(Names have been changed to respect our residents’ privacy)

Lenore stopped by the Hub to renew her Staying Connected membership. As she began to write her check, the Hub volunteer noticed Lenore was having great difficulty filling out the check. Lenore explained she had just driven from the eye doctor where her eyes had been dilated, so it hard for her to see clearly right now. She went on to say perhaps she would wait to renew another time when her eyesight was clearer, but she needed to go to the drug store to get the prescription requested by the eye doctor. The volunteer said she thought it may be unsafe for Lenore to drive at this time. Knowing the importance for Lenore to get the prescription, the volunteer suggested that Staying Connected find a volunteer who could drive her to get the prescription and then home. After a few calls, a volunteer was found who could provide the ride. (While it is preferable that members schedule their rides ahead, there are unusual circumstances, particularly when there is a safety issue.)

A part- time resident visited the Hub to inquire about local services. He explained that his wife had had a sudden downturn in her health while they were at their permanent residence in another state and was in a nursing home there. He had flown back to Sun City to, in his words, “get my head around how, when and where to move her to a local facility near Sun City.” He went on to say he was burdened by various legal issues and did not know where to turn or what to tackle first. After the volunteer listened to all his concerns, she provided him with local resources for an elder care attorney and local nursing/assisted living facilities. He was encouraged to work with his wife's social services coordinator at her current facility to help him relocate his wife to SC when the time came. The volunteers invited him to call or visit the Hub again if needed. By the time he left the Hub, he felt he was better equipped to focus on handling all the issues.

Beth called the Hub to say thanks for the companion service for her husband who has a mild dementia and needs someone to stay with him occasionally so she can attend a study group in the community that she enjoys. She said this service allows her to have her full attention at the meeting and not have interrupting thoughts about what Sam might be doing while he is alone. Moreover, Sam has enjoyed meeting each of the four companions (both men and women) who have visited over the past months. It's been a “win/win situation” for them both, she said, and makes her realize how important self-care is for the caregiver.

Question:

Is Alzheimer's disease different from dementia or are they the same? Is dementia a separate disease?  It is so confusing as well as a serious concern to me as I age. 

Before your questions are answered, you need to know that Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. While it is important to look for signs that might indicate Alzheimer's disease versus basic forgetfulness and other conditions, it is always important to reach out to a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation.

Answer:

According to several fact sheets from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), dementia is often thought of as a disease but in fact is not a disease. Rather, dementia is a general term that describes a group of symptoms related to the loss of functions such as the loss of memory, judgment, language and complex motor skills. These can interfere with activities of daily living such as eating, mobility and toileting. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in persons aged 65 and older and probably the most familiar today when the subject of memory arises. It is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking and language skills and the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Other causes of dementia include vascular dementia, caused by stroke or blockage of blood supply and dementia with Lewy bodies; alcohol dementia; trauma dementia, caused by head injury and a rare form of dementia, frontotemporal dementia. Signs that may appear with dementia include: trouble with new memories, especially of recent events, names, places and inability to learn new things; misplacing familiar objects; difficulty finding words; confusion about time, places or people; personality changes; seeing or hearing things; struggling to complete familiar actions, such as brushing one's teeth; trouble finding appropriate words, for example in a sentence and difficulty in judging. The Alzheimers's Foundation of America follows the National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging in describing Alzheimer's disease in three stages: mild (early), moderate (middle); and severe (late). The progression, in terms of time and behavior, will vary from person to person. It is wise to consult with a neurologist regarding diagnosis, progression, care and medications. Check out the following websites: Alzheimer's Association-; Alzheimer's Foundation of America-; National Family Caregiver's Association-; Connected SCHH.org for local resources.