what is difference between dementia and alheimers? are they the same?im a senior citizen and need to know.thanking you in advance.?

Dementia is a decline in mental ability that usually progresses slowly,in which memory,thinking, judgment and the ability to pay attention and learn are impairedand personality may deteriorate.Dementia can develop suddenly in young people when a sever injury,disease, or toxic substance destroys brain cells.However dementia usually develops slowly and affects people over the age of 60.None the less dementia is not a normal part of aging.As all people age, changes in the brain cause some memory loss--especially short term memory----and some decline in learning ability.These normal changes do not affect the ability to function.Forgetfulness in older people is sometimes called benign senescent forgetfulness and its not necessaryily a sign of demenita or early Alzheimer's disease.

Dementiais a much more serious decline in mental ability,and one that gets worse with time.While folks who are ageing normaily may forget details,people with dementia may forget entire recent events.

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

What causes Alzheimer's disease isn't knowen,but genetic factors play a large part/role--this seems to run in familiesand is caused or infuenced by several apecific gene abnormalities.

Dementia is a general term for disorders that interfere with thought and memory.

Alzheimers is a specific term for one cause of dementia.

Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia, sort of like leukemia is a type of cancer, or apples are a type of fruit.

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, but there are others.

altheimers is a specific disease, which includes dementia