Not really, since advancing age and declining memory do go hand-in-hand. Dementia is definitely related to forgetfulness, but of a more severe kind; it is not concerned with small things like misplacing things, or failing to remember names and addresses. If the ability to absorb new information, carry out daily tasks and solve problems is still intact, then senility or Dementia is still far away.

Dementia starts with a loss of memory. Gradually, there is a loss of cognitive functions such as learning, perception and reasoning. It is a disorder, for it really cannot be termed a disease. Routine activities or the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing and feeding become difficult to tackle. Household chores cannot be performed to satisfaction. Since the brain is affected, there is no control over emotions. In severe cases, even the personality may undergo unexpected changes.

Abnormal functioning of the brain could be due to prior medical complications such as head injuries, chronic diseases and infections, strokes, overdose and continuous use of strong drugs, and even nutritional deficiencies. Depending on the extent of damage, the disorder can be mild, intermediate or severe. The earliest stage is recognizable because of difficulty in verbal expression, inability to perform the simplest of tasks, misplacement of things, sudden forgetfulness, refusal to socialize, rapid mood swings and disorientation.

In the intermediate stage, there is an increase in the severity of the symptoms mentioned above, along with sleep disturbance and the inability to absorb or retain information. The individual’s behavioral patterns may become difficult to handle—anxiety, depression, agitation, aggression, delusions and hallucinations. Even sexual behavior cannot be termed appropriate. Naturally, the senile patient is prone to accidents because of confusion and disorientation.

As far as the advanced stage of the disorder goes, the individual becomes totally dependent on a caregiver, so much so that walking or moving about alone is also an impossible task. Along with a total loss of memory, both short-term and long-term, there are physiological complications—difficulty in swallowing, malnutrition, dehydration, increased risk of aspiration and choking, injuries due to accidents or falls, loss of control over bladder, seizures, infections and sores, and so on.

The majority of the victims of Dementia in the US alone, are beyond 85 years of age (30% to 50%); just around 1% of those aged between 60 and 64 are affected. To prevent the numbers going up in future, clinical trials and researchers are hunting for permanent cures.

Now, this is not to say that Dementia has no treatment, or that its effects cannot be reversed. Medications can reverse the process, if not completely, at least partially. It is also possible to cure this disorder via cognitive-behavioral therapy, involving the patient and his/her family members. Retraining and reversal of former behavioral patterns will help the individual, as much as the family, in coping better with the illness.