Alzheimer's and Memory Loss: Frequently Asked Questions

Dementia is a general term for a decline in memory and thinking severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60 to 80 percent of cases. Other causes include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, and many people have more than one.

Some slowing is normal, such as taking longer to recall a name. Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as repeating questions, getting lost in familiar places, or trouble managing money, is not a normal part of aging and deserves an evaluation. See memory loss or normal aging.

Most people with Alzheimer's are 65 or older, and risk rises with age. When symptoms begin before 65, doctors call it early-onset or younger-onset Alzheimer's. The brain changes of Alzheimer's begin years, often more than a decade, before memory symptoms appear.

An estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association's 2026 Facts and Figures report.

Rarely in the direct sense. Fewer than 1 percent of cases come from inherited gene changes passed from parent to child. More often, genes such as APOE4 raise risk without determining it. See Alzheimer's in your family.

When you or people close to you notice changes that are new and persistent, such as repeating questions, missing appointments or bills, getting lost, or trouble finding words. Early evaluation matters because treatable causes can be found and because Alzheimer's treatments work in the early stages.

Yes. FDA-cleared blood tests can help detect Alzheimer's-related changes in adults who have memory symptoms, as part of a full evaluation. Experts do not recommend them for people without symptoms outside of research. See blood tests for Alzheimer's.

Most people without symptoms do not need it, and a result cannot predict whether you will get Alzheimer's. If several relatives developed Alzheimer's before age 65, ask about genetic counseling. People considering Leqembi or Kisunla are tested for APOE4 to help assess the risk of side effects.

A specialist combines your history, a family member's observations, cognitive testing, lab work, and brain imaging. To confirm Alzheimer's, doctors look for amyloid in the brain with a PET scan, a spinal fluid test, or in some cases a blood test. See what to expect at a memory evaluation.

MCI is a decline in memory or thinking that is noticeable and measurable while a person still manages daily life independently. It has many causes, including early Alzheimer's disease, and it is the stage at which today's Alzheimer's treatments can be used. See mild cognitive impairment.

Not yet. Two FDA-approved treatments, Leqembi (lecanemab) and Kisunla (donanemab), remove amyloid plaque from the brain and slow the progression of early Alzheimer's disease. Other medications can ease symptoms such as memory loss and confusion for a time.

People with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease whose testing confirms amyloid in the brain, and who are good candidates after a review of their health history and MRI. A specialist makes the decision together with the patient and family.

Medicare Part B covers both drugs for eligible patients. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan and any supplemental coverage, so ask our team about your coverage before treatment begins.

Physical activity, control of blood pressure and blood sugar, treating hearing loss, good sleep, and social connection all support brain health and lower dementia risk. See lowering your risk.

Choose a calm moment, share specific examples, lead with concern, and frame the visit as a checkup. Involving their primary care doctor often helps. See how to talk with a loved one about memory changes.

You can always share your observations with the care team, and they are valuable. For the team to share medical information with you, your loved one can sign a HIPAA authorization naming you or designate you as their health care surrogate.

No single age or stage decides it. Warning signs include getting lost on familiar routes, new dents or near-misses, confusion at intersections, and family members who feel unsafe as passengers. Ask the care team about a formal driving evaluation.

Medicare's GUIDE program offers eligible families in-home respite care, a 24/7 support line, and care navigation, and Memory Treatment Centers delivers it with Craniometrix. The Alzheimer's Association Helpline, 800-272-3900, is open at any hour. See caring for the caregiver.