Understanding the Condition, Types, and Warning Signs

If you or a loved one has recently been affected by memory changes, you might be asking: What is dementia? At Sweet Basil Senior Care, we work with families navigating this question. Understanding what dementia is—and isn’t—is the first step toward compassionate care and support.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is not a single disease. It’s a term that describes a range of conditions affecting memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities. Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells, which affects communication between different areas of the brain. 

Many people also ask: What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s? The answer is that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but not the only one. Think of dementia as the umbrella, and Alzheimer’s as one specific condition underneath it. 

What Causes Dementia?

What causes dementia can vary depending on the type. In general, it's linked to damage in the brain from factors like disease, stroke, head injury, or abnormal protein build-up. Age, genetics, and lifestyle also play a role.

Other factors can also temporarily worsen symptoms. These include infections, medication changes, dehydration, lack of sleep, or stress. Understanding and managing these factors can improve the quality of life for someone living with dementia.

What Are the Early Signs of Dementia?

Many families wonder: What are the signs of dementia, or what are the early signs of dementia? While every person is different, common symptoms in the early stages include:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life

• Difficulty planning or solving problems

• Trouble completing familiar tasks

• Confusion with time or place

• Trouble understanding visual images

• Problems with words and speaking

• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

• Poor judgment or decision-making

• Withdrawal from work or social activities

• Mood and personality changes

According to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, these are known as the 10 warning signs of dementia, and recognizing them early allows for better planning and care.

Types of Dementia

Sometimes, it can take several years for enough symptoms to appear to point to a specific type of dementia. Keeping a record of the changes you observe can help your physician identify what type of dementia has developed. Knowing the specific type can guide treatment options and help you anticipate what you can expect as dementia progresses.

Some types of dementia are reversible. They may be caused by a medication reaction, vitamin deficiency, metabolic change, or something else. If you are experiencing changes in your memory or cognitive abilities, consult a doctor immediately.

For many types of dementia, there are no cures yet. However, treatment options exist that can slow progression and make symptoms more manageable, especially when started early. 

• Alzheimer’s Disease: The most common form of dementia marked by memory loss, word-finding or other language difficulty, disorientation to time and place, and impaired problem-solving and judgment. Mood and personality changes can also occur. Often, other forms of dementia are initially diagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease because many dementia symptoms can overlap.

• Vascular Dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often following a series of small strokes that deprive the brain of oxygen. It may cause impaired judgment, disorientation, slowed thinking, memory loss, and trouble organizing, among other things.

• Lewy Body Dementia: Involves abnormal protein deposits in the brain. Changes in thinking can resemble Alzheimer's Disease but over time can begin to differ. Symptoms can include fluctuating cognitive abilities, changes in walking and movement, visual hallucinations, and REM sleep disorder. Some people diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease will develop symptoms consistent with Lewy Body Dementia.

• Frontotemporal Dementia: Includes several conditions with a variety of symptoms. Changes can be observed in personality including decreased inhibition, compulsive behavior, apathy, social skill decline and a lack of awareness of changes. Many will experience aphasia, a loss of the ability to understand and express language. Most people are diagnosed in their fifties or sixties. 

Although these are the most common forms diagnosed, there are many other types of dementia, including Posterior Cortical Atrophy, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Primary Progressive Aphasia, and others. Mixed dementia is a condition where more than one form of dementia is present, and this is more common than once thought. It’s important to remember that every person living with dementia is unique and overlap between the different forms of dementia is common. 

What Causes Memory Loss?

While dementia is a leading cause of memory loss, it’s not the only one. Stress, anxiety, depression, medications, and sleep deprivation can also affect memory. That’s why a professional assessment is important when symptoms first appear. 

How We Help

Sweet Basil Senior Care offers education, coaching, and direct support to families and caregivers. Whether you're looking for care resources, help understanding a new dementia diagnosis, or guidance managing symptoms, we’re here for you.

Our dementia expert, Ann, specializes in family coaching, group education, and emotional support—helping families stay strong and connected even as the disease progresses.

You’re Not Alone

Navigating dementia is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re noticing the early signs of dementia in someone you love, reach out. Sweet Basil Senior Care is here to help you find clarity, confidence, and support in every stage of the journey.