LET'S EXPOSE DEMENTIA
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is dementia?
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that causes gradual memory and thinking loss, and eventually the ability to perform basic tasks. It's the most common form of
dementia.
How many types/causes of dementia are there?
There are more than 100 types or causes of dementia. Some of the most common causes of dementia are: Alzheimer's disease; vascular dementia; dementia with Lewy bodies; Parkinson's disease dementia; frontotemporal dementia; and mixed dementia.
What group is most affected by dementia?
Older African Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer's or other progressive forms of dementia as older whites.
How many people have dementia?
Currently more than 55 million people have dementia worldwide, over 60% of whom live in low-and middle-income countries. There are more than 7 million people in the United States with dementia.
What is dementia's outlook for the future?
There are nearly 10 million new cases every year. The Alzheimer's Society estimates that the number of people with dementia will rise to 139 million by 2050.
What are the biggest risk factors for dementia?
Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia. But other risk factors include: head trauma; hypertension; diabetes; stroke; depression; and obesity.
What is Sundowning?
Sundowning is a group of symptoms that can occur in the late afternoon or early evening for people with Alzheimer's or dementia. These symptoms can include: increased confusion; agitation; behavioral changes; insomnia; anxiety; pacing; hallucinations; and paranoia.
What are some symptoms of cognitive decline?
Signs of cognitive decline include: forgetting things more often; losing your train of thought; having trouble finding your way around places you know; difficulty solving problems; increased feelings of isolation; and repeating yourself.