Dementia refers to a loss of memory and other thinking abilities that is severe enough to interfere with everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases, but there is also vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and fronto-temporal dementia. Individuals living with dementia experience abnormal brain changes that cause increasingly severe symptoms, including a loss of functioning related to memory, language skills, visual perception, problem-solving, and the ability to pay attention. Dementia can also cause changes to a person’s mood and behavior. Age is the greatest risk factor for dementia.

Join the Elder Initiative and Jefferson Health for this month’s “Doctor Is In” program to learn about dementia and cognitive health. We will explore the different types of dementia and the ways that they impact the brain and cognitive functioning. We’ll review the risk factors and the warning signs of dementia and discuss strategies for improving brain health.