Myths about dementia spread on social media and other parts of the Internet, and it can be damaging.
It’s one of those topics that people think they understand, but the truth is that some are completely wrong. These myths don’t just misinform—they delay action, misguide families, and create unnecessary fear.
With 2025 around the corner, we’re still fighting the same misinformation. If you don’t understand dementia, you can’t effectively help those living with it—or prepare yourself if it enters your life.
This article will break down 15 myths people are still clinging to and arms you with the facts. Not the fluff, not the feel-good stuff—just the truth, so you can navigate dementia with clarity and confidence.
15 Myths About Dementia That Some People Still Believe
Myth: Only Seniors Develop Dementia
Facts: Dementia doesn’t discriminate by age. Early-Onset Dementia affects individuals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
You might think dementia is a senior citizen’s problem—after all, that’s the stereotype. But reality doesn’t care about stereotypes.
Early-onset dementia is proof that age isn’t the deciding factor.
It’s not about how long you’ve been alive but how your brain health develops over time.
Waiting to take action because “I’m too young for that” is like ignoring a smoke alarm because the fire isn’t visible yet.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, age isn’t an excuse to delay getting help.
Source: WHO International
Myth: Dementia Isn’t Treatable
Facts: While there is no cure, treatments can slow progression and improve quality of life.
To be honest, treatable doesn’t mean curable. But just because you can’t fix the engine doesn’t mean you can’t tune it up.
Modern medicine, lifestyle changes, and early intervention can make a massive difference.
If you act early, you’re giving yourself or your loved one the best possible shot at a meaningful life.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
Myth: Dementia Only Affects Memory
Facts: Dementia impacts cognition, behavior, and physical abilities—not just memory.
Dementia rewires the brain, affecting how someone thinks, reacts, and even moves.
It’s about the whole system breaking down, not just one function.
Understanding this broader impact changes how we care for and communicate with those affected.
Source: National Institute of Aging
Myth: Memory Loss Always Signifies Dementia
Facts: Memory issues can arise from stress, medication, dehydration, or other health conditions.
Address the root cause before slapping on a dementia label. Otherwise, you’re treating a symptom, not the problem.
Source: National Institute of Aging
Myth: Dementia is Always Preventable
Facts: Some risk factors, like genetics, cannot be controlled.
The idea of total prevention is appealing but unrealistic. Some factors are beyond your control, like your genetic makeup or early life health issues.
Focus on what you can control: healthy habits, mental activity, and reducing known risks.
Source: NHS
Myth: Dementia is Just Being Forgetful
Facts: Dementia is a progressive disease that impacts daily living, not just occasional forgetfulness.
Forgetting where you put your keys happens to everyone, but dementia disrupts your ability to manage day-to-day tasks and make decisions. It’s a comprehensive issue, not a simple glitch.
Reducing dementia to mere forgetfulness underestimates the severity and complexity of the condition, which requires structured care and attention.
Source: National Institute of Aging
Myth: Dementia Can Be Cured
Facts: There is no cure for dementia, but treatments can slow its progression and improve quality of life.
Just because there is no cure doesn’t mean there is no hope. Treatments, therapies, and lifestyle interventions can help people manage symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. Progress takes effort, not wishful thinking.
Source: World Health Organization
Myth: Aging Naturally Leads to Dementia
Facts: Dementia is not a normal part of aging, although age increases the risk.
While age may raise the odds, many seniors live sharp, healthy lives. Dementia results from specific changes in the brain, not an inevitable consequence of aging.
Aging may be unavoidable, but dementia doesn’t have to be.
Source: National Institute of Aging
Myth: All People with Dementia Become Aggressive
Facts: While aggression can occur, it is not universal and often stems from confusion or frustration.
People with dementia may act out because they are scared, confused, or frustrated, not because aggression is their default behavior.
Understanding their triggers and responding with patience can reduce incidents and improve their quality of life.
Source: Medical News Today
Myth: Dementia is Never Fatal
Facts: Dementia can lead to severe complications, ultimately resulting in death.
Dementia may not seem dangerous at first, but the damage accumulates over time.
It progressively impairs essential bodily functions like swallowing and mobility, making it a life-threatening condition.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
Myth: Using Aluminum Pans Causes Alzheimer’s
Facts: Research shows there is not enough evidence to link aluminum exposure to dementia.
Scientific studies have consistently tested this theory.
The real focus should be on evidence-based risk factors such as cardiovascular health, proper diet, and lifestyle, rather than outdated myths.
Source: Alzheimer’s Research U.K.
Myth: People With Dementia Cannot Learn
Facts: Individuals with dementia can still learn and adapt, though it may take more time and repetition.
Believing that people with dementia can’t learn is akin to saying older businesses can’t innovate—it’s simply incorrect.
The brain retains the ability to adapt, albeit more slowly or less efficiently.
With patience, consistency, and the right environment, people with dementia can acquire new skills or routines.
Don’t underestimate the resilience of the human brain.
Source: National Institutes of Health
Myth: Dementia Is Inevitable with Age
Facts: While age increases risk, dementia isn’t guaranteed.
Age is a risk factor, not a destiny.
Assuming that every elderly person will develop dementia is as misguided as believing every startup will fail—it’s pessimistic and untrue.
Staying physically active, mentally engaged, and socially connected are proven ways to reduce your risk, even as you age.
Source: World Health Organization
Myth: All Dementia is Hereditary
Facts: While some forms of dementia (such as Huntington’s disease and Familial Prion disease) have genetic components, many cases result from a combination of factors.
Genetics might load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.
Some people with a family history of dementia never develop it, while others with no family history do.
It’s a mix of genetics, environment, and choices. Instead of worrying about your DNA, focus on what you can control—your health habits and environment.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
Myth: Can an MRI Alone Diagnose Dementia
Facts: A common misconception about dementia diagnosis is that an MRI alone can definitively diagnose the condition.
In reality, an MRI is just one piece of the puzzle and cannot provide a conclusive diagnosis on its own.
An MRI only shows structural changes in the brain, not necessarily confirming the presence of dementia.
To diagnose dementia, a comprehensive evaluation, including cognitive assessments and medical history, is necessary.
Source: The Radiology Clinic
Conclusion - 15 Myths About Dementia That Some People Still Believe
Dementia holds you back, cloud your judgment, and stop you from making progress.
The truth is, understanding dementia isn’t just about facts; it’s about being prepared, making smarter decisions, and providing the best care possible for the people who need it.
If you’re tired of guesswork and want real solutions, visit Applewood Our House.
We’re not just another care facility—we’re a trusted partner in dementia care, offering expertise and compassion every step of the way.
Don’t let misinformation keep you in the dark; take the first step today.
