A fifth of adults wrongly believe Alzheimer's and dementia are the same

A poll of 2,000 people has revealed the biggest misconceptions about dementia, with 17 per cent believing that if a family member develops the condition, it means they will too.
Other confusions include it being inevitable with age, only affecting older adults and that prevention is possible.
Just over a third (34 per cent) always attribute memory loss with the condition while 21 per cent think Alzheimer’s and dementia are different names for the same thing.
And a further 14 per cent claim people living with dementia can’t lead a meaningful life.
The research was commissioned by nationwide care home provider and dementia experts, Care UK.
Aiming to debunk these myths and provide vital support to families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with the condition, the brand has released a first-of-its kind guide to help those affected navigate the dementia journey.
‘Dementia’ is an umbrella term used for a number of conditions – rather than a specific one – that share common symptoms including remembering, thinking and decision making which often disrupt everyday activities.
While ‘Alzheimer’s disease’ is the most common type of dementia that begins with mild memory loss and progressively leads to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment around them.
Suzanne Mumford, head of nursing, care and dementia services at Care UK, said: “There are plenty of misconceptions when it comes to dementia and what this means for the person living with it and their family.
“Often, they come from reading something online or word-of-mouth rather than experts or trusted sources.
“In reality, dementia is a condition that can be managed to ensure those who live with it can continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives and can be supported to still do the things they love – and that’s why we’ve launched our ‘one step at a time’ video

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