Understand what dementia is, the different diseases it includes, and the key symptoms.

Understand what dementia is, the different diseases it includes, and the key symptoms.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia isn't one specific disease. It is an umbrella term for symptoms caused by different brain diseases that change the brain and interfere with daily life. These changes can cause a person to say, do, or believe things that don't make sense to those around them.

TYPES OF DEMENTIA

Not all dementias are the same - just like there are many different types of cancer, identifying the type of dementia is crucial to proper care. This guide is a starting point, but because symptoms often overlap early on, it’s important to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Keep in mind, not everyone will have all the symptoms listed.

FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA (FTD)

Age: Often affects adults 45–65, younger than most other dementias

How frequent: Unknown, based on widespread misdiagnosis. Estimated 1-5% of dementia cases*



Common symptoms: Changes in behavior or language

Specific changes to look out for:

  • Inappropriate, rude, or offensive behavior

  • Making impulsive decisions

  • Losing interest in activities or relationships

  • Neglecting personal hygiene

  • Eating only specific foods or overeating

  • Trouble speaking or understanding words

*The actual frequency may be much higher due to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis

LEWY BODY DEMENTIA (LBD)

Age: Usually affects adults 50 and older

How frequent: 7-20% of dementia cases*



Common symptoms: Changes in movement or behavior

Specific changes to look out for:

  • Slow movement, stiffness, or falls with no reason

  • Seeing things that aren’t there such as people or animals

  • Varying attention span or drifting levels of awareness

  • Struggling to complete familiar tasks

  • Increased depression, anxiety, or apathy

  • Disturbed sleep, often with violent movements

*The actual frequency may be much higher due to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis

VASCULAR DEMENTIA

Age: Usually affects adults 65 and older

How frequent: 5–10% of dementia cases*, often linked with strokes



Common symptoms: Changes in thinking or behavior

Specific changes to look out for:

  • Problems planning, making decisions, or solving problems

  • Slower thinking speed

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Brief episodes of sudden confusion

  • Increased depression, anxiety, or apathy

  • Withdrawal from social activities

*The actual frequency may be much higher due to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Age: Mostly affects adults 65 and older

How frequent: 60-80% of dementia cases*, the most common type

Common symptoms: Changes in thinking

Specific changes to look out for:

  • Losing track of conversations or trouble finding words

  • Forgetting names of places or objects

  • Getting lost in familiar places

  • Misplacing items

  • Impaired reasoning or judgment

  • Difficulty judging distances

OTHER DEMENTIAS

Dementia is a complex condition with overlapping symptoms and risk factors with other diseases. Around 5% of dementia cases* are linked to conditions that include:

  • Huntingdon’s disease

  • Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV)

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

  • Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD)

  • Korsakoff syndrome

*The actual frequency may be much higher due to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can you have more than one type of dementia at the same time?

Can you have more than one type of dementia at the same time?

Can you have more than one type of dementia at the same time?

Can you have more than one type of dementia at the same time?

Can you have more than one type of dementia at the same time?

Can dementia overlap with other brain disorders?

Can dementia overlap with other brain disorders?

Can dementia overlap with other brain disorders?

Can dementia overlap with other brain disorders?

Can dementia overlap with other brain disorders?

Can symptoms overlap between different types of dementia?



Can symptoms overlap between different types of dementia?



Can symptoms overlap between different types of dementia?



Can symptoms overlap between different types of dementia?



Can symptoms overlap between different types of dementia?



Are there risk factors for dementia, and is it ever genetic?

Are there risk factors for dementia, and is it ever genetic?

Are there risk factors for dementia, and is it ever genetic?

Are there risk factors for dementia, and is it ever genetic?

Are there risk factors for dementia, and is it ever genetic?

Is there a cure for dementia?

Is there a cure for dementia?

Is there a cure for dementia?

Is there a cure for dementia?

Is there a cure for dementia?

Have you been noticing changes in yourself or someone you know? 
Trust your gut and talk to a doctor.

Explore the stories of people who have been on the dementia journey.

Unsure what to do next? Learn more about dementia and connect to support organizations.

Have you been noticing changes in yourself or someone you know? 
Trust your gut and talk to a doctor.

Explore the stories of people who have been on the dementia journey.

Unsure what to do next? Learn more about dementia and connect to support organizations.

Have you been noticing changes in yourself or someone you know? 
Trust your gut and talk to a doctor.

Explore the stories of people who have been on the dementia journey.

Unsure what to do next? Learn more about dementia and connect to support organizations.

Have you been noticing changes in yourself or someone you know? 
Trust your gut and talk to a doctor.

Explore the stories of people who have been on the dementia journey.

Unsure what to do next? Learn more about dementia and connect to support organizations.

Have you been noticing changes in yourself or someone you know? 
Trust your gut and talk to a doctor.

Explore the stories of people who have been on the dementia journey.

Unsure what to do next? Learn more about dementia and connect to support organizations.

Have you been noticing changes in yourself or someone you know? 
Trust your gut and talk to a doctor.

Explore the stories of people who have been on the dementia journey.

Unsure what to do next? Learn more about dementia and connect to support organizations.

Beyond Memory — initiated by the Kissick Family Foundation, 2025

The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.