When someone you love is experiencing changes in memory, thinking, behavior, or communication, the word dementia can feel overwhelming. It can also be confusing, especially because dementia is often used interchangeably with Alzheimer’s disease.
But dementia is not a single disease. It is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the brain and interfere with a person’s ability to manage everyday life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type, but there are several others, and each can affect a person differently.
Understanding some of the differences can help families make sense of changes they may be seeing, ask better questions, and find support that reflects their loved one’s individual needs.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a progressive brain disorder associated with changes in the brain, including the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
Memory loss is one of the symptoms most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s, particularly changes in short-term memory. A person may have difficulty recalling recent conversations or events, repeat questions, or increasingly rely on reminders for information they once would have remembered easily. As the disease progresses, a person may also experience changes in communication, reasoning, judgment, behavior, and the ability to complete familiar tasks.
Although Alzheimer’s most often affects adults in their mid-60s and older, younger-onset Alzheimer’s can occur before age 65.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain or disrupt the flow of blood and oxygen to brain tissue. It may occur following a stroke, although other conditions that affect blood flow to the brain can also contribute to vascular dementia.
The symptoms can vary depending on which areas of the brain have been affected. A person may experience difficulties with memory, concentration, organization, decision-making, or following instructions.
Vascular dementia can also occur alongside other forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia, or LBD, is associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, known as Lewy bodies, can affect thinking, movement, behavior, mood, sleep, and other functions.
One of the characteristics that can make LBD particularly confusing for families is that symptoms may fluctuate. A person’s attention or alertness can change noticeably, sometimes even within the same day. Other symptoms can include visual hallucinations, sleep disturbances, muscle rigidity, slowed movement, difficulty walking, and changes in thinking and reasoning.
Because some symptoms overlap with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, diagnosing Lewy body dementia can sometimes be challenging.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia, often called FTD, refers to a group of disorders caused by damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which commonly begins with memory changes, early signs of FTD may involve significant changes in personality, behavior, judgment, or language.
For families, these changes can be especially difficult to understand. Someone may begin behaving in ways that seem impulsive, inappropriate, unusually withdrawn, or simply unlike the person they have always known. Other forms of FTD can affect a person’s ability to speak, understand language, plan, or organize.
FTD also tends to occur at a younger age than many other forms of dementia, with symptoms often developing before age 60.
Mixed Dementia
Sometimes, changes associated with more than one type of dementia can occur in the brain at the same time. This is known as mixed dementia.
One common combination involves brain changes associated with both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease may also occur alongside Lewy bodies.
This is one reason dementia does not always follow a predictable pattern. Two people with the same diagnosis may experience very different symptoms, abilities, and changes over time.
Why the Type of Dementia Matters
There can be considerable overlap among different types of dementia, and diagnosis is not always straightforward. Memory loss is also not the only sign. Changes in language, attention, visual perception, personality, behavior, movement, or the ability to manage everyday activities may all be important.
If you notice significant or persistent changes in someone you love, a medical evaluation is an important first step. Not every change in memory or thinking is caused by dementia. Medication side effects, depression, infections, and other medical conditions can sometimes cause similar symptoms and may be treatable.
When dementia is the cause, understanding the diagnosis can help families better anticipate changing needs and make informed decisions about care and support.
Supporting the Person, Not Just the Diagnosis
A diagnosis can provide valuable information, but it does not define the person living with dementia.
Every individual brings a lifetime of experiences, preferences, relationships, routines, interests, and abilities with them. Those things continue to matter as dementia progresses.
At MBK Senior Living, our Connections for Living by MBK™ Memory Care program is centered on understanding the individual and creating opportunities for choice, meaningful engagement, familiar routines, and connection. As needs change, our approach evolves while continuing to honor who each resident is and the life they have lived.
For families considering Memory Care, learning about the different types of dementia can be an important starting point. The next step is finding a community that takes the time to understand the person behind the diagnosis.
If you’re exploring Memory Care for someone you love, find an MBK Senior Living community near you and discover how our teams can support your family.
