Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s: Explained Simply

When a doctor says dementia, many families immediately assume it means Alzheimer’s disease. Then, confusion begins when they hear phrases like “a type of dementia” or “not Alzheimer’s, but dementia.” Suddenly, the diagnosis feels unclear and overwhelming. This reaction is completely normal, especially when you’re trying to plan the next steps for an aging loved one in Cleveland.

The reality is that dementia and Alzheimer’s aren’t the same thing. Dementia is a broad term, while Alzheimer’s is one specific disease within that category. Families need to understand the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s as causes, progression, and care needs can differ.

This guide explains everything in plain language for families in Cleveland, Ohio. It will help you understand the diagnosis and make informed care decisions with confidence.

Dementia vs Alzheimer's: Simplified

The easiest way to understand the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s is to think of dementia as an umbrella term. Dementia is not a single disease. Instead, it describes a group of symptoms that affect how the brain works. Under that umbrella sit several different diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease is one of them.

Cancer is a good comparison. Cancer is a broad term, but lung cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia are all different diseases with different causes and treatments. Dementia works the same way. Alzheimer’s is one specific type, but it is not the only one.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia refers to a collection of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, problem-solving, language, and social abilities. These changes must be serious enough to interfere with daily life and represent a decline from how the person used to function. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, even though it becomes more common as people get older. Importantly, dementia itself is not a diagnosis of what caused the problem. It tells you what is happening, not why it is happening.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a specific brain disease and the most common cause of dementia, accounting for about 60 to 80 percent of cases. It is caused by abnormal protein buildup in the brain (plaques and tangles), which damages and kills brain cells over time. Alzheimer’s is progressive and irreversible. It was first described in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer.

Key Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s

While Alzheimer’s is one cause of dementia, not all dementia looks or behaves the same way. Hence, the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s becomes clearer when you look at how they differ in cause, symptoms, progression, diagnosis, and treatment.
 

Feature	Dementia	Alzheimer’s Disease
Cause	Many causes: Alzheimer's, Vascular disease, Lewy bodies, head injury, Parkinson's, HIV, and long-term substance abuse.	One specific cause: Abnormal buildup of Beta-amyloid plaques and Tau tangles in the brain.
Symptoms	Highly variable: Can be personality change, movement issues, or memory problems.	Recent memory loss is usually the earliest and most prominent symptom.
Progression	Progression varies widely. Some types decline in steps, some fluctuate day to day, and some progress more rapidly	Usually steady and gradual, moving through early, middle, and late stages over several years
Diagnosis	Based on meeting criteria for cognitive impairment and functional decline.	Alzheimer’s cannot be definitively diagnosed during life. Diagnosis is based on specific symptom patterns and brain imaging.
Treatment	Highly dependent on the underlying cause (e.g., managing blood pressure for Vascular dementia).	There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but treatments may temporarily slow symptoms.

Other Common Types of Dementia

While Alzheimer’s disease is the most well-known, there are several other types of dementia that families in Cleveland may encounter. Each affects the brain differently and can change how symptoms appear and progress.

1. Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia and is linked to reduced blood flow to the brain. This often happens after strokes or long-term damage to blood vessels. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and heart disease.

Symptoms often involve problems with planning, organization, and slowed thinking rather than early memory loss. Progression is frequently step-wise, with periods of stability followed by sudden declines. Many older adults suffer from mixed dementia, a combination of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, in the brain. It shares features with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and is often misdiagnosed early on.

Key symptoms include vivid visual hallucinations, Parkinson’s-like movement problems such as stiffness or tremors, and fluctuating cognition. Families often notice that the person has very clear days followed by very confused days. Sleep disturbances, especially acting out dreams, are also common.

Lewy body dementia requires careful medical management because some medications commonly used for behavior symptoms can cause severe side effects. Progression typically averages five to eight years but varies widely.

3. Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It often appears earlier than Alzheimer’s, typically between ages 45 and 65.
 
Memory loss is usually not the first symptom. Instead, families may notice personality changes, impulsive behavior, loss of empathy, or language difficulties. FTD can be especially challenging because the person may look physically healthy while their behavior changes significantly. Progression averages six to eight years.

4. Mixed Dementia

Mixed dementia means more than one type of dementia is present at the same time. The most common combination is Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, especially in adults over age 80.

Symptoms reflect both conditions, which can make diagnosis and treatment more complex. This is one reason why an accurate evaluation is so important, as care plans often need to address multiple causes.

5. Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

Parkinson’s disease dementia develops in people who have lived with Parkinson’s disease for several years. Movement symptoms such as tremor or stiffness appear first, followed later by cognitive decline.

Although it shares similarities with Lewy body dementia, the timing of symptoms helps distinguish the two. Over time, many people with Parkinson’s will develop some level of dementia and require both physical and cognitive support.

What This Means for Care

While the types of dementia differ, the core care principles remain the same. All dementia patients benefit from structured routines, safety modifications, familiar environments, clear communication, and consistent support. For Cleveland families, having caregivers trained in dementia care can make daily routines safer and less stressful for everyone involved.

Where Care Approaches Differ

This is where the accurate diagnosis becomes vital. The following distinctions guide professional caregivers in tailoring their approach:
 

Dementia Type	Key Care Focus	Details
Alzheimer's Disease	Memory support	Visual reminders, calendars, labeled drawers, photographs, and predictable daily schedules reduce confusion.
Vascular Dementia	Cardiovascular health	Rigorous management of risk factors (diet, blood pressure, exercise, cholesterol) to prevent future strokes and stabilize cognitive function.
Lewy Body Dementia	Managing fluctuations & falls	Fall prevention, mobility support, calm responses to hallucinations, and careful antipsychotic medication management.
Frontotemporal Dementia	Behavioral management	Focus on managing impulsivity, social inappropriateness, and compulsive behaviors. Distraction and redirection are key to navigating personality changes.

Getting a Proper Diagnosis

"Dementia" alone is not a sufficient diagnosis. You need to know the cause to ensure the care and management plan is correct. Since some causes are treatable or reversible, pursuing a specific diagnosis is the most important action a family can take early on. Specific diagnosis rule out reversible causes, guides treatment, and aids the planning process.

We have explained the diagnostic process below:

1. Medical history and physical exam: The doctor takes a detailed history from the patient and family about the onset and progression of symptoms. They focus on changes in memory, behavior, and daily function.
2. Cognitive testing: Standardized tests are used to assess the severity of impairment. Common tools include the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
3. Blood tests: These tests are crucial to rule out reversible causes. They check for things like thyroid function, B12 levels, liver function, and infections.
4. Brain Imaging:
   • MRI or CT scans: Used to look for structural changes, like evidence of strokes (Vascular Dementia), tumors, or characteristic patterns of brain shrinkage seen in Alzheimer's or FTD.
   • PET Scans: Specialized scans can sometimes detect amyloid plaques or tau tangles. They confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer's while the person is alive (though these are often expensive and not always standard).
5. Neuropsychological Testing: Sometimes, a comprehensive battery of tests is performed by a specialist to measure specific cognitive domains (like language, executive function, and attention) in great detail.

Who to See in the Cleveland Area

While the process often starts with a primary care physician, a specialist offers the greatest chance of an accurate and specific diagnosis

• Neurologist: A doctor specializing in the brain and nervous system.
• Geriatrician: A doctor specializing in the complex health needs of older adults.
• Specialized centers: Cleveland families are fortunate to have access to major resources like the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health or the University Hospitals Neurological Institute. These centers offer multidisciplinary teams of experts.

Questions to Ask the Doctor

Seeking a second opinion is always reasonable, especially when the initial diagnosis is unclear or non-specific. Given the complexity of dementia, different specialists may detect subtle differences that lead to a more precise diagnosis.

• "What type of dementia do you think this is, and why?"
• "What tests will you perform to rule out reversible causes?"
• "What is the expected progression and duration for this specific type?"
• "What treatments (medications and therapies) are available for this specific diagnosis?"

Conclusion

A good understanding of the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s helps families move from confusion to confidence. While the diagnosis may feel overwhelming at first, having clear information makes it easier to plan and provide meaningful support.

Professional dementia care can make a real difference. BrightStar Care Cleveland provides specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care, delivered by trained caregivers who understand the unique needs of each condition. Call us at (440) 613-150 to learn how personalized dementia care can support both your loved one and your family.

Summary

• Is Alzheimer’s dementia? Yes, dementia is a broad term describing symptoms, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease and the most common cause of dementia.
• Knowing the exact type of dementia allows families to plan care, anticipate changes, and set realistic expectations.
• Accurate diagnosis supports better treatment decisions and safer care strategies.
• BrightStar Care Cleveland the best Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving service in Cleveland.