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Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, learning and reasoning—and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with daily life and activities. Memory loss, though common, is not the only sign. A person may also have problems with language skills, visual perception, or paying attention. Some people have personality changes. Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
There are different forms of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form in people over age 65. The chart below explains some differences between normal signs of aging and Alzheimer's disease.
| Normal Aging | Alzheimer's Disease |
|---|---|
| Making a bad decision once in a while | Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time |
| Missing a monthly payment | Problems taking care of monthly bills |
| Forgetting which day it is and remembering it later | Losing track of the date or time of year |
| Sometimes forgetting which word to use | Trouble having a conversation |
| Losing things from time to time | Misplacing things often and being unable to find them |
