Memory and cognition

Dementia is a general term that describes a loss of mental functions severe enough to affect your daily life and activities.

Dementia is linked to several diseases and affects:

• The ability to focus and complete everyday tasks
• Language skills
• Memory
• Problem-solving
• Psychological health with potential personality changes
• Visual perception (your ability to make sense of what you see)

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. In fact, Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. For the most part, Alzheimer's affects people 65 years or older. A small percentage of people can develop early-onset Alzheimer's.

The Alzheimer's Association lists 10 changes that can signal Alzheimer's:

• Memory loss that disrupts life
• Challenges in planning and problem-solving
• Trouble completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time and place
• Trouble understanding visual and spatial relationships
• New problems coming up with words, speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and the inability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdraw from work or social activities
• Changes in mood and personality

At Sentara and throughout the world, researchers are diligently working on treatments to slow the progression of Alzheimer's. Sentara participates in many of those clinical trials.

At Sentara, we value the team approach when it comes to diagnosing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Neurological teams that include neuropsychologists, neurologists and radiologists review your information and determine a diagnosis. No single test can determine whether you have Alzheimer's. Rather, the diagnosis is made by evaluating and excluding other factors that could be causing dementia.

At Sentara and throughout the world, researchers are diligently working on treatments to slow the progression of Alzheimer's. Sentara participates in many of those clinical trials through the Sentara Health Research Center.

Our neurological clinical trials have included research on Alzheimer's medications, headache relief and Parkinson's disease symptom management. Giving patients access to cutting-edge trials that seek to improve neurological symptoms and conditions is an essential part of our mission. We know this is vital, not just for Sentara patients but for patients everywhere with neurological disorders.