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Dementia Myths and Misconceptions
Dementia is often shadowed by myths and misconceptions.
This creates confusion about what the condition entails, who is susceptible to it, and what its impact on individuals is.
Misconceptions about dementia also further stigmatize people with dementia and hinder people’s willingness to seek help.
Below are some common dementia myths and facts.
Myth #1 : Are Alzheimer’s disease and dementia the same thing?
No, Alzheimer’s disease is not the same as dementia.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often confused with one another and sometimes used interchangeably.[1] However, the two conditions are not the same. It is important to be aware of their differences to better understand the conditions and the experiences of people who live with them.[2]
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is an umbrella term for a number of neurological conditions that result in a decline in cognitive functioning, including memory loss, challenges with problem-solving, and decline in physical functioning.[2]
Alzheimer’s disease is a specific brain disease. It is one of the most common types of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of dementia cases.[2]
Alzheimer’s disease initially affects the part of the brain associated with learning, leading to early symptoms that often involve changes in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.
Myth #2: Do only older people suffer from dementia?
No, dementia can also affect people aged between 18 and 64.
Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, dementia is not an inevitable part of normal aging[3]. Dementia does not exclusively affect older people. Dementia can also affect people aged between 18 and 64.
When a person develops symptoms of dementia between the ages of 18 and 64, it is referred to as young-onset dementia. Most individuals with young-onset dementia are in their 40s, 50s, or early 60s.
There are more than 50 different diseases or conditions associated with young-onset dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia[4].
Young-onset dementia presents unique challenges compared to onset in older adults. Because these individuals are young, their symptoms are often overlooked and a dementia diagnosis is not often considered. Therefore, it is important to be aware of dementia symptoms even when you are young.
Learn more about young-onset dementia:
Myth #3: Do males and females have the same risk of developing dementia?
No, females have a greater risk of developing dementia.
Research has found that around twice as many women (referring to those born with the female sex) have Alzheimer’s disease compared to men.
Age is the most significant risk factor for dementia. Since women generally have longer lifespans than men, they have a higher overall risk of developing the condition.
Genetics is another contributing factor for dementia. The ApoE4 gene variant in particular is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. While men and women are equally likely to have the ApoE4 gene variant, it is linked to higher dementia risk in women.
Learn more about dementia risk factors:
Myth #1 : Are Alzheimer’s disease and dementia the same thing?
No, Alzheimer’s disease is not the same as dementia.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often confused with one another and sometimes used interchangeably.[1] However, the two conditions are not the same. It is important to be aware of their differences to better understand the conditions and the experiences of people who live with them.[2]
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is an umbrella term for a number of neurological conditions that result in a decline in cognitive functioning, including memory loss, challenges with problem-solving, and decline in physical functioning.[2]
Alzheimer’s disease is a specific brain disease. It is one of the most common types of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of dementia cases.[2]
Alzheimer’s disease initially affects the part of the brain associated with learning, leading to early symptoms that often involve changes in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.
Myth #2: Do only older people suffer from dementia?
No, dementia can also affect people aged between 18 and 64.
Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, dementia is not an inevitable part of normal aging[3]. Dementia does not exclusively affect older people. Dementia can also affect people aged between 18 and 64.
When a person develops symptoms of dementia between the ages of 18 and 64, it is referred to as young-onset dementia. Most individuals with young-onset dementia are in their 40s, 50s, or early 60s.
There are more than 50 different diseases or conditions associated with young-onset dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia[4].
Young-onset dementia presents unique challenges compared to onset in older adults. Because these individuals are young, their symptoms are often overlooked and a dementia diagnosis is not often considered. Therefore, it is important to be aware of dementia symptoms even when you are young.
Learn more about young-onset dementia:
Myth #3: Do males and females have the same risk of developing dementia?
No, females have a greater risk of developing dementia.
Research has found that around twice as many women (referring to those born with the female sex) have Alzheimer’s disease compared to men.
Age is the most significant risk factor for dementia. Since women generally have longer lifespans than men, they have a higher overall risk of developing the condition.
Genetics is another contributing factor for dementia. The ApoE4 gene variant in particular is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. While men and women are equally likely to have the ApoE4 gene variant, it is linked to higher dementia risk in women.
Learn more about dementia risk factors:
Myth #4: Is memory loss the sole symptom of dementia?
No, dementia does not only affect memory.
Dementia is a complex condition that does not only affect memory. Dementia can impact an individual’s social abilities, mood, personality, language, communication, and behaviour.[5]
Additionally, the way dementia affects each person is different. Each individual may experience and present different symptoms and at different degrees. Therefore, it is important to note that dementia can encompass a wide range of different symptoms, not just memory loss.
Myth #5: Can dementia be cured?
Currently, there is no cure for the major types of dementia.
As of the last update from the NHS in August 2021, there is currently no cure for the major types of dementia. [6] While there is no cure right now, that does not mean there will never be a cure.
Dementia encompasses a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and others.
Each type of dementia is caused by different underlying diseases and processes, making it unlikely that there will be a single cure that can effectively treat all forms of dementia.
Dementia is typically irreversible when caused by degenerative diseases. However, in certain instances, dementia may be reversible if it is triggered by factors such as alcohol or depression.[7] [8]
Research into dementia and its various subtypes is ongoing, and advancements have been made in understanding the underlying mechanisms and risk factors.
However, treatment options currently focus on managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and slowing down the progression of the disease in some cases.
Learn more about new medical research developments on drugs:
Myth #6: Can dementia be prevented?
There’s no certain way to prevent all types of dementia, but we can minimize the risk factors.
While researchers continue to investigate the underlying mechanisms and how dementia develops, there is currently no certain way to prevent all types of dementia.[9] However, there is strong evidence that a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia.
A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart attacks, which are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia (the two most common types of dementia).
Learn more about how you can minimize your risk of developing dementia:
Myth #7: Will a dementia diagnosis stop me from living independently?
In fact, many people living with early stages of dementia can maintain their independence and perform daily tasks without assistance.
Research studies have shown that living a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular exercise and a healthy diet, along with maintaining social connections with friends and family, can help slow the development of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.[10]
Learn more about maintaining independent living with dementia:
- National Institute on Aging: Tips for living alone with early-stage dementia
- National Health Service: Staying independent with dementia
Learn more about myths and realities of dementia:
- Alzheimer Society: Myths and realities of dementia
- The Evangelical Lutheran Church Hong Kong – Kwai Chung Neighbourhood Elderly Centre: Debunking the myths about dementia (video in Cantonese)
- Caritas Jockey Club Resource and Support Centre for Carers: Debunking dementia myths for you (Chinese)
- Senior Citizen Home Safety Association: Common misconceptions about dementia (Chinese)
- The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Press Release: CFS announces follow-up risk assessment results on aluminum in food (Is aluminum linked to dementia?) (Chinese)
Myth #4: Is memory loss the sole symptom of dementia?
No, dementia does not only affect memory.
Dementia is a complex condition that does not only affect memory. Dementia can impact an individual’s social abilities, mood, personality, language, communication, and behaviour.[5]
Additionally, the way dementia affects each person is different. Each individual may experience and present different symptoms and at different degrees. Therefore, it is important to note that dementia can encompass a wide range of different symptoms, not just memory loss.
Myth #5: Can dementia be cured?
Currently, there is no cure for the major types of dementia.
As of the last update from the NHS in August 2021, there is currently no cure for the major types of dementia. [6] While there is no cure right now, that does not mean there will never be a cure.
Dementia encompasses a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and others.
Each type of dementia is caused by different underlying diseases and processes, making it unlikely that there will be a single cure that can effectively treat all forms of dementia.
Dementia is typically irreversible when caused by degenerative diseases. However, in certain instances, dementia may be reversible if it is triggered by factors such as alcohol or depression.[7] [8]
Research into dementia and its various subtypes is ongoing, and advancements have been made in understanding the underlying mechanisms and risk factors.
However, treatment options currently focus on managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and slowing down the progression of the disease in some cases.
Learn more about new medical research developments on drugs:
Myth #6: Can dementia be prevented?
There’s no certain way to prevent all types of dementia, but we can minimize the risk factors.
While researchers continue to investigate the underlying mechanisms and how dementia develops, there is currently no certain way to prevent all types of dementia.[9] However, there is strong evidence that a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia.
A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart attacks, which are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia (the two most common types of dementia).
Learn more about how you can minimize your risk of developing dementia:
Myth #7: Will a dementia diagnosis stop me from living independently?
In fact, many people living with early stages of dementia can maintain their independence and perform daily tasks without assistance.
Research studies have shown that living a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular exercise and a healthy diet, along with maintaining social connections with friends and family, can help slow the development of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.[10]
Learn more about maintaining independent living with dementia:
- National Institute on Aging: Tips for living alone with early-stage dementia
- National Health Service: Staying independent with dementia
Learn more about myths and realities of dementia:
- Alzheimer Society: Myths and realities of dementia
- The Evangelical Lutheran Church Hong Kong – Kwai Chung Neighbourhood Elderly Centre: Debunking the myths about dementia (video in Cantonese)
- Caritas Jockey Club Resource and Support Centre for Carers: Debunking dementia myths for you (Chinese)
- Senior Citizen Home Safety Association: Common misconceptions about dementia (Chinese)
- The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Press Release: CFS announces follow-up risk assessment results on aluminum in food (Is aluminum linked to dementia?) (Chinese)
References
[1] Hogeveen, S. E., Chen, J., & Hirdes, J. P. (2017). Evaluation of data quality of interRAI assessments in home and community care. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 17(1), 150–150. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-017-0547-9
[2] World Health Organization. (2023). Factsheets: Dementia. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
[3] World Health Organization. (2023). Dementia. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia#:~:text=Although%20age%20is%20the%20strongest,up%20to%209%25%20of%20cases.
[4] Alzheimer Society. (n.d.). What is young onset dementia?. https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/young-onset-dementia/what-is
[5] Mayo Clinic. (2023). Dementia-Symptoms and Causes.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013
[6] NHS. (2021). Is there a cure for dementia? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/cure
[7] Alzheimer Society. (n.d.). Alcohol-related ‘dementia’. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/alcohol-related-dementia
[8] Kang, H., Zhao, F., You, L., Giorgetta, C., D, V., Sarkhel, S., & Prakash, R. (2014). Pseudo-dementia: A neuropsychological review. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 17(2), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-2327.132613
[9] NHS (2023). Can dementia be prevented?. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/dementia-prevention/
[10] National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Tips for living alone with early-stage dementia. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/tips-living-alone-early-stage-dementia
