Difference Between Dementia and Senility

Senility can be an old-fashioned term for dementia, but using the two interchangeably implies that characteristics of dementia are typical of advancing age — which is not true. Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that affect the ability to think, concentrate, or remember.

1. Is there a difference between dementia and senility?
2. What are the 7 stages of dementia?
3. How can you tell if someone is senile?
4. What are the symptoms of senile dementia?
5. Do people with dementia know they have it?
6. At what age does memory start to decline?
7. At what point do dementia patients need 24 hour care?
8. Which is worse dementia or Alzheimer's?
9. How quickly can dementia progress?

Is there a difference between dementia and senility?

While senility is a loosely used and somewhat inaccurate and negative reference to cognitive loss, dementia is an accepted medical term. Dementia includes a broad range of brain conditions that cause a progressive decline in a person's ability to think and remember.

What are the 7 stages of dementia?

The 7 Stages of Dementia

• Memory.
• Communication and speech.
• Focus and concentration.
• Reasoning and judgment.
• Visual perception (including trouble detecting movement, differentiating colors, or experiencing hallucinations)

How can you tell if someone is senile?

1. Subtle short-term memory changes. Trouble with memory can be an early symptom of dementia. ...
2. Difficulty finding the right words. ...
3. Changes in mood. ...
4. Apathy. ...
5. Difficulty completing normal tasks. ...
6. Confusion. ...
7. Difficulty following storylines. ...
8. A failing sense of direction.

What are the symptoms of senile dementia?

Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:

• memory problems, particularly remembering recent events.
• increasing confusion.
• reduced concentration.
• personality or behaviour changes.
• apathy and withdrawal or depression.
• loss of ability to do everyday tasks.

Do people with dementia know they have it?

Do People With Dementia Know Something Is Wrong With Them? Alzheimer's disease progressively destroys brain cells over time, so during the early stages of dementia, many do recognize something is wrong, but not everyone is aware. They may know they are supposed to recognize you, but they can't.

At what age does memory start to decline?

Memory loss can begin from age 45, scientists say. As all those of middle age who have ever fumbled for a name to fit a face will believe, the brain begins to lose sharpness of memory and powers of reasoning and understanding not from 60 as previously thought, but from as early as 45, scientists say.

At what point do dementia patients need 24 hour care?

When living at home is no longer an option

There may come a time when the person living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia will need more care than can be provided at home. During the middle stages of Alzheimer's, it becomes necessary to provide 24-hour supervision to keep the person with dementia safe.

Which is worse dementia or Alzheimer's?

Dementia is an overall term used to describe symptoms that impact memory, performance of daily activities, and communication abilities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease gets worse with time and affects memory, language, and thought.

How quickly can dementia progress?

Rapidly progressive dementias (RPDs) are dementias that progress quickly, typically over the course of weeks to months, but sometimes up to two to three years. RPDs are rare and often difficult to diagnose. Early and accurate diagnosis is very important because many causes of RPDs can be treated.