Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes with a history of repetitive brain trauma. Learn more. CTE Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head. CTE has been known to affect boxers since the 1920s. However, recent reports have been published of neuropathologically confirmed CTE in retired professional football players and other athletes who have a history of repetitive brain trauma. This trauma triggers progressive degeneration of the brain tissue, including the build-up of an abnormal protein called tau. These changes in the brain can begin months, years, or even decades after the last brain trauma or end of active athletic involvement. The brain degeneration is associated with memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and, eventually, progressive Dementia. Page Source: click here . Concussion Legacy's Suspected CTE Caregiver Guide: click here. Centers for Disease Control's CTE information: click here. Click below on the various terms to learn more about both common and more rare conditions, syndromes and diseases, that can cause, or include symptoms leading to Dementia: Dementia-Like Conditions (that may be reversible); Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Alzheimer's Disease (AD or ALZ) Dementia; Mixed Dementia; Vascular Dementia; Young Onset Dementia; Lewy Body Dementia (LBD); Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD); AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC); Huntington's Disease with Dementia; Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with Dementia; Parkinson's Disease (PD) with Dementia; Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury (CTE) Dementia; Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Dementia; Down Syndrome with Dementia; Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA); Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA); Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) Dementia; Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE);*** Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Dementia; Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD); Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP); CADASIL;*** Sanfilippo Syndrome*** Batten Disease (Childhood Dementia);*** Binswanger Disease.*** Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA)*** Various Childhood Dementias*** Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy*** Don't see what you're looking for? Please contact us. *** Takes you to a non-DSA website. Go back to Definitions | Click Here

Join the Cognitive Action Plan Workshop by the Dementia Society of America. Equip yourself with tools to manage dementia, promoting cognitive health & wellness. The Cognitive Action Plan ® Educational learning experiences with factual, easy-to-understand concepts, and accessible information. DONATE Live (In-Person or Virtual) Presentation : Led by the Dementia Society of America's founder and nationally recognized spokesperson, Kevin Jameson, this approximately 1-hour presentation will take you through the top 10 lifestyle modifications that have been thought to be among the most likely building blocks of better brain health. By citing international science-based studies, Kevin details the positive steps you can easily take to increase the likelihood of mitigating the effects of aging, disease, and decades-old lifestyle choices. We are all at risk for neurocognitive disorders because we have a brain, making this talk incredibly life-changing. Mr. Jameson brings nearly 40 years of professional on-stage experience, emotion, and skill to this lively, uplifting talk. You walk out feeling empowered to make a difference in your own life and the lives of those around you. Please contact us to request The Cognitive Action Plan ® as a live talk (in-person or virtual) at your next event. Go back to Education | Click Here

Make a bequest, memorial, or other legacy contribution to support the mission of the Dementia Society of America Dementia Bequests, Donations & Memorials Thank you for considering supporting the Dementia Society of America. With your Dementia donation, bequest, or memorial, you take an active role in becoming part of the solution. Your generous contributions help us further our mission to enhance the lives of people living with Dementia, their caregivers, and the community. DONATE As an IRS-registered national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, headquartered just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, your Dementia donation, bequest, or memorial qualifies as a tax-deductible contribution. No matter where you live if Dementia has touched you or someone you know, consider giving today. Dementia Bequests If you’d like to leave a meaningful legacy, consider remembering the Dementia Society of America in your will or trust. During the estate planning process, you may designate a specific dollar amount, asset, property, or percentage of your estate assets in your will to help us further our mission of helping people living with Dementia and their caregivers. The following is a sample bequest language for your will or trust that you can customize to suit your desired bequest: “I give and bequeath to the Dementia Society of America, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, the sum of $__________ (or specific asset or ________ percent of the remainder of my estate) to be used for its general charitable purposes.” Contact the Society at 1-800-DEMENTIA (800-336-3684) if you have further questions about making a bequest—press option #3. Mail or checks that need to go to a physical address (not our PO Box), may be sent to our national headquarters: Dementia Society of America 188 N Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901 Download a Declaration of Bequest Intention form here . YOUR GIFT CHANGES LIVES. Donate Online Donate Stock Donate by Check Dementia Donations As a donor, you can help us advance understanding, therapies, and coping mechanisms for the leading forms of Dementia. We graciously accept: Alzheimer’s disease Dementia donations Vascular Dementia donations Lewy Body Dementia donations Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Dementia donations Frontotemporal Dementia donations Mixed Dementia donations Other Dementia donations There are many Dementia donation options available so that you can choose the method that’s right for you. Dementia Memorials If you wish to encourage donations to the Dementia Society of America in lieu of flowers to memorialize a loved one, please consider adding the following statement to the obituary: "In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of _____________ to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online." In addition to an obituary published by the Funeral Director, you may choose to create a memorial page to remember the life of a loved one who battled Dementia. In partnership with Ancestry.com® and their We Remember ™ initiative, you can establish a We Remember memorial page online for no fee, and it will remain online without the need for renewal. Together, let’s help pay tribute to a life well-lived. Learn how to set up a Memorial Page for your loved one. Donate Online or Check Donate by Mail Make a Bequeath How Your Dementia Donations, Bequests, and Memorials Make a Difference No matter how big or small, every Dementia donation, bequest, and memorial counts. Choosing to give back is an honorable and rewarding way to show your support. We use these generous and noble contributions for: Dementia Awareness, Education, and connections to Local Resources to Help Individuals and Families in their Journey Life-Enrichment Music, Art, Movement & Touch/Sensory Programs to Benefit those Living with Dementia Recognizing Outstanding Carers, Innovators, and Researchers Education We believe in the value of knowledge as the first step toward understanding Dementia. Facts and information help raise awareness, decrease stigma, and offer coping strategies that can enhance one's quality of life. Through our global call-to-action, Know Dementia®, we aim to help every individual and employer in the U.S. understand the facts about Dementia. Recognition of exemplary people and organizations Our non-medical and easy-to-understand Dementia awareness resources and programs are geared for individuals, small and large companies, civic organizations, and the community. We develop monthly quality-of-life programs for continuing care communities and Dementia-friendly forums to highlight promising and meaningful therapies for people living with Dementia and their caregivers. Some people living with Dementia may long to hear music, express their feelings, feel the touch of a warm and loving hand, or watch graceful swaying and swinging dancers (and join in, if able). Underwritten by generous supporters like you from across the country, our Ginny Gives Grants programs provide life-enhancing opportunities for people living with Dementia to connect through art, music, dance, sensory stimulation, and other modalities. Your Dementia donations, bequests, and memorials help us provide quality-of-life programs designed for nursing homes, continuing care residential communities, and other Dementia communities. Our uniquely designed programs include: Art programs – Experiencing and interacting with art through creations, traveling art exhibits, or museum visits (as one is able) shares comforting artful energy, which is a remarkable gift. Music programs – Whether it’s a small group gathered around an instrument, a violin serenade, or barbershop quartet, beloved music and song can reach people deeply. Dance programs – With comfort and safety in mind, movement – however small – is often a powerful therapy for enhancing the sense of well-being and security. Sensory stimulation programs – Holding hands, a gentle shoulder rub, feeling smooth silk, or smelling the warm cinnamon are just some sensory experiences that can instill a sense of calm. These are just some of the examples of programs that your contributions help us provide. Reach out to learn more about the ways we’re helping people living with Dementia and their caregivers. Donate Online or Check Donate by Mail Make a Bequeath Resources and Programs People providing exceptional caregiving, counseling, engagement, and nutritional support deserve to be recognized for their valiant efforts to enhance the quality of life for people living with Dementia. We also honor companies working toward developing prevention initiatives and creating innovative products, services, and solutions. Your Dementia donations, bequests, and memorials help promote the following recognition efforts: Dementia Carer® Award – Recognizes exceptional heartfelt and compassionate caregiving Dementia SMART® Award – Recognizes organizations that develop assistive innovations and solutions for people living with Dementia Dementia QUEST® Award – Recognizes research that contributes to furthering medical understanding of Dementia, including possible cures, causes, and interventions Meaningful therapies – Recognizes those offering therapies centered on visual and audible arts, dance and movement, and touch and sensory stimulation to people living with Dementia or their caregivers As the nation’s leading volunteer-driven, all-Dementias awareness organization, we appreciate your support as we work to assist people living with Dementia and their families and caretakers. When we come together to make a difference, we can enhance many peoples’ lives. If you share a passion for making change happen, please join us in our mission. Please contact us today to learn more about Dementia donations, bequests, and memorials. Donate Online or Check Donate by Mail Make a Bequeath

Small brain abnormalities in specific regions are key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Don’t see what you need? Contact us today. Alzheimer's DONATE Learn its history and what Alzheimer's research has discovered so far. Also, consider investigating an Alzheimer's clinical trial here . Minor abnormalities, so-called amyloid plaques, and tau tangles that form in the brain and are found in specific locations throughout are two distinguishing hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease Dementia. Advanced testing, such as PET scans, MRI, DNA, and spinal fluid analysis, can shed invaluable light on the probability of Alzheimer's. Alois Alzheimer was a German psychiatrist who discovered the pathological condition of Dementia and diagnosed the disease that bears his name. Alois was born in Marktbreit, Germany, in 1864 and showed an early aptitude for science. After obtaining his medical degree, he worked in hospitals in Frankfurt, where he met Auguste Deter, a 51-year-old woman suffering from progressive short-term memory loss. He was eventually able to isolate the pathological causes of severe Dementia, work so extensive that the condition became known as Alzheimer's disease. Source: click here . Today, it is believed that "Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of Dementia among older people. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities. AD begins slowly . It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering recent events or the names of people they know. A related problem, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), causes more memory problems than usual for people of the same age. Many, but not all, people with MCI will develop AD. In AD, symptoms get worse over time . People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading, or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later, they may become anxious or aggressive or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care, which can cause great stress for family members who must care for them. AD usually begins after age 60 . The risk goes up as you get older. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease. No treatment can stop the disease. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from worsening for a limited time." Source: click here . You may also be interested to r ead about the IDEA Study and how the results suggested that about a third of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the past, now, due to recent advancements in imaging , were found not to have Alzheimer's disease. Yes, they may have had significant cognitive impairments, but their cause was not necessarily Alzheimer's disease, and the treatment plan was altered accordingly. Source: click here . Lastly, a well-known study of nuns, lasting decades, has indicated that some individuals can live cognitively intact, showing no signs or clues to significant degenerative changes, despite having the hallmarks of a Dementia pathology seen at their autopsy. Source: click here . Click below on the various terms to learn more about both common and more rare conditions, syndromes and diseases, that can cause, or include symptoms leading to Dementia: Dementia-Like Conditions (that may be reversible); Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Alzheimer's Disease (AD or ALZ) Dementia; Mixed Dementia; Vascular Dementia; Young Onset Dementia; Lewy Body Dementia (LBD); Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD); AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC); Huntington's Disease with Dementia; Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with Dementia; Parkinson's Disease (PD) with Dementia; Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury (CTE) Dementia; Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Dementia; Down Syndrome with Dementia; Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA); Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA); Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) Dementia; Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE);*** Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Dementia; Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD); Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP); CADASIL;*** Sanfilippo Syndrome*** Batten Disease (Childhood Dementia);*** Binswanger Disease.*** Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA)*** Various Childhood Dementias*** Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy*** Don't see what you're looking for? Please contact us. *** Takes you to a non-DSA website. Go back to Definitions | Click Here

Watch videos about Dementia & brain health on our website. Permission to use this material was granted by TBH which reserves all rights to the material. Anchor 2 Videos & Publications Watch a message from our President and Founder. Dementia 101 See us in Money Magazine See us in People Now Anchor 1 Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Videos About Dementia & Brain Health The Dementia Society of America expresses its greatest gratitude to Trinity Brain Health (TBH) for granting us our North American distribution rights. Global partnerships like ours help enhance Dementia and Brain Health awareness around the world, as Dementia has no geopolitical, social or economic boundaries. The nine videos above were created by TBH, through the NEIL Programme at the Institute of Neuroscience with support from GENIO. © 2014 The Provost, Fellows, Foundations Scholars, and the Other Members of Board, of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity Of Queen Elizabeth, near Dublin. Permission to use this material was granted by TBH which reserves all rights in the material. Click Here to Watch More Videos on YouTube Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Click to view and download. Must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer installed. Profile Picture Icon for use on social media. Go back to Education | Click Here

Create a lasting memorial tribute to a loved one. Dementia Society of America supports families affected by Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, FTD, and more. In Loving Memory If you wish to have the Dementia Society of America receive memorial donations "in lieu of flowers," please consid er adding the following statement to the obituary: DONATE "In lieu of flowers, please make online gifts in memory of ______, to the Dementia Society of America www.DementiaSociety.org/donate ." Acknowledgments We send an acknowledgment letter when the donor provides the next of kin's name and address. In addition, families can contact us 4-6 weeks after the obituary's publication, and t he Society will furnish a list of memorial donors and their addresses. To obtain a list, please make your request via our contact page. Families and Funeral Directors, if you have any donation-related questions, please click here to use our contact form or call 1-800-336-3684 and select option #3. Given our work helping families facing Dementia, our volunteers do their best to respond as promptly as possible. In addition to an obituary published by the Funeral Director, you may choose to create a memorial page to remember the life of a loved one who battled Dementia. Ancestry.com Memorial Page Option Dementia Society of America®, in partnership with Ancestry.com® and their We Remember ™ initiative, has established memorials with no fees, and the memorial page will remain online without needing renewal. Together, it's our way to help pay tribute to a life well-lived. If you set it up through the link below, the We Remember memorial pages link to our donate page, where family and friends can donate in memory or honor of a loved one. Please see the example below. Click Here to Set Up a Memorial Page

Make a bequest, memorial, or other legacy contribution to support the mission of the Dementia Society of America Leadership Logo What does the Leadership Circle logo graphically represent? The circular arrow means taking action and creating forward motion. The circle is meant to communicate the whole interconnectedness of all things, all animals, and all people in our world, including the mind-body connection. The 3 separate colors, each with a distinct amount of "space" allocated to each, reflects proportionately the 3 pillars of our mission: Educate all , about all Dementias (bright purple); Provide quality-of-life programs (lighter purple); Recognize accomplishments and contributions to the betterment of the Dementia community at large (the lightest blue/purple). If you join the Leadership or Caring Circle you agree with the 10 DSA Principles , and you are willing to commit financially each year to see that those ideals are pursued and continued through the work of the Dementia Society of America.

Support the Dementia Society's mission to provide dignified care and support for those living with Dementia. Safely and securly use our crypto donation service. Crypto Donation All donations in cryptocurrency are final Click Here to Donate w/Real Name Use this Coinbase link for memorial donations, etc. We'll send you a receipt and a request for more information. Click Here to Donate Anon Use this Coinbase link for anonymous donations. No receipt. Dementia Society, Inc., doing business as Dementia Society of America, is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and registered with the IRS as a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax advisor. Please view our IRS Determination Letter here. Back to Donate

Bienvenida Español | Sociedad Demencia de América (DSA ) es el líder de voluntarios, la organización sin fines de lucro de todo demencia en los Estados Unidos. México ¡Bienvenida Español! Sociedad Demencia de América (DSA) es el líder de voluntarios, la organización sin fines de lucro de todo demencia en los Estados Unidos. Nuestra misión es elevar significativamente la conciencia para el espectro de condiciones conocidas colectivamente como la demencia . Poner a disposición no médico, fácil de entender los materiales de educación D emencia y recursos, y ofrecer programas de calidad de vida para los que viven con demencia y sus cuidadores. Por favor, póngase en contacto con nosotros para conocer más acerca de nosotros .

Worldwide collaboration is the cornerstone of our Society. Learn about other organizations that share our vision of raising Dementia awareness. Collaborators The Dementia Society of America believes that worldwide collaboration between organizations that share the vision and mission to raise Dementia awareness should be the cornerstone of our Society. Important Notice: Dementia Society of America (DSA) does not endorse the organizations below, but in our current opinion their stated missions closely align with our 10 Leadership Circle Principles . The links below are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change. All U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits (officially IRS-recognized, as is the Dementia Society of America), are highlighted in bold as such. Underlined links below will open websites in a separate web browser page, so you can keep your place here. Music and Memory Using persona lized music in care organizations throughout the U.S. The 2014 documentary, "Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory," is about their efforts. Would you like to have a screening? 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Brain Research Foundation Founded in 1953, BRF exists to accelerate discoveries of the human brain by funding pioneering neuroscience research. The Dementia Society Seed Grant Program provides start-up funds for new and innovative research projects that lead to scientific advancement. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. ARTZ Philadelphia Our purpose is to provide opportunities for self-expression and rebuilding self-esteem and dignity to people with memory loss and those who care for them. We achieve this mission through research-based programs that connect people living with dementia and their care partners with artists and cultural organizations in the creative community. View our virtual museum programs from across the country: click here . 501(c)(3) nonprofit. StopCTE The mission of the Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation is to provide parents of school-age children (who have very susceptible brains) with information about the dangers of sports which involve head trauma. Which some believe may lead to Dementia and other neurological disorders in later life. A resource for understanding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (symptoms, research, impact, and information). 501(c)(3) nonprofit. CJD Foundation Promotes research, advocates, and provides support to families and professionals that work with or are affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Pioneer Network Dedicated to making fundamental changes in values and practices [in long-term care] to create a culture of aging that is life-affirming, satisfying, humane, and meaningful. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. On-Demand Programs and Events On Demand! provides speakers and performers that inspire, enrich, and entertain. Know Dementia UK A local charity [in the United Kingdom], run by volunteers comprising family carers and qualified professionals who live and work with people with dementia. Not affiliated with the KNOW DEMENTIA® programs of the Dementia Society of America. Go back to Education | Click Here

Explore educational resources on dementia, brain health, and the causes of cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s and other related conditions.

Lewy body disease may cause problems with movement and posture, muscle stiffness, and confusion. Learn more about both common and rare conditions. Lewy Body DONATE "Lewy body disease is one of the most common causes of Dementia in the elderly. Lewy body disease happens when abnormal structures, called Lewy bodies, build up in areas of the brain. The disease may cause a wide range of symptoms, including changes in alertness and attention, hallucinations, problems with movement and posture, muscle stiffness, and confusion. Lewy body disease can be hard to diagnose because of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease cause similar symptoms. Scientists think that Lewy body disease might be related to these diseases, or that they sometimes happen together. Lewy body disease usually begins between the ages of 50 and 85 . The disease gets worse over time. There is no cure. Treatment focuses on drugs to help symptoms." Source: click here . "Who was Lewy? In the early 1900s, while researching Parkinson's disease, the scientist Friederich H. Lewy discovered abnormal protein deposits that disrupt the brain's normal functioning. These Lewy body proteins are found in an area of the brain stem where they deplete the neurotransmitter dopamine, causing Parkinsonian symptoms. In Lewy Body Dementia [LBD], these abnormal proteins are diffuse throughout other areas of the brain , including the cerebral cortex. The brain chemical acetylcholine is depleted, causing disruption of perception, thinking, and behavior. Lewy body disease exists either in pure form or in conjunction with other brain changes, including those typically seen in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease." Source: click here . Click below on the various terms to learn more about both common and more rare conditions, syndromes and diseases, that can cause, or include symptoms leading to Dementia: Dementia-Like Conditions (that may be reversible); Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Alzheimer's Disease (AD or ALZ) Dementia; Mixed Dementia; Vascular Dementia; Young Onset Dementia; Lewy Body Dementia (LBD); Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD); AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC); Huntington's Disease with Dementia; Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with Dementia; Parkinson's Disease (PD) with Dementia; Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury (CTE) Dementia; Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Dementia; Down Syndrome with Dementia; Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA); Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA); Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) Dementia; Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE);*** Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Dementia; Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD); Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP); CADASIL;*** Sanfilippo Syndrome*** Batten Disease (Childhood Dementia);*** Binswanger Disease.*** Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA)*** Various Childhood Dementias*** Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy*** Don't see what you're looking for? Please contact us. *** Takes you to a non-DSA website. Go back to Definitions | Click Here