What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is a difference to the meaning of these terms.

Initially, it can be difficult to understand the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s, especially as it seems that they are so closely linked. Here, we will explain both terms to help you better understand their differences.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a broad term for the symptoms that occur when the brain becomes damaged in a certain way. Diseases and causes of dementia include:

• Vascular dementia
• Mixed dementia
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Frontotemporal dementia

The symptoms that fall under the term dementia can vary depending on the part of the brain that has been damaged, and the disease causing them. You can read more about the different types of dementia in our article ‘What is Dementia?’.