The simple answer
Dementia is the big umbrella. It is a general word for memory and thinking problems bad enough to get in the way of daily life. It is not one disease.
Alzheimer's is one disease under that umbrella. It is the most common cause of dementia. The Alzheimer's Association estimates it causes 60% to 80% of cases.
Think of it like "heart disease" and "a heart attack." One is the broad group. The other is one specific kind.
Common types of dementia
Alzheimer's disease
Proteins build up in the brain and damage nerve cells. Early signs are often trouble remembering recent conversations, names, or events. Later come confusion, poor judgment, and behavior changes. In the late stage, walking, talking, and swallowing get hard.
Vascular dementia
This comes from damage to blood vessels in the brain, often after strokes or from years of high blood pressure. Early signs may be slower thinking and trouble planning or making decisions, more than memory loss. Walking can get slow and unsteady. Changes may happen in steps, after each new stroke, rather than slowly.
Lewy body dementia
Clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein build up in the brain. Early signs can include vivid visual hallucinations, sleep problems, and trouble judging space and distance. Alertness can swing a lot from day to day or hour to hour. Movement problems like those in Parkinson's disease are common.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
This affects the front and side parts of the brain. It often starts younger than Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association says about 60% of people with FTD are ages 45 to 60. Early signs are big changes in personality and behavior, or trouble with language. Memory is often fine at first.
Mixed dementia
Many people have more than one type at once, most often Alzheimer's plus vascular changes. Mixed dementia is most common in people 85 and older.
Parkinson's disease dementia
Some people with Parkinson's develop thinking problems, usually years after movement symptoms start. See our page on Parkinson's care in Fresno.
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Why the type matters for care
The type of dementia can change what a good care home looks like. When we help a family, this is one of the first things we ask about.
| Type | What to look for in care |
|---|---|
| Alzheimer's | Steady routines, memory support, and a secure setting as wandering becomes a risk. |
| Vascular | Close watch on blood pressure, medicines, and fall risk. Staff who notice sudden changes that could mean a new stroke. |
| Lewy body | Staff who know how to handle hallucinations calmly, strong fall prevention, and care with medicines. People with Lewy body dementia can react badly to some antipsychotic drugs, so the doctor should guide any medicine change. |
| Frontotemporal | A home experienced with behavior changes and younger residents, with enough staff and activities to keep them busy. |
| Mixed | A home that can adjust as needs change, since symptoms can come from more than one cause. |
Not every home is right for every type. A small board and care home may be perfect for a quiet resident with Alzheimer's but not staffed for strong FTD behaviors. A larger memory care community may have more activities and staff for someone who is restless and active. Ask any home how many residents they have now with the same type, and what training their staff has.
Things that can look like dementia
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) means memory or thinking has slipped enough for the person or family to notice, but not enough to get in the way of daily life. Some people with MCI go on to develop dementia. Others stay the same or even improve.
Delirium is sudden confusion that comes on over hours or days. In older adults it is often caused by an infection, dehydration, surgery, or a medicine. It needs a doctor right away, and it often gets better once the cause is treated. Someone with dementia can also get delirium on top of it, which is why a sudden change always deserves a call to the doctor.
Getting the right diagnosis
A clear diagnosis helps everyone, from the doctor to the care home. Start with the primary care doctor. For a deeper evaluation in Fresno, the UCSF Fresno Alzheimer & Memory Center on East Shaw Avenue evaluates memory problems and diagnoses dementia. Our page on the early signs of dementia covers how to get started.
When you're ready to look at care, our Fresno dementia care guide lays out every option. You can also read about the stages of dementia to see what may come next.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your loved one's doctor about their diagnosis and treatment.
Updated September 2026 by Shaun and Nick, co-founders of CalValley Senior Living Advisors.