Memory Loss: What is Dementia and How to Prevent It?

Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a syndrome or a group of disorders characterized by a decline from a previously attained cognitive level that affects activities of daily living (ADL) and social functioning. It is usually of a chronic or progressive nature that affects memory, thinking, orientation, and comprehension, learning capacity, language, judgment and mood as well as behavior. Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. It can be overwhelming, not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families.