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Learn about Dementia

‘Dementia’ is an umbrella term meaning that a person’s memory, thinking or social abilities can be a daily life challenge.There are over 100 brain diseases that cause dementia symptoms; Alzheimer’s disease is the most common one.

Alzheimer’s Disease

60-70%

Vascular Dementia

10-20%

Frontotemporal Dementia

10%

Lewy Body Dementia

5%

Other
Dementias

5%
Three generations of a family smiling and playing together, representing familial support and joy for individuals affected by dementia.

Here’s the Scoop

Family genes aren’t the only factor. Contrary to popular opinion,

  • Anyone can be affected

  • Age counts, but younger people can get it too

Learn more about the types of dementia here.

Myth or Fact?

Quiz yourself and others. It's fun, and you might learn something new, too :)

Half of Calgarians know someone with dementia

Myth or Fact? Discover

Half of Calgarians know someone with dementia

It's a fact
It's a myth

If you have a connection, you’re definitely not the odd person out. If you’re living with dementia, or know someone with dementia, you have something in common with half of the people in Calgary and surrounding areas (or about every other person you meet).

Half of Calgarians know someone with dementia

It's a fact
It's a myth

If you have a connection, you’re definitely not the odd person out. If you’re living with dementia, or know someone with dementia, you have something in common with half of the people in Calgary and surrounding areas (or about every other person you meet).

What’s good for your heart health is good for your brain health

Myth or Fact? Discover

What’s good for your heart health is good for your brain health

It's a fact
It's a myth

All that effort to exercise, eat more veggies, reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol also helps reduce your risk of dementia. Heart healthy advice is also great for your brain.

What’s good for your heart health is good for your brain health

It's a fact
It's a myth

All that effort to exercise, eat more veggies, reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol also helps reduce your risk of dementia. Heart healthy advice is also great for your brain.

People with dementia aren’t aware of what’s happening around them

Myth or Fact? Discover

People with dementia aren’t aware of what’s happening around them

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Awareness doesn’t go away. Even if a person with dementia has trouble expressing themselves, they definitely feel emotions and can be aware of what’s happening around them, often into the advanced stages of the disease process.

People with dementia aren’t aware of what’s happening around them

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Awareness doesn’t go away. Even if a person with dementia has trouble expressing themselves, they definitely feel emotions and can be aware of what’s happening around them, often into the advanced stages of the disease process.

Olive oil can be good for you

Myth or Fact? Discover

Olive oil can be good for you

It's a fact
It's a myth

If you’re dreaming about that Mediterranean cruise on your bucket list, the Mediterranean diet is excellent for your brain (and that includes extra virgin olive oil). But you don’t actually have to go there to eat like you’re in the Mediterranean.  

Read about the Mediterranean diet

Olive oil can be good for you

It's a fact
It's a myth

If you’re dreaming about that Mediterranean cruise on your bucket list, the Mediterranean diet is excellent for your brain (and that includes extra virgin olive oil). But you don’t actually have to go there to eat like you’re in the Mediterranean.  

Read about the Mediterranean diet

Dementia only affects memory

Myth or Fact? Discover

Dementia only affects memory

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Anything your brain controls can be affected by dementia. Memory loss is common, as are changes with a person’s language, communication, judgement, problem-solving, decision-making, behavior, mood and more.

Dementia only affects memory

It's a fact
It's a myth

Fact: Anything your brain controls can be affected by dementia. Memory loss is common, as are changes with a person’s language, communication, judgement, problem-solving, decision-making, behavior, mood and more.

Being social is good for your brain

Myth or Fact? Discover

Being social is good for your brain

It's a fact
It's a myth

Remember back in the day when you’d get in trouble for talking in class? ;) It turns out that socializing is actually good for your brain. Connect with people, have conversations and make new connections. Doctors give it a thumbs up!

Being social is good for your brain

It's a fact
It's a myth

Remember back in the day when you’d get in trouble for talking in class? ;) It turns out that socializing is actually good for your brain. Connect with people, have conversations and make new connections. Doctors give it a thumbs up!

Learn from Others

Dr Dallas Seitz
“If someone gets diagnosed, ask them what it’s like for them instead of assuming. That’s extremely impactful because they’re people, just like anyone else.”

Dr. Dallas Seitz

Geriatric Psychiatrist and Health Services Researcher

“Children can really show us a lot. I see fear in kids initially, but once we explain what’s going on, they have less judgement than adults. They form relationships really easily.”

Samantha Norberg

Registered Social Worker, Caregiver Support with Jewish Family Services, and former practicum role at Alzheimer Calgary Club 36 program

“People can live quite successfully for years. Many people are surprised that you can go out, be social, go to restaurants, be active, and have fun.”

John McCaffery

Local person living with dementia, diagnosed at a young age. Involved with YouQuest, focusing on Young Onset Dementia

“Most people dismiss it, thinking they can’t get it. The reality is that it can happen to anybody. Knowing that will teach people to learn more, advocate more, educate themselves, because that could be their future.”

Ramna Tahir

Registered Nurse, previous experience at Alzheimer Calgary Club 36 program

Common Questions

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the connections in the brain. It’s the most common cause of dementia symptoms. Often includes memory issues, trouble finding the right words, having trouble navigating your way around, and more.

What is dementia?

Having ‘dementia’ simply means that a person’s memory, thinking or social functioning can be a daily life challenge for them. There are many different brain diseases that can cause dementia symptoms.

What causes dementia?

Aging is the most common cause of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Everyone ages, therefore, anyone can get it. There are steps you can take to help reduce your risk, like getting enough Zs and more. Check them out here.

Are these brain diseases genetic?

Contrary to popular opinion, family genes aren’t the main factor here. Only a small portion of Alzheimer's disease (5-7%) is hereditary, meaning that over 90% of the time, it’s not caused by genetics. Rest assured, there are things you can do to help reduce your risk.

What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

As Dr. Ismail put it, “If dementia is like the class of pickup trucks on Alberta roads, Alzheimer’s is your Ford F-150.” Having ‘dementia’ means that a person’s memory, thinking or social abilities can be a daily life challenge. 

There are over 100 different brain diseases that cause dementia symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is just one of these brain diseases, and the most common one. There are plenty of other brain diseases, such as vascular, Lewy body, young onset, frontotemporal dementia and more.

What are the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias?

We all have memory lapses. How do you know when it might be time to get symptoms checked out by a doctor? Here we break down what’s normal and what might be a sign.