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What is Dementia?

The term dementia describes a group of symptoms, including memory loss, impaired reasoning and changes to social behavior resulting from various conditions or diseases, such as stroke or Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease. These changes are not part of normal aging and are severe enough to impact daily living, independence and relationships.
It's important to pinpoint the specific type of dementia in order to provide the best treatment. While Alzheimer’s is progressive and fatal, other causes of dementia are treatable and even reversible. Check out the links below to learn how to create a safe and comfortable environment and to make tasks of daily living more manageable.

Videos

What is Alzheimer's Video - AboutAlz.org
A short video explaining Alzheimer’s and the different stages as it progresses in the brain.

A message for patients and their families: A video from AboutAlz.org
A video for patients and families of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Information on how to detect the early signs of Alzheimer's - WCSH6
Johanna Gilland, owner of Home Helpers of Southern Maine, shares information on how to detect the early signs of Alzheimer's

Articles

Foods to eat to lower your risk of Dementia - AARP.com
The food you eat may have a lot to do with how healthy your brain stays as you age, according to the latest nutritional research.

Dementia Causes: Injuries, Diseases, Alchohol Abuse and more - WebMD.com
Learn about dementia and what causes it, including injury to the brain caused by tumors, head injury, or strokes, or diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.

What is Dementia? What Causes Dementia? Symptoms of Dementia - MedicalNewsToday.com
Information and symptoms regarding Dementia.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia are different - MayoClinic.com
Alzheimer's disease and dementia are different. Learn how, and share your stories.

Hearing loss may be an early sign of dementia - CNN.com
Gradual hearing loss is a common symptom of aging, but in some people it may also be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, a new study suggests.

Dementia - MayoClinic.com
Dementia — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes and treatments of this mental deterioration.

Dementia Risk Factors - WebMD.com
Aging is the main risk factor for all types of dementia. Some diseases that cause dementia (such as early-onset Alzheimer's disease and some frontotemporal dementias) may run in families.

Exercise, Controlling Cholesterol and Blood Pressure, and More Tips to prevent Dementia - WebMD.com
Dementia is difficult to prevent because what causes it often is not known, these tips can help to prevent dementia and improve your overall quality of health.

Dementia Home Treatment: Safety, Driving, Sleep Problems, and More - WebMD.com
Home treatment for dementia involves teamwork among health professionals and caregivers to create a safe and comfortable environment and to make tasks of daily living as easy as possible.

Dementia - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Dementia - NYTimes.com
Articles and multimedia from The NY Times, including information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, tests, and surgical procedures, as well as current news and interviews with leading experts.

What Causes Dementia? - ThirdAge.com
Dementia seems to be more common these days, despite life spans increasing. However, Swedish scientist Laura Fratiglioni has shown that everyone can minimize his or her risk of being affected by the disease

When Dementia Drains the Pocketbook - NYTimes.com
Faced with the possibility that their parents have grown too confused to manage their own finances, many adult children turn to physicians. But often they are ill equipped to help cope with an elderly patient's financial problems.

Understanding Dementia: Signs, Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Treatment - HelpGuide.org
Guide to the different types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Learn about common signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment options.