Dementia is not a single disease; it's an overall term –
like heart disease – that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including
Alzheimer's disease. Dementia affects millions of people and is more common as
people grow older, but it is not a normal part of aging. Many people live into
their 90s and beyond without any signs of dementia. While Alzheimer's is a
specific disease, it is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for
60-80% of dementia cases. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with
a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of
dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can
overlap. Treatment of dementia depends on its cause, but in the case of most
progressive dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, there is no cure and very
few treatments. Ultimately, the path to effective new treatments for dementia
is through increased research funding and increased participation in clinical
studies. Purpose: Learn about Alzheimer's and other dementias Facilitator: Jon Brillman (Guest Presenter – Lee Health) |
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