Apathy in Alzheimer’s or Dementia

Apathy is defined as a feeling of disinterest, lacking the motivation to do anything or to care about anything around you. It can be a sign of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and some mental health conditions.

Adults with dementia often lose the motivation and fervor for activities and experiences that used to interest them. They may be uninterested in their environment, and fail to respond behaviorally and emotionally to different situations. They may also be indifferent or uninterested when meeting new people or trying new things. When someone experiences a number of these symptoms, a clinical diagnosis of apathy is possible.

Apathy is associated with changes in the brain. It often occurs in the early stages of dementia and persists as the disease progresses. For people with dementia, it is one of the most common symptoms. About 50 to 70 percent of people with dementia also have apathy, and it’s more common in those with dementia than in healthy aging. Evidence suggests that apathy can also be an early sign of dementia.

Apart from the social and behavioral impacts of apathy, which can have a significant impact on a person’s life, it can also have physical impact. The lack of engagement in activities could decrease one’s strength and balance, which can increase the risk of falls.

Apathy might seem similar to depression, but they are in fact different. A person suffering from apathy finds difficulty taking action on behalf or themselves or other, but unlike depression, no feelings of sadness are present.