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Learn about Dementia

‘Dementia’ is an umbrella term meaning that a person’s memory, thinking or social abilities can be a daily life challenge.There are over 100 brain diseases that cause dementia symptoms; Alzheimer’s disease is the most common one.

Alzheimer’s Disease

60-70%

Vascular Dementia

10-20%

Frontotemporal Dementia

10%

Lewy Body Dementia

5%

Other
Dementias

5%

Here’s the Scoop

Family genes aren’t the only factor. Contrary to popular opinion,

  • Anyone can be affected

  • Age counts, but younger people can get it too

Learn more about the types of dementia here.

Myth or Fact?

Quiz yourself and others. It's fun, and you might learn something new, too :)

Dementia is a normal part of aging

Myth or Fact? Discover

Dementia is a normal part of aging

It's a fact
It's a myth

Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. Dementia is not. 

Fact: Dementia symptoms happen because there’s a brain disease at work that affects brain functioning. These diseases evolve and progress over time..

Dementia is a normal part of aging

It's a fact
It's a myth

Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. Dementia is not. 

Fact: Dementia symptoms happen because there’s a brain disease at work that affects brain functioning. These diseases evolve and progress over time..

Dementia can happen to anyone

Myth or Fact? Discover

Dementia can happen to anyone

It's a fact
It's a myth

Any person can develop dementia in their lifetime, no matter their age, income level, education level, cultural background, or family history. There are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Learn how to reduce your risk

Dementia can happen to anyone

It's a fact
It's a myth

Any person can develop dementia in their lifetime, no matter their age, income level, education level, cultural background, or family history. There are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Learn how to reduce your risk

Dementia is mostly genetic

Myth or Fact? Discover

Dementia is mostly genetic

It's a fact
It's a myth

You can blame your family for many things, like your hair colour or those unmistakeable dimples, but dementia symptoms are not usually inherited.

Fact: Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are not often inherited.  Over 90% of the time, it’s not happening because of genetics.

Dementia is mostly genetic

It's a fact
It's a myth

You can blame your family for many things, like your hair colour or those unmistakeable dimples, but dementia symptoms are not usually inherited.

Fact: Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are not often inherited.  Over 90% of the time, it’s not happening because of genetics.

Dementia only occurs in older people

Myth or Fact? Discover

Dementia only occurs in older people

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: While dementia affects more people as they age, it doesn’t discriminate, either. It can happen to people in their 30s, 40s and 50s, too. It’s called young-onset dementia when it affects people younger than age 65.

Dementia only occurs in older people

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: While dementia affects more people as they age, it doesn’t discriminate, either. It can happen to people in their 30s, 40s and 50s, too. It’s called young-onset dementia when it affects people younger than age 65.

You can prevent dementia entirely

Myth or Fact? Discover

You can prevent dementia entirely

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Scientists around the globe have been trying to answer this question for years. Lifestyle choices can lower your risk of developing dementia, but today there is no guaranteed method known to prevent it 100%.

You can prevent dementia entirely

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Scientists around the globe have been trying to answer this question for years. Lifestyle choices can lower your risk of developing dementia, but today there is no guaranteed method known to prevent it 100%.

If a person has dementia, their life is basically over

Myth or Fact? Discover

If a person has dementia, their life is basically over

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Many people continue doing things they love for many months or years to come, and those activities can be adapted as time goes on. All people are affected differently and every person’s symptoms are unique.

If a person has dementia, their life is basically over

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Many people continue doing things they love for many months or years to come, and those activities can be adapted as time goes on. All people are affected differently and every person’s symptoms are unique.

Learn from Others

Dr Dallas Seitz
“If someone gets diagnosed, ask them what it’s like for them instead of assuming. That’s extremely impactful because they’re people, just like anyone else.”

Dr. Dallas Seitz

Geriatric Psychiatrist and Health Services Researcher

“Children can really show us a lot. I see fear in kids initially, but once we explain what’s going on, they have less judgement than adults. They form relationships really easily.”

Samantha Norberg

Registered Social Worker, Caregiver Support with Jewish Family Services, and former practicum role at Alzheimer Calgary Club 36 program

“People can live quite successfully for years. Many people are surprised that you can go out, be social, go to restaurants, be active, and have fun.”

John McCaffery

Local person living with dementia, diagnosed at a young age. Involved with YouQuest, focusing on Young Onset Dementia

“Most people dismiss it, thinking they can’t get it. The reality is that it can happen to anybody. Knowing that will teach people to learn more, advocate more, educate themselves, because that could be their future.”

Ramna Tahir

Registered Nurse, previous experience at Alzheimer Calgary Club 36 program

Common Questions

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the connections in the brain. It’s the most common cause of dementia symptoms. Often includes memory issues, trouble finding the right words, having trouble navigating your way around, and more.

What is dementia?

Having ‘dementia’ simply means that a person’s memory, thinking or social functioning can be a daily life challenge for them. There are many different brain diseases that can cause dementia symptoms.

What causes dementia?

Aging is the most common cause of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Everyone ages, therefore, anyone can get it. There are steps you can take to help reduce your risk, like getting enough Zs and more. Check them out here.

Are these brain diseases genetic?

Contrary to popular opinion, family genes aren’t the main factor here. Only a small portion of Alzheimer's disease (5-7%) is hereditary, meaning that over 90% of the time, it’s not caused by genetics. Rest assured, there are things you can do to help reduce your risk.

What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

As Dr. Ismail put it, “If dementia is like the class of pickup trucks on Alberta roads, Alzheimer’s is your Ford F-150.” Having ‘dementia’ means that a person’s memory, thinking or social abilities can be a daily life challenge. 

There are over 100 different brain diseases that cause dementia symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is just one of these brain diseases, and the most common one. There are plenty of other brain diseases, such as vascular, Lewy body, young onset, frontotemporal dementia and more.

What are the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias?

We all have memory lapses. How do you know when it might be time to get symptoms checked out by a doctor? Here we break down what’s normal and what might be a sign.