Dementia

Dementia care at Reid Health

Dementia is a broad term used for many conditions that cause problems with memory, thinking, language, or behavior. At Reid Health, our neurologists diagnose the specific type of dementia you might have and build a care plan tailored for you and your family.

Early evaluation and specialist care help maintain quality of life and support daily functioning.

Different types of dementia

Each type of dementia affects the brain in its own way and produces distinct symptoms:  

• Alzheimer’s disease: 

  The most common form of dementia involves brain cell damage and shrinkage in areas that control memory and thinking.  

  Symptoms: Forgetting recent events, difficulty finding words, confusion in familiar places

• Vascular dementia: 

  Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain often after strokes or vessel damage  

  Symptoms: Problems with planning or reasoning, memory trouble, and sometimes weaknesses or walking changes

• Lewy body dementia: 

  This type involves abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies) in the brain and often overlaps with Parkinson’s symptoms.  

  Symptoms: Visual hallucinations, fluctuations in alertness, movement issues, sleep disturbances

• Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): 

  Affects the frontal and temporal lobes — areas controlling personality, behavior, and language.

  Symptoms: Drastic behavior changes, speech problems, younger onset (ages 45-65)

• Mixed dementia: 

  Many people have more than one type of dementia at the same time (for example, Alzheimer’s and vascular).

  Symptoms: A combination of signs, making diagnosis more complex

How dementia is treated at Reid Health Neurology

Our care team takes a personalized approach to diagnosing and treating dementia. While there’s no single cure, early detection and comprehensive management can make a significant difference in maintaining quality of life for both patients and their families.

Our board-certified neurologists begin by identifying the type and stage of dementia, which helps guide a tailored treatment plan. Depending on your needs, your care plan could include:

Medications that help slow cognitive decline, improve memory, or manage related symptoms like anxiety, depression, or sleep changes

Speech and occupational therapy to strengthen communication and daily living skills, helping patients remain independent longer

Lifestyle and nutritional guidance, including brain-healthy habits such as regular exercise, a Mediterranean-style diet, and cognitive stimulation

Caregiver education and support resources to help families manage day-to-day challenges and plan for the future

Our neurologists and care team provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment to help patients live as fully and independently as possible. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, we’re here to help guide you every step of the way. 

Understanding the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease  

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are not the same.

• Dementia is a general term describing a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life.
• Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia, the most common cause but not the only one. Other forms include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Think of dementia as the umbrella term, and Alzheimer’s as one condition under that umbrella. Knowing which type you or a loved one has is key to developing the right treatment plan and care support.