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
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.