By NCCDP — advancing person-centered dementia care through education and certification.
Families, professionals, and the public often use “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” interchangeably. Clear language helps everyone align on evaluation, care planning, and communication that honors the person at the center of care. Below is a concise, evidence-based guide to what dementia is, how it relates to Alzheimer’s disease, and how teams can respond in person-centered ways.
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of cognitive and functional changes—such as memory, attention, language, visuospatial skills, judgment, and behavior—that are severe enough to interfere with everyday life. It has many possible causes, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, Lewy body disease, frontotemporal degeneration, and mixed etiologies. Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
Clinically, dementia corresponds to major neurocognitive disorder in DSM terminology, which evaluates change across core domains: complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, perceptual–motor function, and social cognition.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. It is a progressive brain disease that often begins with changes in learning and recalling new information (episodic memory) and gradually affects other cognitive and functional abilities over time.
Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: the key distinction
- Dementia = a syndrome (the what): a pattern of cognitive and functional changes that disrupt daily life.
- Alzheimer’s = a specific disease (the why): one biological cause of that syndrome—and the most common one.
This distinction matters because assessment, prognosis, risk reduction, and care strategies can differ by cause. For example, fluctuating attention and visual changes are common in Lewy body disease; early behavioral or language changes may point toward frontotemporal syndromes; a stepwise decline could suggest vascular contributions. Correct labeling guides the right referrals, safety planning, communication strategies, and family education.
Why person-centered language matters
People live with dementia; they are not defined by it. Use language that prioritizes the person and their preferences, and compare changes to the person’s lifelong baseline. Partner with the individual and family to co-create daily routines, environmental supports, and communication approaches that preserve autonomy and dignity.
What to do when changes are noticed
- Seek a medical evaluation: Bring concrete examples (what changed, when, how often, impact on daily life). Ask about screening, labs, imaging as appropriate, and referrals (neurology, geriatrics, neuropsychology). Evaluate for reversible or treatable contributors (e.g., sensory loss, sleep disorders, depression, thyroid/B-12 abnormalities, medication effects).
- Plan early and together: Discuss safety (driving, falls, wandering), communication preferences, work and role adaptations, and legal/financial planning while the person can lead decisions.
- Adopt practical supports: Person-centered communication, cueing, simplified steps, and meaningful activities can reduce distress and sustain independence. Evidence-based caregiver education improves outcomes for people and families.
How NCCDP can help
NCCDP equips teams with practical, person-centered skills that translate evidence into daily care:
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP): Foundational, evidence-informed best practices for all team members across settings.
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) Seminar: Communication strategies, behavior supports, and safety planning you can apply immediately.
- Memory Care Excellence Network (MCEN): An organization-wide framework aligning people, processes, and outcomes, with a Seal of Excellence that demonstrates your standards.
Key takeaways
- Dementia is a syndrome with many causes; Alzheimer’s is the most common cause.
- Accurate language guides the right workup and care plan.
- Person-centered education and routines help preserve autonomy and quality of life.
References:
Alzheimer’s Association. (n.d.). Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s disease: What is the difference? https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 17). About dementia. https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/about/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 15). About Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/about/alzheimers.html
McDonald, W. M., & Jefferson, A. L. (2017). Overview of neurocognitive disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(3), 391–407. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6519631/
National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Alzheimer’s and dementia. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia
National Institute on Aging. (2025, March 4). What is Alzheimer’s disease? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease
World Health Organization. (2025, March 31). Dementia: Fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Dementia: Key facts. https://www.who.int/health-topics/dementia
