Lots of people talk about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease interchangeably as if they’re the same basic health condition. But they’re actually very distinct diseases that have some unique characteristics. Understanding how these issues are different is helpful for families so that they can make sure their aging adults have the right care. Alzheimer’s care providers can help with either condition, making life safer and healthier for seniors battling both conditions.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Differences
Dementia covers a range of different conditions that involve cognitive impairment, diminished memory, impaired thinking, and daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific form of dementia and one of the most common causes of cognitive decline. Not all dementia cases are Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by abnormal protein deposits in the brain. Dementia can be caused by a variety of different causes, like vascular issues.
Understanding the Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia share some symptoms, especially in the earliest stages of both. These symptoms can include confusion, memory loss, and trouble with daily tasks. As both conditions progress, they start to diverge from these similarities. Alzheimer’s disease progresses in a specific manner, starting with impaired memory and advancing to severe cognitive decline. Dementia on the other hand progresses in a variety of ways depending on the underlying cause.
Alzheimer’s Care Can Help with Both Conditions
Alzheimer’s care can offer assistance with all sorts of conditions related to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other needs, too. Professional caregivers have a lot of experience offering assistance and providing a supportive environment for people dealing with impaired cognition. They can focus on keeping seniors safe, happy, and healthy throughout the day while also offering valuable support to family caregivers. This is even more essential for busy family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Routines Make a Difference
Routines are essential for people battling brain illnesses. Consistent routines help seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to feel more secure and can help them to continue handling the tasks that they are still able to do on their own. This contributes greatly to both quality of life and to emotional well-being. People with cognitive illnesses may not always be able to list out their routines by memory themselves, but they do understand and need their routines and experience difficulty when those routines are altered unexpectedly.
Alzheimer’s Care Helps Families Communicate
This type of care also helps families to understand more about the conditions their family members are battling. Communicating with seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be complicated, but home care providers can reduce that gap. This makes it easier for families to give their seniors the support that they need and allows seniors to express themselves in healthy ways.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease share a lot of common elements, but they have many important distinctions. Alzheimer’s care providers offer tailored care, structured routines, and strategies that make communication easier. All of this helps to ensure that seniors with cognitive diseases are supported, safe, and are able to rely on expert care in the future, too.
If you are considering Alzheimer’s care in Memorial, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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