Dementia is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects the brain, and it’s not just a normal part of aging. It causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
There are two types of dementia: vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the brain due to atherosclerosis, high blood pressure or other factors. Alzheimer’s disease is more common than vascular dementia and usually occurs after age 60 in adults.
