Dementia and Alzheimer’s are two diseases that are often discussed together, but it is important to understand the differences between them. This guide will provide deeper insights into medical terminologies related to these conditions.
Advance Directive (AD)
An Advance Directive is a legal document that lets individuals dictate their healthcare decisions ahead of time should they become unable to do so in the future due to illness, injury, or mental incapacity. It typically includes instructions for the kind of health care desired and the name of the individual who can make decisions for them. This person is known as the “agent” or “proxy.”
Anomia
Those dealing with anomia may struggle to express their thoughts or needs due to their impaired ability to recall words or names. This is typically the result of damage to the temporal lobe or other parts of the brain and is seen in a number of neurological conditions, and mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, as well as in stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injuries.
Alzheimer’s Disease
An incurable, degenerative brain disorder, Alzheimer’s Disease affects millions of Americans, being the sixth leading cause of death in the US. There is no known cure, but memory care treatments and lifestyle changes can help slow its progress. Identifying and responding to signs of Alzheimer’s as soon as possible is essential to managing its effects, and researchers are constantly striving to come up with better treatments and potential preventions.
Challenging Behavior
Challenging behavior can encompass defiance, aggression, withdrawal, self-injury, and non-compliance. This behavior may stem from underlying mental health difficulties, such as anxiety or depression, or a lack of understanding of how to manage certain situations.
Dementia
Dementia is a term used to describe the symptoms associated with a decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory loss, trouble with thinking and reasoning, confusion, and changes in personality. Most commonly, dementia is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, though vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy Body dementia can also be the cause.
Delusion
False beliefs that an individual holds despite evidence to the contrary are known as delusions. These beliefs may stem from fear, paranoia, or an altered view of reality. Delusions may occur in conjunction with other mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, narcissism or substance abuse. They may also arise from trauma, stress, or a psychiatric disorder like schizophrenia.
Dysphasia
Communication disorder dysphasia impacts an individual’s ability to comprehend and produce language. This may cause issues with speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. People with dysphasia may have difficulty finding the right words, use incorrect words, or making up words.
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a condition caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which results in changes in behavior, personality, and language, as well as deficits in executive functioning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Individuals may find daily activities such as grooming and dressing difficult and may display socially inappropriate behavior and a lack of empathy.
Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy Body Dementia is a degenerative neurological disorder with an estimated 1.3 million people in the US suffering from it. Manifestations of the condition can include memory problems, perplexity, difficulty walking, visual hallucinations, and behavior changes.
