A progressive, degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia (60–80% of cases). Not all dementia types are Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease is result of abnormal buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.

Symptoms: usually gradual and worsening over years-

• Early: Subtle short-term memory loss, repeating questions, misplacing items
• Middle: Confusion about time/place, trouble recognizing familiar people, poor judgment, difficulty with speech and reading
• Later: Severe memory loss, loss of mobility, inability to conduct basic self-care, personality changes, hallucinations
  • Dementia = is umbrella term for symptom category
  • Alzheimer’s = one disease within that category

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