<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dementia is a broad term that refers to a deterioration in brain functioning. It can include thought processes, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/poor-judgment-and-alzheimers-disease-98564&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;judgment&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, reasoning, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/types-of-memory-explained-98552&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;memory&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-to-talk-to-someone-with-dementia-97963&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;communication&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/the-complete-guide-to-challenging-behaviors-in-dementia-97607&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;behavior&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What\u2019s the Difference Between Alzheimer\u2019s and Dementia?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dementia is a broad category, while &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-alzheimers-disease-98795&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Alzheimer\u2019s disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is a specific type, and the most common cause, of dementia.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Other kinds of dementia include &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-huntingtons-disease-symptoms-and-causes-98737&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Huntington\u2019s disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-frontotemporal-dementia-98747&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;frontotemporal degeneration&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/vascular-dementia-98802&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;vascular disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/creutzfeldt-jakob-disease-p2-98734&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/parkinsons-disease-dementia-98741&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Parkinson\u2019s dementia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Are the Symptoms of Dementia?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dementia can show up as &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/types-of-memory-explained-98552&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;11&amp;quot;&amp;gt;memory loss&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; (usually &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/short-term-memory-affected-by-alzheimers-98569&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;12&amp;quot;&amp;gt;short-term&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; initially), &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/alzheimers-disease-and-word-finding-difficulties-98554&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;13&amp;quot;&amp;gt;difficulty finding the right words&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/poor-judgment-and-alzheimers-disease-98564&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;14&amp;quot;&amp;gt;poor judgment&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; or a change in &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/the-complete-guide-to-challenging-behaviors-in-dementia-97607&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;15&amp;quot;&amp;gt;behaviors&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Causes Dementia?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dementia results from damage to the brain, and is related to several different neurological conditions that affect cognition, such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, Parkinson\u2019s disease, stroke, and &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;98QBOa9YjgZiWyuoU7fx9A&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/picks-disease-behavioral-dementia-98732&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;16&amp;quot;&amp;gt;frontotemporal dementia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. Each of these diseases has certain risk factors, including lifestyle and genetics.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The risk of developing dementia increases as people age, but it is &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/is-it-forgetfulness-or-alzheimers-98574&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;17&amp;quot;&amp;gt;not a normal consequence of aging&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Prevalence of Dementia&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Approximately half of people over the age of 85 develop Alzheimer\u2019s disease, the most common cause of dementia. Currently, 5.4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer\u2019s or another &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/alzheimers-disease-98770&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;18&amp;quot;&amp;gt;kind of dementia.&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/diagnosing-alzheimers-disease-98044&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;19&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Diagnosis&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; of Dementia&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you suspect someone has dementia, arrange for a doctor\u2019s appointment for an evaluation. Sometimes, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/normal-pressure-hydrocephalus-98842&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;20&amp;quot;&amp;gt;reversible conditions&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; such as &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/normal-pressure-hydrocephalus-nph-98740&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;21&amp;quot;&amp;gt;normal pressure hydrocephalus&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; or &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/is-it-alzheimers-disease-or-vitamin-b12-deficiency-98738&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;22&amp;quot;&amp;gt;vitamin B12 deficiency&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; can cause confusion or &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/types-of-memory-explained-98552&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;23&amp;quot;&amp;gt;memory loss&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. An assessment by a doctor can determine if any of those reversible health concerns exist, as well as outline a plan for &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/treatment-of-alzheimers-disease-98679&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;24&amp;quot;&amp;gt;treatment&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Treatment of Dementia&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Treatment of dementia varies. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/treatment-of-alzheimers-disease-98679&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;25&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Medications&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; that are approved specifically to treat Alzheimer\u2019s disease are often prescribed to treat other kinds of dementia as well. While some people report seeing very little benefit, others report that these medications seem to temporarily improve &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-cognition-how-is-it-affected-by-dementia-98813&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;26&amp;quot;&amp;gt;cognitive functioning&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and slow the progression of dementia.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Other ways to respond to changes in cognition and behavior include &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/coping-with-challenging-behaviors-in-alzheimers-97702&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;27&amp;quot;&amp;gt;non-drug approaches&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; like maintaining a daily routine, changing how caregivers respond to the person with dementia, and paying attention to non-verbal communication from your loved one.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/decrease-alzheimers-risk-98405&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;28&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Preventing Dementia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;There is no sure-fire way to prevent dementia, but research suggests that things such as maintaining an &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/physical-exercise-98465&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;29&amp;quot;&amp;gt;active brain&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, regular &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/half-truths-about-brain-health-98811&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;30&amp;quot;&amp;gt;physical exercise&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/foods-that-reduce-dementia-risk-98464&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;31&amp;quot;&amp;gt;consuming a healthy diet &amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s and other kinds of dementia.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Sources:&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Alzheimer&amp;amp;#39;s Association. What is dementia? Accessed May 19, 2012. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_dementia.asp?type&amp;amp;#61;alzFooter&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;32&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_dementia.asp?type&amp;amp;#61;alzFooter&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/what-is-dementia-98745>