Be kind to your mind! Learn about the healthy lifestyle changes you can make that can help you take care of your brain health.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a single disease. It's an overall term to describe a collection of symptoms that one may experience if they are living with a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease. Diseases grouped under the general term "dementia" are caused by abnormal brain changes. Dementia symptoms trigger a decline in thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function. They also affect behavior, feelings and relationships. Alzheimer's Disease accounts for 60-80% of cases of Dementia.
Signs of dementia can vary greatly. Examples include problems with:
- Short-term memory.
- Keeping track of a purse or wallet.
- Paying bills.
- Planning and preparing meals.
- Remembering appointments.
- Traveling out of the neighborhood.
Dementia symptoms are progressive, which means that the signs of cognitive impairment start out slowly and gradually get worse over time, leading to dementia.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and while the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, it is not a normal part of aging. It is progressive, which means that symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.
To learn more about risk factors, prevention, and resources for those with Alzheimer's or related dementias, read our Brain Health & Alzheimer's Disease Resource Guide
Read the guide in Haitian Creole
Maryland Access Point
Read more about Alzheimer's Disease and related Dementia from Maryland Access Point.
Take the Dementia Screening!
Use the dementia screening tool to compare signs of normal aging to potential signs of mild dementia.
