Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: They’re NOT the Same Thing…

Here’s Why Some Patients Change at Sundown (or Even During a Full Moon)

If you’ve ever had a loved one with memory problems, you’ve probably heard people use the words dementia and Alzheimer’s like they’re the same thing.

They’re not.

Think of it this way…

Dementia is the umbrella. Alzheimer’s is one of the storms underneath it.

Dementia isn’t actually a disease. It’s a term doctors use to describe a collection of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, judgment, language, and the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Alzheimer’s disease, however, is a specific brain disease—and it’s the most common cause of dementia, accounting for roughly 60–80% of cases. (Mayo Clinic⁠)

But Alzheimer’s isn’t the only one.