Dementia vs Alzheimer’s

In common vernacular, the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s are used interchangeably.  However, the two terms do not have the same definition.  Alzheimer’s is actually a specific disease that involves a form of dementia.  This can create confusion when referring to an actual individual who is experiencing dementia and/or suffering from Alzheimer’s.  Here are the technical definitions for each (from dictionary.com):

Dementia (noun): severe impairment or loss of intellectual capacity and personality integration, due to the loss of or damage to neurons in the brain

Alzheimer’s (noun): a progressive form of presenile dementia that is similar to senile dementia except that it usually starts in the 40s or 50s; first symptoms are impaired memory which is followed by impaired thought and speech and finally complete helplessness