Dementia Society of America is a national volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting families affected by Alzheimer's, Vascular, Lewy Body, FTD Dementia, and more. Dementia Society Helps Answer Your Questions Who ARE we? At the Dementia Society of America®, our mission is to provide HOPE through Dementia AWARENESS and education, fund RESEARCH , and recognize ENGAGEMENT programming focused on powerful therapies such as art, music, movement, touch, and more. We also help individuals, families, care partners, and communities better understand Dementia and navigate the journey with trusted caregiver tools and meaningful care partner support. Dementia Society of America is your volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity serving the nation for all potential causes of Dementia, including: Alzheimer's (AD), late & young-onset Vascular Dementia Mixed Dementia Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) CTE, TBI, HIV, L.A.T.E., and many other causes . DONATE ONLINE Request Free Guide Read Magazine As heard on... Looking for Basic Dementia Information? You've come to the right place. Dementia Society of America® is a Voluntary Health Organization dedicated to helping people better understand Dementia in all its forms , which are often grouped medically as Major Neurocognitive Disorders. We've brought together trusted information and helpful resources from across the country and around the world—making it easier to find the guidance you need in one place. Think of us as a Dementia education information center and Brain Health resource , all working together to bring greater understanding and HOPE. Whether you're living with Dementia, supporting someone who is, caring for a family member or friend, or simply looking to learn more, Dementia Society of America is here for everyone. Subscribe to Monthly eNews Knowledge Brings Hope Millions of Americans are living with some form of Dementia today.* Behind every number is a person—a family member, friend, neighbor, colleague, or care partner. Dementia can affect nearly every part of life, but greater understanding can make the journey less confusing and isolating. At Dementia Society of America®, we share education, resources, and programs that bring HOPE to individuals, families, care partners, organizations, and communities. Dementia Is More Than Alzheimer's Dementia is not a single disease. It is "The Big Umbrella ," a term used to describe symptoms that can be caused by many different diseases, disorders, and conditions. In fact, the latest research suggests that some people who received an Alzheimer-type Dementia diagnosis in past decades may have had Dementia caused by another underlying disease or disorder.** Understanding that distinction matters. It highlights the importance of early screening, appropriate evaluation and testing, and greater awareness of the many possible causes of cognitive impairment and Dementia. The Impact Is Enormous Dementia affects millions of people and carries high emotional, physical, and financial costs. Dementia-related deaths are considerable in the United States,*** while the cost of care totals billions of dollars.**** But statistics tell only part of the story. Families and care partners may face stress, exhaustion, uncertainty, and difficult decisions while supporting someone they care about. Professional caregivers can experience burnout as well. Dementia is costly in ways that cannot always be measured in dollars. Living with Dementia While cures remain unavailable for many causes of progressive Dementia, a diagnosis does not erase the person. People living with Dementia can continue to experience meaning, connection, purpose, joy, and dignity, and we recognize those working to advance non-medical therapies through our Ginny Gives ® Awards . Care partners can also find fulfillment, strength, and meaningful moments along the way—even when caregiving is difficult. That is why education, compassionate support, and practical resources matter. Every Person Deserves Dignity We believe in person-centered care and, whenever possible, person-directed care. That means recognizing each person as an individual—with their own history, preferences, abilities, relationships, and needs—and treating them with respect and dignity throughout their life. Our goal is simple: to help create the best possible quality of life today and more hopeful tomorrows. In fact, you can even watch the TV-style program: The Dementia Action Plan ® to learn even more. Through greater Dementia awareness, education, and support, we can replace confusion with understanding, isolation with connection, and fear with HOPE. Subscribe to Monthly eNews f="https://plus.google.com/110800689506873609463" rel="publisher">Google+ Yes, you can help enhance the lives of those living with Dementia and their caregivers! Please get involved, or donate to the Dementia Society today. SELECTED / EXCERPTED ORIGINAL SOURCES: *Download/view US Burden of Disorders Affecting the Nervous System. Nov. 2025 **Download/view excerpted source here: 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. ***Download/view U.S. Centers for Disease Control, National Vital Statistics Reports, 2025 **** Download/view Univ of Southern California, The Cost of Dementia in 2025

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Click here for Spanish Click here for French Video Transcript [Answer 1015] Welcome and thank you for joining me. Today, we're going to talk about palliative care and how it can help people who live with Dementia. Palliative care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and symptom relief. It is not only for the end of life. Palliative care can be given at any stage of Dementia and can be used alongside other medical treatments. What is palliative care? Palliative care looks at the whole person, not just the illness. It helps manage symptoms like pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, or agitation. It also supports emotional, social, and spiritual needs. A palliative care team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains who work together to support both the person with Dementia and their family. How does palliative care help people living with Dementia? As Dementia progresses, it can become harder for a person to explain how they feel or what hurts. Palliative care providers are trained to notice signs of discomfort and respond with gentle care. They focus on keeping the person calm, safe, and as comfortable as possible. Palliative care also helps families. It offers guidance with difficult decisions, such as treatment choices and care planning. Families can ask questions, talk about goals, and receive support during stressful times. This can reduce worry and help families feel more confident and supported. When should palliative care begin? Palliative care can begin as soon as a Dementia diagnosis is made and continue throughout the illness. Early support often leads to better comfort, fewer hospital visits, and improved quality of life. Palliative care is about dignity, comfort, and honoring what matters most to the person. It helps people living with Dementia feel cared for, not just treated. On behalf of the Dementia Society of America®, thank you again for joining me today. Stay informed, stay healthy, and take care of yourself. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

Deep inside almost every cell in your body are structures called chromosomes. Chromosomes are made of DNA, the genetic material that contains instructions for building and maintaining your body. At the ends of these chromosomes are special sections called telomeres. Telomeres may be tiny, but scientists are very interested in them. Research suggests that they are connected to aging and may also be linked to diseases that affect the brain, including some forms of Dementia. What Are Telomeres? A simple way to understand telomeres is to think about a shoelace. The plastic tips on a shoelace help keep it from fraying. Telomeres do something similar for chromosomes. They are repeating sections of DNA that help protect the ends of chromosomes from damage. Without this protection, chromosome ends could be damaged or even join with other chromosomes. That could cause problems when cells use or copy their DNA. Telomeres therefore help keep our genetic information stable and protected. Why Do Telomeres Get Shorter? Our bodies constantly replace many old or damaged cells. To make a new cell, an existing cell divides. Before it divides, it must copy its DNA. There is a small problem: the cell cannot perfectly copy the very ends of its chromosomes. As a result, telomeres usually become a little shorter each time a cell divides. Some cells use an enzyme called telomerase to rebuild parts of their telomeres. However, telomerase is not active enough in most normal body cells to prevent telomeres from becoming shorter over time. Eventually, a telomere may become so short that the cell can no longer divide normally. The cell may stop dividing, a condition called cellular senescence, or it may die. Telomeres and Aging As Dr. Michael Fossel has said: " If there were a single concept that is key to all of aging, it is the notion that everything in our organs, tissues, and cells is dynamically and actively in flux, rather than a set of organs, tissues, cells, and molecules that deteriorate statically and passively." Because telomeres tend to shorten over time as cells grow and divide, scientists have studied them as one sign of biological aging. Telomere shortening is now considered one of the important processes connected with aging. But telomeres are not simply a clock that tells us exactly how old someone is. People of the same age can have different telomere lengths. Genetics and environmental factors can affect them. Oxidative stress and inflammation may also damage telomeres. As more cells develop very short or damaged telomeres, tissues may have a harder time repairing themselves and functioning normally. Researchers are studying how this process might contribute to diseases that become more common with age. Could Telomeres Be Connected to Dementia? This question is especially interesting because age is a major factor in the development of Dementia. Some studies have found that people with Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of Dementia, tend to have shorter telomeres in certain blood cells than people without the disease. A large analysis of earlier studies found significantly shorter telomeres among people with Alzheimer's disease. Other research has found associations between longer telomeres, greater brain volume, and better performance on tests of cognitive abilities. However, this does not prove that short telomeres cause Dementia. Scientists still do not fully understand the relationship. Short telomeres might contribute to harmful changes, or they might be a sign of other aging processes happening in the body. Studies have produced some conflicting results, and telomere length is not currently considered a reliable test for diagnosing Dementia. Telomeres give researchers another clue about what happens inside our cells as we grow older. By learning more about these tiny chromosome protectors, scientists may better understand healthy aging and why diseases such as Alzheimer's develop. Sources National Human Genome Research Institute. "Telomere.” Genetics Glossary, updated July 27, 2026. National Human Genome Research Institute. "Chromosomes Fact Sheet.” National Institute on Aging. "Section for Telomere Maintenance.” Chakravarti, D., LaBella, K. A., & DePinho, R. A. "Telomeres: History, Health, and Hallmarks of Aging.” Cell, 2021. Gampawar, P., Schmidt, R., & Schmidt, H. "Telomere Length and Brain Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Ageing Research Reviews, 2022. Forero, D. A., et al. “Meta-analysis of Telomere Length in Alzheimer's Disease.” The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2016. Levstek, T., et al. “Telomere Attrition in Neurodegenerative Disorders.” Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2020. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

When Eating and Drinking Become Difficult In this episode of Dementia Unplugged™: Care Essentials, we explore the difficulties that persons living with Dementia have with eating and drinking. This episode is designed to help caregivers, care partners, family members, and loved ones better understand eating and drinking needs and provide appropriate support for a person living with Dementia. About Dementia Unplugged™: Care Essentials From getting dressed in the morning to preparing a meal, using the bathroom, shopping, or getting from place to place, daily routines involve many different physical and cognitive abilities. Dementia Unplugged: Care Essentials explores both Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) and how Dementia may gradually affect a person's ability to complete them. The series helps care partners better understand what they may be seeing, why it may be happening, and how to adjust their approach while continuing to support independence and dignity. Understanding How Needs Change Over Time Care needs are rarely the same throughout the Dementia journey. A person may initially need only a reminder or a little extra time. Later, they may benefit from visual cues, simplified choices, step-by-step guidance, environmental changes, or more hands-on assistance. Understanding these changes can help caregivers focus not only on completing a task, but on preserving the person's abilities for as long as possible. Responding to Resistance With Compassion Resistance does not always mean that someone does not want to cooperate. The person may be confused, uncomfortable, frightened, embarrassed, overwhelmed, tired, or unsure of what is being asked of them. Throughout the series, caregivers will find practical strategies such as slowing down, reducing distractions, and acknowledging feelings. Sometimes changing how we approach an activity can make just as much difference as changing the activity itself. Explore Dementia Unplugged™: Care Essentials Whether you are supporting a family member, friend, client, or someone else living with Dementia, Care Essentials provides practical education you can return to throughout the Dementia journey. Each activity offers an opportunity to better understand the person behind the diagnosis and to find new ways to support them as their needs change. Watch the Dementia Unplugged™: Care Essentials series on YouTube: View the Care Essentials Playlist Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.