Monthly Archives: June 2011

Dementia is not defined as a specific disease; instead it is a more general term that is used to describe a wide range of symptoms related to a decline in memory or other cognitive skills that become severe enough to limit an individual’s ability to perform everyday activities.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and accounts for approximately 60 to 80 percent of all cases. Vascular dementia, which typically occurs after a stroke, is the second most frequent type of dementia.

However, there are several other common medical conditions that can lead to symptoms related to dementia, including several types that are reversible, such as thyroid conditions and vitamin deficiencies, to name a few.

In addition, dementia is commonly incorrectly classified as senile dementia or senility, which specifically references the widespread, but invalid, belief that declines in mental capability and cognitive function are a normal part of the aging process.