Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are complex conditions. They affect millions of families throughout the United States. They don’t just affect memory—they affect behavior, personality, and everyday life.
Because of the many profound ways dementia can impact a life, many people find themselves wondering whether or not these conditions are legally classified as disabilities.
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are both classified as disabilities, but it depends on the stage. If a person is relatively unaffected by cognitive decline, it rarely counts as a disability. However, when their condition affects everyday life and abilities, it’s recognized as a disability.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a broad term that covers a group of symptoms that develop due to changes within the brain. There are many types of dementia, each with unique underlying causes and symptoms. Each affects cells within the brain and leads to cognitive decline, memory changes, and more.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It makes up roughly 60–80% of all diagnosed cases. It’s a progressive condition that gradually destroys brain cells. Eventually, it leads to memory loss, impaired reasoning, and difficulty with daily activities.
Over time, Alzheimer’s disease symptoms affect a person’s ability to stay independent, safe, and engaged in their everyday life. Without proper care, Alzheimer’s disease can create new risks every day, leading to all kinds of problematic situations.
How to Recognize Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease share many similar symptoms. Both are known to affect memory and behavior. However, they also cause:
- Short-term memory loss, such as forgetting recent conversations or events
- Difficulty paying attention and following conversations
- Word-finding difficulties and trouble understanding simple instructions
- Mood changes, including irritability, anxiety, and depression
- Judgment issues, such as poor decision-making
If you notice any of these changes in an older loved one, don’t ignore them.
What Defines a Disability in the United States?
In the United States, a disability is defined as a condition that significantly limits one or more major life activities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides legal protections for individuals with disabilities. It exists to help ensure all people living with a disability have equal access to accommodations in employment, public services, and other necessities.
How Disabilities Are Classified in the United States
The Social Security Administration (SSA) outlines several key criteria in the Blue Book to qualify for disability benefits:
- Inability to perform prior work
- Inability to adjust to new work due to the condition
- The condition must last at least 1 year or result in death
Eligibility for benefits varies depending on factors like age, income, work history, and tax contributions. For those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, meeting these criteria may allow them to access much-needed support.
Is Dementia Considered a Disability?
Because dementia includes a range of conditions, it becomes complicated when specifically defining it as a disability. The condition can range from mild impairment to severe cognitive changes.
However, since it’s so prevalent in modern times, it’s officially recognized as a disability by the World Health Organization.
In the United States, a person living with dementia is eligible for benefits when their condition affects everyday life and safety. When it comes to benefits, this is state-specific. Certain regulations may affect whether or not a person with dementia qualifies for disability benefits.
Is Alzheimer’s Disease a Disability?
Alzheimer’s disease is classified similarly to dementia. When it affects a person’s ability to carry out their activities of daily living, it’s considered a disability. Fortunately, as with dementia, a person with Alzheimer’s disease often qualifies for disability benefits.
Finding Support for Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, finding adaptive support can be life-changing. Through professional options like memory care, you can get them the specialized and personalized support they deserve.
Memory care is a lifestyle designed to offer:
- 24/7 supervision to provide safety and security
- Assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing
- Structured programs and events to promote cognitive engagement
- Nutritious meals tailored to meet dietary needs
- Medication management and health monitoring
- Social opportunities to foster a sense of community
A lifestyle that nurtures all aspects of wellness—from physical health to emotional bonds—can help older adults living with dementia stay safe and maintain their quality of life. It also creates more chances for moments of joy.
Reach Out to Our Community Today
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are challenging. They require professional support, and often, families benefit from learning much more about the condition. Fortunately, your family isn’t alone, and here at Juniper Village at Preston Hollow, we’re ready to help.
Our team is dedicated to welcoming your loved one to a warm, friendly home where they can feel supported and celebrated every day. Schedule a visit with us today, and let us help you navigate this journey.
