Dementia and Alzheimer's: What Is the Difference?
The terms dementia and Alzheimer's are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Learn the key distinctions and what they mean for senior care in Indonesia.
Close-up of senior hands – illustrating dementia and Alzheimer's awareness
Dementia and Alzheimer's: What Is the Difference?
The terms dementia and Alzheimer's are being heard more and more frequently. Yet many people in the general public still do not have a clear understanding of what dementia actually means — or how it differs from Alzheimer's disease. It is worth taking a closer look at both.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a collection of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the functioning of the brain, but dementia itself is not — and is not caused by — any single specific disease. Dementia can be caused, among other things, by a number of conditions and diseases including Alzheimer's, Lewy Body disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, malnutrition, hormonal disorders, depression, medication interactions, infections, and brain tumours.
Dementia may be recognised when a person begins to forget things frequently, makes errors in simple tasks, experiences personality changes, and displays emotional instability. Dementia affects a person's behaviour, thoughts, and everyday capabilities — and this in turn impacts their social life.
Most people affected by dementia have reached older age. However, it is important to understand that dementia is not a normal part of the ageing process, and older adults are not inevitably destined to develop it. Dementia can occur in anyone, regardless of age.
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Dementia can have several possible causes. The most prevalent cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for 50–75% of all dementia cases. Alzheimer's is a disease that attacks the brain directly: abnormal protein deposits form throughout the brain, causing healthy neurons to stop functioning, lose their connections with other neurons, and ultimately die.
Care and Support for People with Dementia and Alzheimer's
RUKUN Dementia Support Solution is a comprehensive range of solutions designed to support the families of seniors in caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Our services go beyond support alone. Guided by a philosophy of holistic wellbeing and a warm, activity-rich environment, we provide a high quality of life for residents with dementia who require additional attention in their daily lives.
Activity Staff are on hand every day with a varied programme of activities to optimise the quality of life of every resident. For seniors who reside with us, friendly and trained Caregivers are present around the clock — 24 hours a day — providing services ranging from assistance with dressing, bathing, and personal care, to meals, medication management, and mobility support.
RUKUN Dementia Support Solution
Email: info@rukunseniorliving.com
Phone: 021 8795 1525
Dementia is an umbrella term referring to a collection of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and everyday capabilities — it is not a single disease. Alzheimer's is one of the diseases that can cause dementia, and it is the most common cause, accounting for 50–75% of all dementia cases.
Dementia can be caused by a range of conditions, including: Alzheimer's disease (most common), Lewy Body disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, malnutrition, hormonal disorders, depression, medication interactions, infections, and brain tumours.
No. Although the majority of people affected by dementia are older adults, dementia is not a normal part of ageing and does not automatically occur in all older people. Dementia can affect anyone, regardless of age.
Alzheimer's attacks the brain directly through the formation of abnormal protein deposits throughout the brain. These deposits cause healthy neurons to stop functioning, lose their connections with other neurons, and eventually die — resulting in a gradual decline in cognitive function and everyday capabilities.
RUKUN Dementia Support Solution — operated by PT. RUKUN SAHABAT SENIOR in Sentul, Bogor — provides integrated services for people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, including: daily activity facilitation by Activity Staff, 24-hour care by trained Caregivers, and assistance with dressing, bathing, personal care, meals, medication management, and mobility.