Skip to content
Healthy Aging Hub

:

Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.

4 min

When did Alzheimer's first start showing up? A Look into its Medical History

In 1906, German psychiatrist Dr. Alois Alzheimer documented the first case of what would become known as Alzheimer's disease. This moment is when Alzheimer's first started showing up as a distinct medical condition, separating it from the broader, often-dismissed concept of 'senile dementia'.

Read Healthy Aging
5 min

What did they call dementia in the 1800s? A historical perspective

During the 19th century, cognitive decline was widespread, yet medical understanding was primitive. So, what did they call dementia in the 1800s? The terminology and attitudes of the time reflected a starkly different and often cruel view of aging and mental illness, where conditions like 'senile dementia' were commonly misunderstood as an inevitable part of growing old.

Read Healthy Aging
4 min

When did they first diagnose dementia? A look at history

While dementia-like symptoms were noted for centuries, the first official diagnosis based on underlying brain pathology occurred in the early 20th century. German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer presented the case of his patient, Auguste Deter, a pivotal moment in understanding the disease.

Read Healthy Aging
4 min

Did people in the 1800s have dementia? A historical exploration

With a global life expectancy of under 40 years in 1800, fewer people lived long enough to experience age-related cognitive decline. Yet, historical records confirm that people did indeed have dementia, though it was understood very differently.

Read Healthy Aging
3 min

Did dementia exist before 1979? A historical deep dive

Evidence of cognitive decline, including memory loss and confusion, has been documented since ancient times. This raises the intriguing question: **Did dementia exist before 1979**? The historical reality is that the condition is not a new phenomenon, but rather a long-recognized aspect of the human experience that has evolved dramatically in its medical definition and public perception over time.

Read Healthy Aging
2 min

Exploring the history: When did dementia in Australia start?

While dementia is not a new disease, the formal recognition and public response to it have evolved significantly. The prevalence of dementia in Australians aged 65 and over rose from 5.10% in 2015 to 5.23% in 2018, highlighting its growing impact. This complex history influences how we answer the question, when did dementia in Australia start, by examining the evolution of diagnosis, research, and policy.

Read Healthy Aging
5 min

When did they start calling it dementia? A historical perspective

While the concept of age-related cognitive decline has existed for millennia, the term *dementia* itself has a more recent and complex history. This exploration will detail the evolution of the concept, answering exactly **when did they start calling it dementia?**

Read Healthy Aging