2a. What is Dementia?
Just like any other part of our body, our brain can “get sick” and become damaged. One devastating disease is dementia.
Dementia affected over 55 million people worldwide in 2020. That number is set to double every 20 years.
Let’s explore what dementia is. Click or tap the accordions to learn more.
- Dementia is the loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities
- Dementia symptoms have a severe impact on a person’s daily life and can prevent them from functioning independently
- Dementia is caused by abnormal brain changes that trigger the loss of cognitive (thinking) abilities
- Dementia can affect a person’s behavior, feelings and relationships
- Dementia is not a single disease; we call it an “umbrella term” for other disorders that affect one’s cognitive abilities
- Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not a normal part of aging