A question that is frequently asked to me is, "What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's Disease?"
In order to explain what is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s one first needs to know what dementia is.
Dementia is the deterioration of our cognition. It is important to understand that dementia consists of signs and symptoms.
This is because it is a syndrome and not a disease like Alzheimer's.
There are many causes for dementia and it can be progressive or stable.
Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by the appearance of plaques and tangles in the brain. You can find these tangles and
plaques in every aging brain but in people with Alzheimer's there is an abnormal quantity. These plaques and
tangles interfere with the functioning of our brain on different areas on the brain. Therefore Alzheimer's is
a pathological rapidly aging of the brain.
In shirt, dementia is the deteriorating of mental functions to the point to where it effects your daily life (job, personal care, relationships).
Dementia is actually a name for a group of symptoms. It can be caused by many things (alcohol abuse, accidents, other medical conditions).
So consider the word,
Alzheimer’s is actually a type of dementia. It’s the most common type and it causes a severe decline in intellectual and social function.
The brain begins to degenerate, which causes the symptoms to increase over time.
How Dementia and Alzheimer's Affects Couples
Caregiving can be a heavy burden. The roles that caregivers must accept can be overwhelming. In addition to meeting the physical
needs of the relative with Alzheimer's, such as helping with personal hygiene and dressing, preparing meals, and housekeeping,
it is important to ensure that the person is stimulated by both social and physical activity.
The caregiver must also think
to the future, plan for increasing custodial and medical care, and usually take over fiduciary responsibilities.
Faced with all these tasks, caregivers can easily fall victim to illness and depression.
A study of family dementia
caregivers documented the toll on their health status. Whether the caregiver was an adult child or spouse (usually daughter or wife),
both physical and psychological health problems were found; stress, depression, illness, increased use of alcohol or tobacco,
and lack of physical exercise.
Another danger for the overburdened caregiver is becoming resentful to the point where it is damaging the relationship.
How Couples Counseling Can Help
Couples counseling when someone has dementia or Alzheimer's has some similarities with individual counseling. For example, counseling
is only practical in the early stages of Alzheimer's or in cases of dementia where someone can actively participate in therapy.
When this is the case, strategies to help the couple maintain closeness and deal with arising issues in the focus of couples counseling.
