. We are still looking for the appropriate setting for them.

If anyone has experience a situation like this, please add anything you can. Thanks

Let's define "dementia" and "Alzheimer's":
What is Dementia?

• Dementia is defined as “a brain impairment which affects intellectual functioning, memory and at least one of the following: abstract thinking, judgment and language; identification of people and objects; personality changes and ability to use objects appropriately.”

• It is a syndrome or group of symptoms caused by 102 different diseases

• There are about 70 irreversible and progressive types of dementia, ultimately leading to death

• The most common cause of irreversible dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer's Disease is a TYPE of dementia.

• Dementia affects every part of the brain— it is a “global impairment”

• Of all individuals suffering from dementia, approximately 70% have Alzheimer’s Disease or Alzheimer’s Disease coupled with another dementing illness (For example, Lewy Body Disease, Multi- Infarct dementia, Vascular Dementia, etc.)

- 15% of people with dementia have Multi-Infarct/Vascular Dementia without Alzheimer’s Disease
- 5% have Lewy Body Disease without Alzheimer’s Disease
- The remaining 10% have dementia caused by other very rare diseases


What is Alzheimer's Disease?
The MOST COMMON type of dementia. The occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease is most common among the very old.

• Current estimates indicate that:
- 3% of people age 65-74 have the disease
- 19% of those 75-84 have the disease
- 47% of those 85+ have the disease

• In the brain affected by Alzheimer’s Disease:
- Communication signals between brain cells diminish
- Metabolism is impaired as tangles develop inside the brain
- Repair is disabled as plaques develops in the arteries
- Plaques and tangles produce mistakes throughout the brain eventually resulting in cell death

So, you see, "dementia" is the brain disease and Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. People who have Alzheimer's do indeed have dementia.

Because we are all individuals, we respond differently when we have Alzheimer's disease. The same can be said for people that have any of the forms of dementia (such as vascular dementia, etc.). Some may have a catastrophic response, be scared, have much difficulty remembering things, act abnormally, demonstrate unusual behaviors...and others will respond more "mildly", without such behaviors. The good news is, there are some things that can help.

Hahahah have one for me too. I don't drink. But don't you have too many.

youre right reba, thats my dad , dementia . can not do things for himself . my mil she has alz and can dress and walk and do things for herself but forgetin whats cookin inthe kitchen , put coffe ground in where the waters suppose be at , all a mess .
oh food we eat and air we breath in is all no good . everythings bad for you . even coffee .
think i;ll go have me a beer .. :-)

Disease is when it effects the brain no matter which disease you have, causes Dementia. Dementia meaning they can no longer do the things they use to. Like talking, walking, eating, dressing, seeing things and people that are not there, forgetting who they are or family, etc. They can no longer be left alone. Strokes, damages to the brain from a fall, anything that causes the brain to start breaking down. Alzhiemer's is caused by a proteen that builds up a webbing in the brain. I would add more but right now I don't have the time. You can find it all on the internet. I read just the other day they are now blaming what they put in our food. Well maybe but I don't believe that one. This is what I have been told too so if I am wrong please feel free to correct me.

Alzheimer's disease is a specific form of dementia. Dementia is the broad term or (brown bag). There are many and various forms of dementia. Often someone is diagnosed with alzheimer's disease without testing. There are now medications that help delay the progression of alzheimer's. Sadly nothing cures it, Researsh is being done however. The biggist risk for alzheimer's is age. So my generation is safe I think because most of us won't live to be old like our elders now.

Sad karenm, Not easy to get old and have others boss you around. We are free and can do what we want. We don't know how we will act when it comes to our turn. Be kind as much as possible and remember our day is coming too. Treat her the way you want to be treated. They don't feel well at times and it can make a person nasty. I don't know where you could put them but I am sure you will hear from someone on here that can help. God bless.

Hi everyone,
My mom has dementia--she's 86. She can be totally with-it conversationally--she knows which grandkid is doing what, what's going on everywhere. But she also embellishes with outrageous stories--sometimes very interesting and funny. She is also very stubborn and many times won't allow caregivers to help her change (incontinent) and wants to fire them all.
Dad, 91, was caring for himself--showers, shaving, dressing. He fell recentlly and now displays dementia like symptoms as well. My sisters and I are overwhelmed and need to move them into a facility with more care. But we don't know where to move them, what type of facility, and the emotional roller coaster is devastating.
Karen

Yep that is what I have been saying

Dementia is a symptom of any number of illnesses that cause deteriation of cognitive function. Alzheimer's Disease is one of those diseases. Vascular Dementia is another, though as research continues, vascular issues are more closely related to Alzheimer's Disease than once thought. Recent research for preventation seems to indicate that health habits that are good for the cardiovascular system are also good for prevention of AL. Other types of dementing illnesses include Lewey Body Disease (often associated with Parkinson's Disease) and Frontal Lobe Dementia which impacts impulse control and can be particularly diffficult with behavior issues. Think of the word "dementia" as a symptom as "fever" is a symptom of flu, colds, etc. Hope this helps make the distinction.

No there are 4 or 5 diseases that attacks the brain. The reaction is about the same. Called Dementia. More to it but that about tells like it is.

I was told that dementia and Alzheimers are the same disease, but at different stages. Dementia being the beginning, and Alzheimers at the end of the scale being the worst.

lhardebeck
My Ed doesn't want to do anything but sleep and he eats very little. Loves cookies and ice cream and I let him have anything that he will eat.

my dad s hands cant hold much of anything , barely hold a cup . i did handed him a magz last summer he just looked at it like what ya wanna me do with it ??
he cant hardly pick up his pill . hands just dont funtion right . he used to play cards many years but not anymore ,
i wish he could but no he cant .
all he wants to do is lay in recliner and sleep and watch tv , also eat . if its nice out he loves to go bye bye , go for a joy ride . he likes watching news and weather channel or something interstin on tv . most of all he rather lay in bed and listen to his pasty cline , thats only at night time when hes in bed for the night ...

N1K2R3, Good idea, but my husband is so far gone, nothing holds his interest. I tried believe me I did. He found it was too easy to set and look at the floor. He was a very smart man at one time and a college one at that. But all of that is gone and now it is the simple things for him. He is at the point where he sometimes doesn't know what to do in the shower. When they get this far gone it is best just to let them be. He has gone this far in one year. We think it has been coming on for over 5 years. But the ones that can and are willing, keep them thinking. That is what the doctor said.

LJHardebeck, OK, here's something that you can do for your Dad: Keep interesting magazine around! If he likes science,then let him read Popular Mechanics, Popular Science etc. If he likes Engineering, the try C. and E. News. If he likes buisness, then how 'bout Forbes? Kiplinger's? INC Magazine etc. I know when I grow very old, I would want to be surrounded by magazines, except I like Decorating and Architecture.

Norene

yes keep him comfertable , my dad too sits around watches tv or sleeps alot . there isnt anything elders can do , cant walk and almost barely can talk .
try to strike up conferstation as much as you can , keep his mind going . make him happy is all i can do .
sometimes i talk about bussniess that perks him up . alot of time i would ask him for advice and he sure can give me a good advice , wise man i say ...
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO U ALL

redmax2610, You are welcome. Merry Christmas to you too.

Thanks Reba..Youre last paragraph is good advice that I will follow..Have Blessed Christmas and I appreciate your support.

redmax2610, It is best just to let them do what they want, as long as they don't do something that could hurt them. My doctor said he would become like a child and he is. I don't know if you have read what I have said to others but that is what my doctor said, it will only get worse.

Blood pressure is a problem with Ed too. It fluctuates a lot. If he is in pain it goes way up to 197/210. But they will not do anything at the hospital to bring it down.. They said if they bring it down too fast it could cause him to have a heart attack or a stroke. So I have medication I can give if it stays up.

It is a hard job taking care of someone. I have to put myself in his place and think of how I would feel. If I could think at all. Don't make your dad do things he doesn't want to do. You will have more peace. I just make sure Ed is clean, fed and I try to keep him safe. God be with you. You do what you can do and let it go at that.

N1K2R3, That is true and that is what we have been saying.

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dimentia. One may have dimentia without having alzheimer's.

Thanks, Reba..I have asked my Dad's Doctor..all he says is that it is Vascular Dementia, pulls down his glasses when he looks at me and says "and it is only going to get worse." This tells me it is not reversible..and upsets me.
So far my Dad's blood, cholestrol and weight are under control, but blood pressure fluctuates. He will do nothing but sit in his chair, he refuses to exercise, walk, even tho he can. If his level of understanding and cognisive ability is waning, even with the maintenance and proper drugs, my fear is that the lack of activity both physical and mental, will be his demise. He gets extremely angry at me when I suggest he get up and move around, and I think he is fearful of the outside world. he only sticks his head out the door to get the mail, sometimes. I feel so frustrated as I want to help him help himself, but he is fighting me all the way.

Wanted to say about vascular dementia. I am not sure how old that report is but you can check with your doctor, I am sure you know that. There is a lot on the internet about it.

Let's define "dementia" and "Alzheimer's":
What is Dementia?

• Dementia is defined as “a global impairment which affects intellectual functioning, memory and at least one of the following: abstract thinking, judgment and language; identification of people and objects; personality changes and ability to use objects appropriately.”

• It is a syndrome or group of symptoms caused by 102 disease entities

• There are about 70 irreversible and progressive types of dementia, ultimately leading to death

• The most common cause of irreversible dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer's Disease is a TYPE of dementia.

• Dementia affects every part of the brain—“global impairment”

• Of all individuals suffering from dementia, approximately 70% have Alzheimer’s Disease or Alzheimer’s Disease coupled with another dementing illness (For example, Lewy Body Disease, Multi- Infarct dementia, Vascular Dementia, etc.)

- 15% of people with dementia have Multi-Infarct/Vascular Dementia without Alzheimer’s Disease
- 5% have Lewy Body Disease without Alzheimer’s Disease
- The remaining 10% have dementia caused by other very rare diseases


What is Alzheimer's Disease?
The MOST COMMON type of dementia. The occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease is most common among the very old.

• Current estimates indicate that:
- 3% of those 65-74 have the disease
- 19% of those 75-84 have the disease
- 47% of those 85+ have the disease

• In the normal brain, for any neuron or brain cell to survive, three interrelated systems are in effect:
- Communication—facilitated by neurotransmitters
- Metabolism—enabling cells to feed and breathe
- Repair—allowing cells to repair and renew themselves

• In the brain affected by Alzheimer’s Disease:
- Communication signals between brain cells diminish
- Metabolism is impaired as tangles develop inside the brain
- Repair is disabled as plaques develops in the arteries
- Plaques and tangles produce mistakes throughout the brain eventually resulting in cell death

So, you see, "dementia" is the brain disease and Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of it. People who have Alzheimer's do indeed have dementia.

Because we are all individuals, we respond differently when we have Alzheimer's disease. The same can be said for people that have any of the forms of dementia (such as vascular dementia, etc.). Some may have a catastrophic response, be scared, have much difficulty remembering things, act abnormally, demonstrate unusual behaviors...and others will respond more "mildly", without such behaviors. The good news is, there are some things that can help.