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Alzheimer's
Dementia

What Is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Kim Trevey on Jun 10, 2022
What is the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer's

The words Alzheimer’s and dementia are often used in the same sentence and even interchangeably, as if they’re the same disease.

But this isn’t true.

In fact, one of these isn’t a disease at all.

What is dementia?

What Is Dementia? - Bader House of Georgetown Memory Care

Dementia is not a disease in and of itself but rather a word that describes a group of symptoms related to neurodegeneration, which is a deterioration of cells in the brain. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss; difficulty with reasoning or judgment; changes in thinking skills, language and behavior; and a decrease in the ability to focus.

Several conditions can cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which would be considered a type of dementia.

Other types of dementia include:

1. Huntington’s disease

Huntington's Disease - Bader House

This type of dementia is hereditary and usually shows up earlier in life, between the ages of 30 and 50.

Along with impairing memory and cognitive function, the first symptom of Huntington’s disease is often uncontrollable movement in the upper body.

2. Lewy body dementia

Lewy Body Dementia - Bader House of Georgetown

Lewy bodies are abnormal deposits of protein in the brain that cause hallucinations, imbalance in the body and attention issues.

3. Vascular dementia

Vascular Dementia - Bader House of Georgetown

This type of dementia represents 10% of all dementia cases.

It is caused by restricted blood flow in the brain due to blockage in the blood vessels and can lead to stroke or brain bleeds.

4. Parkinson’s disease dementia

Parkinson's Disease Dementia - Bader House of Georgetown

This type of dementia occurs in those with Parkinson’s disease who also experience a decline in thinking and reasoning skills.

5. Mixed dementia

When the changes in the brain are caused by multiple types of dementia, this is known as mixed dementia.

The most common form of mixed dementia is caused by conditions related to Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Dementia is more than the natural decline that comes with aging. Dementia signifies damage that has been done to the brain cells to the extent that it is interfering with a person’s cognitive function and abilities.


What is Alzheimer’s disease?

What Is Alzheimer's - Bader House

Named after physician Alois Alzheimer, who was the first to link memory loss symptoms with changes in the brain, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading disease that causes dementia, causing 60-80% of cases.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that affects cognitive functions such as memory, learning new information, thinking, reasoning, and logic. Symptoms increase and worsen over time.

An estimated six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today, most of whom are over the age of 65. About 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.

Is it Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed through a series of tests conducted by your doctor, whether that’s your primary care physician, a neurologist, or a geriatrician. These tests include mental status testing and neuropsychological testing.

Mental status testing tests your thinking and memory skills. Your doctor can score how well you do on these tests to determine your level of cognitive impairment.

Neuropsychological testing is often conducted by a neuropsychologist. This series of tests will also test your memory and thinking skills but will additionally test if you’re able to perform daily functions normally and if another mental condition, such as depression, could be causing your memory loss.

Your doctor will also conduct tests to rule out any other factors that could be resulting in Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, including:

  • brain tumor
  • nutritional deficiency
  • autoimmune disease
  • metabolic imbalance
  • reaction to medication
  • an infection
  • substance abuse

Your doctor may also interview family members or people close to you to discuss any changes in your behavior they’ve noticed.

The bottom line is extensive testing is available that can give you a proper diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. You can even get tested before you start showing symptoms with the use of MRIs, genetic testing and testing of the liquid around your brain and spinal cord. Your doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for early testing.

Understanding the world of neurodegeneration can feel overwhelming, but knowing the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can help you determine what symptoms you or a loved one are experiencing and how to approach your doctor.

With extensive and ongoing research, specialists have been able to identify the numerous forms of dementia, their causes and possible treatments that won’t necessarily cure dementia but can help curb symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients and the loved ones who care for them.

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1667 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75075

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Bader House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

Bader House Memory Care Plano
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