Alzheimer’s disease makes up 60-80% of all dementia diagnoses – a crucial fact to understand when seeking dementia care in Kimberly, WI. Facing concerns about a loved one’s memory feels overwhelming, but knowing the facts helps you walk this difficult path with more confidence. Dementia is not what happens when we simply grow older. Many people live into their 80s and 90s with sharp minds and minimal memory issues. Your risk for Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years after age 65, making early sign recognition essential.
1. What is Dementia and How is it Different From Alzheimer’s?
Understanding the umbrella term
Dementia isn’t a specific disease. Think of it as an umbrella term covering various symptoms that affect thinking skills severely enough to disrupt daily life. Much like “cancer” includes many distinct types, dementia encompasses several different conditions. Under this umbrella, several distinct conditions exist:
- Alzheimer’s disease – Most common form, accounting for 60-80% of cases
- Vascular dementia – Frequently appears after a stroke
- Lewy body dementia – Marked by unusual protein deposits in the brain
- Frontotemporal dementia – Affects the frontal and temporal lobes
- Mixed dementia – Two or more types occurring together
2. What are the Early Signs of Dementia?
Memory loss vs forgetfulness
Telling apart ordinary age-related forgetfulness from true memory problems creates one of the biggest challenges in identifying dementia. Not every forgotten name points to dementia—some memory lapses happen naturally as we age. Early dementia signs often include:
- Inability to recall recently learned facts or important dates
- Asking the same questions repeatedly
- Growing dependence on notes or family members for tasks once handled alone
- Placing objects in unusual spots (keys in the refrigerator)
- Becoming lost in familiar places
- Forgetting close family members’ names or common object names
3. How is Dementia Diagnosed?
What to expect during evaluation
Diagnosing dementia requires more than a simple blood test or brain scan. Doctors use multiple assessments to rule out other conditions and identify the specific type of dementia present. Your journey typically begins with your primary care doctor. During this first visit, expect them to:
- Take your detailed medical history, noting when symptoms appeared and how they’ve changed
- Complete a physical exam to check for other health problems
- Look through all medications you take, including over-the-counter products
- Perform a brief cognitive screening
- Request laboratory tests to exclude other conditions
These initial screenings help determine if you need specialized testing. When dementia seems likely, your doctor will probably refer you to a specialist – perhaps a neurologist, geriatrician or psychiatrist who focuses on memory disorders.
4. Is Dementia Hereditary or Genetic?
“Will I get it too?” Family members of people with dementia ask this question often. This worry sits heavily in their minds and learning about the genetic aspects of dementia can offer real peace of mind. Good news – most dementia cases are not directly inherited. Less than 5% of Alzheimer’s disease cases come from single genetic mutations passed through families. Two key concepts help explain the genetics of dementia:
- Risk genes – These raise your chances of developing a disease but don’t guarantee it
- Deterministic genes – These directly cause a disease, almost certainly ensuring anyone who inherits one will develop the disorder
5. Can Dementia be Prevented or Delayed?
Healthy habits that support brain health
“What’s good for your heart is good for your brain” captures a simple truth about dementia prevention. The strategies protecting your cardiovascular system also shield your cognitive health:
- Stay physically active: Exercise appears to be one of the strongest protectors of brain health. Try for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, plus strength training twice weekly. Just 20 minutes daily of walking, dancing or gardening makes a meaningful difference.
- Manage cardiovascular health: Controlling blood pressure, particularly during midlife, may cut dementia risk by about 40%. Treating high cholesterol and diabetes similarly reduces your risk.
- Adopt brain-healthy eating patterns: The Mediterranean, MIND and DASH diets show promise for brain health.
7. How Does Dementia Progress Over Time?
Stages of dementia
Brain damage gradually spreads throughout this progression. Early on, only small brain areas show effects, explaining the mild initial symptoms. As more regions become involved, symptoms multiply and intensify. Several factors affect how quickly dementia advances:
- Type of dementia – Alzheimer’s usually progresses more slowly than some other forms
- Age when symptoms begin – Younger people sometimes decline faster
- Overall health – Heart disease and similar conditions may speed progression
- Multiple health problems – Having several conditions often hastens decline
- Lifestyle choices – Physical activity and social connections may slow changes
8. What Treatments or Therapies are Available?
Beyond medications
Many non-drug approaches show real promise:
- Cognitive stimulation therapy uses group activities to strengthen memory, problem-solving and language skills.
- Physical activity helps maintain movement abilities and may slow functional decline. Even simple walking brings benefits.
- Music and art therapy can calm agitation and lift mood, especially in middle to late stages.
- Reminiscence therapy encourages sharing past experiences using photos or familiar objects, often brightening mood and supporting cognitive function.
Navigating the Dementia Journey Together
Knowledge becomes your strongest ally when confronting dementia concerns. With accurate information, you make more confident decisions about care, treatments and support strategies. You don’t need to walk this path alone. Contact us at (920) 720-0288 to learn more about our memory care, Aspire Senior Living Kimberly.
The dementia journey, though difficult, still holds room for meaningful moments, dignity and quality of life. With proper support, understanding and care, families face each stage with greater confidence and peace of mind.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms affecting cognitive functions, while Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, but there are other types like vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.
Q2. What are some early warning signs of dementia? Early signs include significant memory loss affecting daily life, difficulty with familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation to time or place, poor judgment and changes in mood or behavior. It’s important to point that occasional forgetfulness is normal with aging, but persistent cognitive issues warrant medical attention.
