This is Dementia:
A general term for the symptoms caused by several diseases. To use an example, cancer is not one disease, but a term for several types; dementia is the same concept:
Just as different forms of cancer impact different parts of the body, different forms of dementia impact different parts of the brain and nervous system. This is why dementia is more than just memory.
Dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, cognitive skills (ex: reading, talking, thinking), social abilities and physical skills severely enough to interfere with daily life. It is disease driven and not a natural part of aging.
FAST FACT: Dementia diseases are the 3rd leading cause of death in the US1.
Below is not an all-inclusive list but instead 6 more common diseases. Click below to learn more.
Defend Their Dignity:
Dementia is often misunderstood by most people; which can lead to a lack of empathy, frustration and disconnection with our loved ones.
In order to advocate for their thoughts, we must first understand their thoughts.
Click on any of the above to understand more about the different diseases which lead to dementia.
"The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don't." 2
1 World Health Organization, News Release, 9 December 2020.
2 Arthur Fleck, "The Joker", 2019- Film.