Alzheimer's vs. Dementia: Understanding the Differences

Dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms affecting cognitive abilities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia (60-80% of cases), characterized by progressive neurodegeneration, memory loss, and cognitive decline.

1. Memory Loss Disrupting Daily Life

Forgetting recently learned information, important dates, asking repetitive questions, increasing reliance on memory aids. NOT normal aging: occasionally forgetting names but remembering later.

2. Planning and Problem-Solving Difficulties

Trouble following recipes, tracking bills, concentration issues with numbers. NOT normal aging: occasional errors in calculations.

3. Familiar Task Completion Issues

Difficulty driving to familiar locations, managing household chores, remembering rules of favorite games. NOT normal aging: occasional help needed with electronics.

4. Time/Place Confusion

Losing track of dates, seasons, passage of time; forgetting current location or how one arrived. NOT normal aging: momentary confusion about day of week.

5. Visual-Spatial Relationship Problems

Difficulty reading, judging distance, determining color/contrast, depth perception issues. NOT normal aging: vision changes from cataracts.

6. Language Problems

Word-finding difficulties, stopping mid-conversation, repetition, vocabulary struggles, calling things by wrong name. NOT normal aging: occasional trouble finding perfect word.

7. Misplacing Items with Inability to Retrace Steps

Putting things in unusual places, inability to backtrack, false accusations of theft. NOT normal aging: misplacing items occasionally but retracing steps.

8. Decreased Judgment

Poor financial decisions, less attention to hygiene, inappropriate social behavior. NOT normal aging: occasional bad decision.

9. Social Withdrawal

Abandoning hobbies, sports, social activities, avoiding complex interactions. NOT normal aging: temporary fatigue from obligations.

10. Mood/Personality Changes

Confusion, suspicion, depression, anxiety, fearfulness, easily upset outside comfort zone. NOT normal aging: irritability when routines disrupted.

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is critical for effective treatment planning and care. Recent advancements in dianostic technology, particularly blood biomarker tests, are revolutionizing how quickly and accurately Alzheimer's can be identified, even in early stages. While no single test can definitiely diagnose, doctors specializing in Dementia use a comprehensive approach combining mutliple tests to rule out other conditionss and confirm the presence of symptoms. Diagnostic evaluations can include:

• Cognitive Assessments: Memory, language, problem-solving evaluations.
• Neurological Exams: Reflexes, coordination, muscle tone, and speech testing.
• Blood Biomarker tests: Beta-amyloid, p-tau217 measurements.
• Brain Imaging: MRI, PET scans detecting structural changes, amyloid plaques.
• Mental Health Evaluation: Ruling out depression and anxiety.
• Genetic Testing: Especially for early-onset cases (before age 60).

At Violet Health, we are one of the only facilities in the Metro Detroit Area offering Precivity AD2 testing, an innovative blood test developed by C2N Diagnostics that represents a significant advancement in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Traditional diagnostic methods, like clinical evaluations and brain scans, have an accuracy rate around 60-70%. The Precivity AD2 blood test, on the other hand, demonstrates significantly higher accuracy, reaching around 90% in identifying Alzheimer's disease.

With advances in diagnostic tools like the PrecivityAD2 blood test and new treatments targeting the underlying causes of Alzheimer's, there is growing hope for better management of these conditions. Early and accurate diagnosis remains essential, allowing patients to access appropriate treatments and plan effectively for the future.

It is essential to have a prepared wellness plan to address any challenges that may emerge while caring for your loved one. Creating a sade and supportive environment is crutial for both patient well-being and caregiver peace of mind. THe following strategies address the more common caregiving concerns from medication management to wandering prevention. By implementing these practical measures, caregivers can reduce stress, prevent accidents, and maintain quality of life for their loved ones:

• Pill Organizers: Use labeled compartments for daily/weekly doses.
• Medical Bracelet: Ensure patient wears ID. with medication information.
• Home Security: Install deadbolts, high/low on exterior doors, door alarms, smart doorbells.
• GPS Tracking: Consider wearable devices (watches, pendants, shoe inserts), to ensure your loved one's location and prevent them from getting lost.
• Trip Hazards: Remove throw rugs, secure electrical cords and eliminate clutter.
• Visual Cues: Label rooms, color-code important areas.
• Water Temperature: Install anti-scald devices on faucets/showers