What's the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia?

By Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW

When I'm working in the community, one of the most common questions I get from caregivers is, "What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia?" The truth is, they are the same thing, though the answer is a little more complicated than that. 

Dementia is a syndrome, which is a medical term for a group of symptoms that a person has at the same time. People with dementia often have multiple symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, and personality changes. Alzheimer's is a disease that causes many of the symptoms we see in people with dementia. However, Alzheimer's disease is only one condition that causes dementia symptoms. 

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