Dementia is not a single disease. It’s an overall term for a set of diseases and conditions, like Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, characterized by a decline in memory, language, and other thinking skills that impact everyday activities. These diseases are caused by damage to brain cells which interferes with the ability of those cells to communicate with each other.
While sometimes it may seem so, it is not a given that everyone develops dementia as they age. While dementia is more common with advanced age, it is not a normal part of aging. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without any signs of dementia.
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The most common forms of dementia include:
Additional detail on the multiple forms of dementia can be found here.
Note that the presence of any or all of these symptoms is not a sure indicator of dementia. A complete examination by a physician is required to be sure.
Diagnosis typically involves physical and neurological exams, a thorough medical history and mental status evaluation.
Some studies suggest that certain drugs may help manage certain symptoms and associated behavioral issues. In addition, people living with dementia often receive rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy, whose goal is to maximize quality of life and communication success and maintain skills using a combination of compensatory and impairment-based approaches.
>> Download the printable infographic (PDF)
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Primary Progressive Aphasia
Hi Barb! We have a great article on Primary Progressive Aphasia as well https://constanttherapyhealth.com/brainwire/primary-progressive-aphasia-what-is-it-what-goes-into-the-diagnosis-and-how-can-we-harness-the-brain-to-compensate/ Let us know what you think!