Is Dementia a Disability
For many people, the answer is yes.
Under the ADA, dementia may be considered a disability if it substantially limits one or more major life activities — such as thinking, concentrating, communicating, learning, or working. Because the ADA defines disability broadly, many people living with dementia may be protected by the law.
It is important to understand that having a disability under the ADA does not mean you are unable to work. In fact, many people living with dementia continue working successfully for months or even years. The ADA exists to help ensure qualified individuals are treated fairly and have the opportunity to continue working, including receiving reasonable accommodations when appropriate.
How Is This Different from Social Security Disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a different definition of disability than the ADA.
While the ADA focuses on protecting employees from discrimination and providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace, the SSA determines whether a person meets the requirements for disability benefits.
Some dementia-related conditions appear on the SSA's Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list, which allows certain applications to be processed more quickly. These conditions include:
- Young-onset Alzheimer's disease
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Mixed dementias
- Primary progressive aphasia
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- ALS parkinsonism dementia complex
Although the ADA and the SSA use different definitions of disability, understanding both can help you make informed employment decisions and plan for the future. A future chapter will explore Social Security disability benefits in more detail.
Dr. Dietrich, Physician Living with Dementia
Living Well While Meeting a Legal Definition of Disability
Read the transcript
Many people struggle with the word disability. As a physician living with dementia, I understand that feeling.
A legal definition of disability doesn't define who you are. It's simply a framework used by laws like the ADA and Social Security to determine protections and eligibility for benefits.
You can continue to live a meaningful, productive life while also meeting a legal definition of disability.