WordValedementia
progressive decline in memory and thinking abilities
In more detail
a disease of the brain that causes a person to gradually lose the ability to remember things, think clearly, and take care of themselves, especially affecting older people
Examples
- Her grandfather was diagnosed with dementia at age 75 and began to forget family members.
How to use dementia
Dementia is a medical and clinical term used to describe progressive neurological conditions involving cognitive decline. It is the umbrella term for various types (such as Alzheimer's) and is commonly used in healthcare, caregiving, and general discussion about aging. The term is respectful and appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.
Common phrases
- suffer from dementia
- diagnosed with dementia
- advanced dementia
- dementia care
- dementia patients
Synonyms
cognitive decline · memory loss · mental deterioration · Alzheimer's disease
Word family
demented (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use dementia and Alzheimer's interchangeably, but Alzheimer's is a specific type of dementia, not a synonym for the general condition.
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