Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia- Key Signs Differences and Insights for Social Workers

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia- Key Signs Differences and Insights for Social Workers

Brain aging is a normal part of human development. According to the Alzheimer’s Society (2017), one cause of brain aging is the unusual deposition of proteins, tangles, and plaques comprising the tau and amyloid proteins. The consequence of this unusual protein deposition is the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition characterized by continuous brain cell shrinkage and death due to tangles and plaque deposition (NIH, 2021). Consistently, this factor indicates the disease is progressive, leading to memory loss, difficulties in completing tasks, and disruption of thinking skills; it commonly affects members of the elderly community (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Accordingly, Alzheimer’s disease is accompanied by various symptoms and contributes to the development of Dementia

Some Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Various symptoms accompany Alzheimer’s disease that Social Workers should be aware of when they interact with individuals with the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021), common signs include difficulties identifying individuals and items, forgetfulness involving items functionality, steps retracing, repetition of phrases, and difficulties completing tasks. These are some of the symptoms a social worker should be aware of while interacting with individuals with the disease.

Comparison Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

There is an evident contrast between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. The term for a group of symptoms stemming from mental impairment affecting an individual’s daily functioning is Dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022). Accordingly, Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that contributes to the development of Dementia. In contrast, Dementia is not a disease but an umbrella term for mental impairments affecting daily functioning (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022).

Surprising Facts on Alzheimer’s Disease

The most surprising information on Alzheimer’s Disease is its fatality. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2022), Alzheimer’s Disease leads to more death casualties than prostate and breast cancer together. Additionally, it was estimated that of all Americans aged at least 65 years of age, those who have Alzheimer’s Dementia total approximately 6.2 million people (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022).

References

Alzheimer’s Association. (2022). Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease: What is the Difference? Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s.

Alzheimer’s Association. (2022). Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures.

Alzheimer’s Society. (2017). What is Alzheimer’s Disease? [Video].

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). The Truth About Aging and Dementia. Cdc.gov. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/dementia-not-normal-aging.html.

NIH. (2021). What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? National Institute on Aging. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-alzheimers-disease.

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Please review the readings and consider the following in your response:

What are some of the signs of Alzheimer’s Disease that a Social Worker should be aware of?

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia- Key Signs Differences and Insights for Social Workers

What are the differences between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?
What surprised you about this information?