Helpful Definitions
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of progressive neurocognitive disorders. It refers to changes in brain function that significantly affect daily life, including thinking skills, sensory processing, problem-solving, initiating and sequencing tasks, memory, and much more.
There are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VAD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and mixed dementia.
What is mild cognitive impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which a person experiences a slight—but noticeable—decline in mental abilities such as memory and thinking skills compared with others of the same age.
The decline is noticeable to the person experiencing it or to others who interact with the person, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with normal daily life and activities.
What are neurocognitive disorders?
Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) refer to a group of conditions in which the primary symptom is a decline in cognitive function. These are disorders in which changes in thinking, memory, or other mental abilities represent a decrease from a person’s previous level of functioning.
Dementia vs. NCD
Although the term dementia is still commonly used in both medical and everyday settings, the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)—a handbook used by health care professionals—classifies these conditions under the broader category of neurocognitive disorders (NCDs).
As the DSM-5 explains, it retains the word dementia for continuity, recognizing that it remains widely understood by individuals, families, care partners, and professionals in many fields. However, neurocognitive disorder is now the preferred medical term because it more accurately describes conditions involving changes in thinking, memory, and reasoning, and it applies to people of all ages.
"Care Partners" vs. "Caregivers"
You may notice that NCDM tends to use the term “care partner” instead of “caregiver.” We prefer the term "care partner" because it emphasizes a reciprocal relationship, highlighting the active engagement of both parties.
