Normal ageing versus Alzheimer's disease
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Is your loved one suffering from dementia or is it just normal ageing? The following table outlines the difference between the two.
| Normal ageing | Alzheimer's disease |
| Memory deficits not significant. | Memory deficits significant. |
| Tasks of daily living activity mostly intact (limited deterioration). | Tasks of daily living become problematic and function is impaired. Deterioration initially gradually later markedly noticeable. |
| No specific microscopic changes in brain tissue. | Specific microscopic changes, i.e. neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaques. |
| Personality mostly unchanged. | Personality changes. |
For more information visit: Dementia SA: http://www.dementiasa.org/ or Alzheimer’s South Africa: http://www.alzheimers.org.za
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