Where does one get the truth about Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of Dementia? Right here. We have collected definitions we believe will be helpful to you. Definitions Important Notice: Dementia Society of America (DSA) does not provide medical advice. The contents are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Anchor 1 Where does one get the truth about Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of Dementia? Right here. We have collected definitions we believe will be helpful to you. We also offer a variety of presentations and programs to help people living with these conditions and their families and caregivers. You don’t have to make this journey alone. We can help. Access additional Dementia resources here. 1:40 Minutes 4:00 Minutes DEFINITIONS A broad factual definition of Dementia from the U.S. Government: "Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a descriptive term for a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of disorders that affect the brain. People with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with normal activities and relationships. They also lose their ability to solve problems and maintain emotional control, and they may experience personality changes and behavioral problems, such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations. While memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has dementia. Doctors diagnose dementia only if two or more brain functions - such as memory and language skills -- are significantly impaired without loss of consciousness. Some of the diseases that can cause symptoms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Doctors have identified other conditions that can cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms including reactions to medications, metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, infections, poisoning, brain tumors, anoxia, or hypoxia (conditions in which the brain’s oxygen supply is either reduced or cut off entirely), and heart and lung problems. Although it is common in very elderly individuals, dementia is not a normal part of the aging process"* Moreover, recent studies have found that newer brain scans may point to other causes of Dementia in approximately one-third of presumed AD cases, thereby helping avoid an Alzheimer’s disease misdiagnosis, which may lead to better treatment and care.** A fundamental concept to grasp is that the symptoms of Dementia often go beyond memory loss. They can include significant shifts in mood, more falls, disturbed gait (how we walk), and more. In addition, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia are not uncommon. *Sources- 2015, United States National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Additional Sources- Read updated information from NIH; click here . Mayo Clinic has an excellent brief definition; click here . The National Institute on Aging maintains an excellent site; click here . World Health Organization, click here . **Source- 2019, 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 Education | Click Here

A leading volunteer-driven organization raising nationwide awareness for all causes of Dementia, including Alzheimer's (AD), Vascular Dementia, and more. Who Are We? Our all-volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Council members use the power of technology and virtual offices to help us make a real-world difference. Dementia Society of America® proudly serves individuals and families across the country who are facing the challenges of over two hundred Dementia-related disorders. Through vital resources, educational outreach, groundbreaking research, and critical programs for caregivers and those diagnosed, we strive to bring hope, understanding, and meaningful support to every community. The Dementia Society encourages life-enrichment achievements through its Ginny Gives® Awards Program, which focuses on music and singing, dance and movement, the visual arts, touch, and sensory stimulation. The Dementia CARER®, Dementia SMART®, and Dementia QUEST® Programs recognize those who serve the Dementia community through meaningful care, innovation, and research, respectively. Lastly, the Society often provides the first significant infusion of funding for certain early-stage seed investments in advanced research centered on the causes of and interventions for Dementia, as well as overall brain health-related science. See the Scientific Review Committee members here . LEADERSHIP, ADVISORY COUNCIL, ADVOCATES & SUPPORT TEAM Members Kevin Jameson Salaried CEO | Volunteer Board Member & Chairman | View Bio → Jeff Moyers CFP Volunteer | Board Member & Treasurer | View Bio → Michael Fossel MD PhD Volunteer | Advisory Council, Medical | View Bio → Lauren Schwabish MS CCC-SLP Volunteer, Advisory Council, Speech Pathology | View Bio → Arun Rao MD Volunteer | Advisory Council, Geriatric Medicine | View Bio → Ann Redfield RN MSN Volunteer | Programs | Executive Vice President Emeritus | View Bio → Lilly Roth Volunteer | Board Member & Secretary | View Bio → Michael Trayford DACNB Volunteer | Advisory Council, Medical | View Bio → Minjung Shim PhD BC-BMT Volunteer | Advisory Council, Movement Therapy | View Bio → Kimberly Dolan MT-BC Volunteer | Advisory Council, Music Therapy | View Bio → Blaine Greenfield Volunteer | Board Member, Sr VP & Compliance Officer | View Bio → Vanessa Adams Volunteer | Board Member & Caregiver Advocate | View Bio → Rachel Wiley MS OTR L CDP Volunteer | Advisory Council, Occupational Therapy | View Bio → Samir Patel MD Volunteer | Advisory Council, Geriatric Psychiatry | View Bio → Gary Kozick LCSW Volunteer | Advisory Council - Care Management | View Bio → SUPPORT TEAM Carly McElroy Employee | Operations | View Bio → Jeannine Forrest PhD RN Independent Contractor | Care Coach | View Bio → Robin Kaufold Employee | Programs | View Bio → Tami Anastasia MA Independent Contractor | Care Coach | View Bio → Jean Whaley PhD Volunteer | Programs | View Bio → We thank our past Volunteer Board & Advisory Council Members... Barbara Marte Nathan Schulhof Jeff Dershin Eric Hopkins Tony Martin Gary Howard NREMT Sandra DeHaven Natalie Kaye Hayley Francis Cann BMT H Branch Coslett MD Thomas Atkins Partial list of our Partners and Sponsors; please click here . Partial list of our Press Releases; please click here . Access our completed 2024 IRS Form W-9 (version) here . Access our IRS determination letter; please click here . To access our sales tax exemption certificate, please click here . Download our current bylaws here . Our NAICS Code #813212: Voluntary Health Organization IRS 990s: 2013 ; 2014 ; 2015 ; 2016 ; 2017 ; 2018 ; 2019 ; 2020 ; 2021 ; 2022; 2023; 2024 ; 2025 ; 2026; 2027; 2028; 2029; 2030

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Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a form of cognitive impairment that involves a progressive loss of language function. Primary Progressive Aphasia "Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a form of cognitive impairment that involves a progressive loss of language function. Language is a uniquely human faculty that allows us to communicate with each other through the use of words. Our language functions include speaking, understanding what others are saying, repeating things we have heard, naming common objects, reading, and writing. “Aphasia” is a general term used to refer to deficits in language functions. PPA is caused by degeneration in the parts of the brain that are responsible for speech and language. PPA begins very gradually and initially is experienced as difficulty thinking of common words while speaking or writing. PPA progressively worsens to the point where verbal communication by any means is very difficult. The ability to understand what others are saying or what is being read also declines. In the early stages, memory, reasoning, and visual perception are not affected by the disease and so individuals with PPA are able to function normally in many routine daily living activities despite the aphasia. However, as the illness progresses, other mental abilities also decline. Adults of any age can develop PPA, but it is more common in people under the age of 65. People with PPA can have a variety of different language symptoms and no two cases are exactly the same." Source: click here . Additional subtype information: click here . To download an Aphasia caregiver guide, please 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

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) arises from the immune system attacking nerve cells. Learn about diseases that can cause, or include symptoms leading to Dementia. Multiple Sclerosis "Conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that arise from the body's immune system attacking nerve cells" Additional complications can include "mental [status] changes, such as forgetfulness [Dementia-like] or mood swings." Source1: click here . Read more: click here. Read additional info : 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

Request Complementary Dementia Society Aware Share Cards. Lewy Body, Alzheimer's, MCI, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal. Aware & Share Card Request Cards Please click here to complete our Contact form and provide us with the request in the Optional Message section to receive two complimentary cards. These are durable cards; the same card can be used again & again. Help us maintain our ability to share the love; please limit your request to 2 cards each time. Bulk order? Would you like to distribute cards to others? We do request a donation to help defray the costs. FRONT OF CARD BACK OF CARD

The Dementia Society of America is seeking to better understand the meaningfulness of cannabis, CBD, and THC for those living with Dementia. If you are interested in working with us, contact us today! Cannabis Medical Marijuana & Mushrooms The Dementia Society of America is seeking to understand better the meaningfulness of cannabis, CBD, THC, aka medical marijuana, and mushrooms (psychedelics) as it relates to symptom management and intervention for those living with various forms of Dementia. In the meantime, here are a few additional perspectives to review and consider. Thank you. U.K. Alzheimer's Society Comments CNN Feature Story CNBC Feature Story Canadian Coalition for Seniors Insight into U.S. Patent #663057 UPenn - Can Psychedelics Help Patients with Dementia?

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Young-Onset or "Early-Onset" runs in families linked to three genes that differ from the APOE gene which can increase your risk of Alzheimer's in general. Young-Onset Young-Onset is often also referred to as "Early-Onset." Yet, it should be differentiated from another commonly used phrase: "Early Stage Dementia," which is more appropriate to describe someone in the early stages of Dementia, at any age. "Young-Onset Dementia is conventionally thought to include patients with onset before 65 years of age . This cutoff point is indicative of a sociological partition in terms of employment and retirement age, but this age has no specific biological significance and there is a range of disease features across this arbitrary divide." Source: click here . "Some people with early-onset Alzheimer's [Dementia] have the common form of the disease, and experts don't know why these people get the disease at a younger age than others do. For most, however, early-onset Alzheimer's runs in the family. They're likely to have a parent or grandparent who also developed Alzheimer's at a younger age. Early-onset Alzheimer's that runs in families is linked to three genes that differ from the APOE gene that can increase your risk of Alzheimer's in general. The genetic path of inheritance is much stronger in early-onset Alzheimer's. If you have a genetic mutation in one of those three genes — the APP, PSEN 1, or PSEN 2 — you may develop Alzheimer's before age 65." 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

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Vascular Dementia is caused by a series of small strokes and is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's in people 65+. To learn more. Vascular DONATE "Multi-infarct Dementia [also commonly referred to as 'Vascular Dementia'] is caused by a series of small strokes. Multi-infarct Dementia (MID) is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease in people over age 65. MID usually affects people between the ages of 55 and 75. More men than women have MID. A stroke is an interruption in or blockage of the blood supply to any part of the brain . A stroke is also called an infarct. Multi-infarct means that more than one area in the brain has been injured due to a lack of blood. The brain cannot get oxygen if blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage. There may be no stroke symptoms when these strokes affect a small area . These are called silent strokes. Over time, as more areas of the brain are damaged, the symptoms of MID appear. Not all strokes are silent. Larger strokes that affect strength, sensation, or other brain and nervous system (neurologic) functions can also lead to MID. Risk factors for MID include diabetes, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure (hypertension), smoking, and stroke." Lastly, White Matter Disease (WMD) is a Dementia subtype within the context of cardiovascular conditions that may produce changes in cognition similar to those seen in Vascular Dementia. An MRI scan is typically employed to help identify and distinguish the disorder. Vascular Dementia Source: click here . White Matter Disease Resource: click here . Resource: U.S. government website on vascular/Dementia risks. Video: University of California, Los Angeles Video When stroke becomes Dementia | Dr Amy Brodtmann: The Florey, Parkville, Victoria, Australia 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

Our mission is to enhance life quality for those with dementia, their caregivers, and the community through programs that make a meaningful difference. Mission Statement To enhance the quality of life for those living with Dementia, caregivers, and the community! "Create your best possible tomorrows by taking your most meaningful actions today!" Touch Dance Nathan Schulhof Touch 1/20 Our gracious donors, invaluable volunteers, events, and programs. -Kevin Jameson, Founder & President Educate, Provide and Recognize Dementia education can help people living with these conditions, their families, and their caregivers. We aim to present resources and programs that can make a difference in your life and other people’s lives. Educate. To significantly raise awareness and decrease the stigma in America of the spectrum of conditions collectively known as Dementia through education. Knowledge is the first step towards understanding Dementia. It’s important for people to get the information they need so they can cope with the challenges these diseases create. Our organization can be contacted at 1-800-DEMENTIA® (1-800-336-3684) by anyone who would like more information on Alzheimer’s and all the other leading forms of Dementia. Provide. To make available, non-medical, easy-to-understand Dementia awareness materials and resources for individuals, small businesses, larger corporations, civic organizations, and communities-at-large. To provide monthly quality-of-life programs within continuing care communities and in public Dementia-friendly forums, that emphasize meaningful therapies for those living with Dementia, and their caregivers. These educational programs can be a lifeline for many people who are looking for ways to enrich the lives of men and women living with Dementia. Recognize. To encourage those who: provide exemplary Dementia caregiving, counseling, engagement, and even nutritional support; develop prevention initiatives; and create innovative products, services, and solutions. We believe that every American and each employer in the U.S. should know the facts about Dementia. Therefore, our call-to-action is simple: Know Dementia!® Consider getting involved today! Your contribution of time, talent, or treasure can change the lives of all those impacted by Dementia. Please donate today.