Caregiver Insights

Understanding Dementia

Other Dementias

Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an umbrella term for a collection of brain diseases and their symptoms that cause an inability to perform daily activities. The most prominent diseases are:

  • Alzheimer’s disease,

  • Vascular dementia,

  • Lewy body disease,

  • Frontotemporal dementia, and

  • Parkinson’s disease.

Each affects the brain differently, and understanding the differences can make caregiving a little more manageable and effective. Behavior that seems puzzling or intentional often has a neurological cause.

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for about two-thirds of all dementias. It is a disease of the brain resulting in gradual loss of brain cells and memories. Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often after strokes. Lewy bodies are abnormal protein deposits that accumulate in the brain. Vascular dementia and Lewy body disease each represent about 10-15 percent of total dementia illnesses. Less common forms of dementia like Frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease (each of which represent about 5-10 percent of dementia illnesses) present their own combination of challenges.

Combined, these total to more than 100 percent because many people have multiple forms of dementia. This website deals mostly with Alzheimer’s caregiving. The following review is a short introduction to the other types of dementia. If you recognize any of these non-Alzheimer’s characteristics, you may want to seek professional assistance for additional guidance.

Vascular dementia

The reduced or interrupted blood flow to the brain in Vascular dementia typically causes mood changes, impaired motor skills (especially walking), and problems with concentrating and judgement. Symptoms depend on which parts of the brain have been affected, and each situation is unique. Two people with the same diagnosis may behave quite differently. However, unlike the slow decline commonly experienced by people with Alzheimer’s, the decline in Vascular dementia often occurs in noticeable steps. Caregivers report swings from one day to the next. Managing heart health, blood pressure, diabetes, stroke risk, and physical limitations after strokes are additional challenges for vascular dementia caregivers.

Lewy body dementia

Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies that can affect thinking, movement, sleep, and autonomic function. Dementia usually develops about the same time as movement problems and behavior is unpredictable. There can be fluctuations in cognition from day to day and even hour to hour. Slowed movement, stiffness, and shuffling are common. Caregivers for people with Lewy body dementia first notice changes in alertness, movement, and visual hallucinations. Falls are more frequent and REM sleep behavior may cause people to act out their dreams. Medication management is more complicated because certain antipsychotic medications, common in Alzheimer’s treatment, may worsen confusion and movement problems. It is not unusual for Lewy body dementia to progress more rapidly than Alzheimer’s.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Frontotemporal dementia is a group of brain disorders that cause loss of nerve cells in the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. This affects behavior, personality, language, and decision-making. Personality changes, loss of empathy, poor judgment, compulsive or repetitive behavior, and problems with speaking or understanding language are all common. FTD is one of the most common causes of dementia in people under 65.

Parkinson’s disease

Many people with Parkinson’s disease never develop dementia, while others do after living with Parkinson’s for years. The progression is gradual and varies considerably from person to person. Years before dementia develops, some people experience difficulty concentrating, trouble multitasking, and mild forgetfulness. In addition to movement symptoms, Parkinson’s disease dementia results in more problems with attention and visual-spatial abilities, fluctuations in alertness, and more hallucinations.

What to Do

Learning about the type of dementia will provide more understanding, and that often brings caregivers greater confidence and a little less self-doubt. Many older adults have more than one cause of dementia, and in a single case a caregiver could find memory loss typical of Alzheimer’s, hallucinations usually associated with Lewy body disease, and walking problems linked to vascular disease. Mixed dementia helps explain why someone’s symptoms don’t seem to fit neatly into one diagnosis.

It is important for caregivers to understand that a diagnosis can change over time and that many people do end up with mixed dementia. While every situation is unique, the most important caregiving principles – safety, dignity, presence, communication, and physical contact – remain the same regardless of the diagnosis.

Our Mission

Connection, Insight & Relief

To connect dementia caregivers to community, practical insights, and genuine relief — so that no caregiver has to figure this out alone, without a hand to reach for or a voice that understands.

Built by caregivers. For caregivers.

Our Vision

No One Walks Alone

A world where no caregiver walks this road alone — where every family touched by dementia has access to the compassion, knowledge, and community they so deeply deserve.

Because love deserves a community behind it.

Dementia Caregivers Connection isn't a program someone designed from the outside. It is the community Pete and Christine wish had existed when they needed it most — and it grows stronger with every caregiver who joins it.

Play The Audio For This Article

Built by caregivers, for caregivers. We offer practical insights, compassionate community, and meaningful relief for every family walking the dementia journey — because no one should face it alone.

Join our growing community of caregivers.

© 2026 Dementia Caregivers Connection. All rights reserved.

Made with and for caregivers everywhere