How is Alzheimer's disease different from normal aging?

Information from USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that results in impaired thinking, memory, and behavior. As it progresses, individuals lose more cognitive function and the ability to care for themselves.

Advanced age is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease but Alzheimer's disease is NOT a normal part of aging.

As people age they tend to experience changes in the speed of recall; the information is there, but with age, it may take longer to remember.

The following examples show some of the differences between age-related memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.

Normal Aging: May forget what they had for lunch.

Alzheimer's: Forgets that they had lunch.

Normal Aging: May not always recall names of family and friends, but recognizes them and recalls the names later.

Alzheimer's: Doesn't recognize family and friends.

Normal Aging: May not remember today's date, but knows the year, month, and day.

Alzheimer's: Cannot remember the date, day, month, season, or year.

Alzheimer's is not just memory loss. It affects other cognitive skills including:

• Logical thinking

• Reasoning

• Decision making

• Judgement

• Problem solving

• Abstract thinking

• Attention and concentration

• Language

• Orientation to time

Visit https://health.usf.edu/medicine/byrd for more resources and practical information for caregivers.