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Is it Delirium or Dementia?
Delirium and dementia have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell them apart. They can also occur together. Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. The symptoms may get better or worse, and can last for hours or weeks. On the other hand, dementia develops slowly and does not cause hallucinations. The symptoms are stable and may last for months or years.
Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there.
Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia. However, memory loss by itself does not mean you have dementia. People with dementia have serious problems with two or more brain functions, such as memory and language. Although dementia is common in very elderly people, it is not part of normal aging.
Many different diseases can cause dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and stroke. Drugs are available to treat some of these diseases. While these drugs cannot cure dementia or repair brain damage, they may improve symptoms or slow down the disease.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Dealing with Dementia: When Thinking and Behavior Decline
(National Institutes of Health) - Dementia (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
- Dementia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
- Dementia: Hope through Research (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Also in Spanish
- Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help (National Institute on Aging)Also in Spanish
- Frontotemporal Disorders: Common Symptoms (National Institute on Aging)
- ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Dementia: Diagnosis and Tests (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
- Frontotemporal Dementias: Diagnosis (Association for Frontotemporal Dementias)
- Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) - PDF
- Brain Health (Alzheimer's Association)
- Brain Training for Seniors (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
- Frontotemporal Disorders: Treatment and Management (National Institute on Aging)
- Medications for Memory Loss (Alzheimer's Association)
- Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about Complementary Health Practices for Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
- Dementia, Caregiving, and Controlling Frustration (Family Caregiver Alliance)
- Caring for a Person with a Frontotemporal Disorder (National Institute on Aging)
- Dementia & Driving (Family Caregiver Alliance)
- End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia (National Institute on Aging)
- Going to the Hospital: Tips for Dementia Caregivers (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Sundowning: Late-Day Confusion (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
- What to Ask: Dementia (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
- Basics of Frontotemporal Disorders (National Institute on Aging)
- Binswanger's Disease (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- CADASIL (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick's Disease) (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Klüver-Bucy Syndrome (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Multi-Infarct Dementia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Other Dementias (National Institute on Aging)
- Parkinson's Disease Dementia (Alzheimer's Association)
- Types of Dementia (Alzheimer's Association)
- Types of Frontotemporal Disorders (National Institute on Aging)
- Genetics Home Reference: cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: CHMP2B-related frontotemporal dementia (National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: dementia with Lewy bodies (National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism-17 (National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: GRN-related frontotemporal dementia (National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: inclusion body myopathy with early-onset Paget disease and frontotemporal dementia (National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (National Library of Medicine)
- Caregiving for Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementia (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Mild Cognitive Impairment and Progession to Dementia: New Findings(American Academy of Neurology) - PDF
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Dementia (National Institutes of Health)
- Common Questions About Participating in Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Research (National Institute on Aging)
- Dementia (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Dementia - behavior and sleep problems (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Dementia - daily care (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Dementia - keeping safe in the home (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Dementia and driving (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Dementia due to metabolic causes (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Mental status testing (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
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