Although the progression of Alzheimer’s disease can be slowed down today thanks to today’s medications, it cannot as of yet be stopped. The process is described in general terms as going through 3 steps:
- Mild Alzheimer’s
- Moderate Alzheimer’s
- Severe Alzheimer’s.
For more meaningful terms between professionals, caregivers and patients, a more detailed process has been characterized in seven stages.
The seven stages below are based on a system developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D., clinical director of the New York University School of Medicine’s Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center.
Stage 1 – Normal
This system calls a mentally healthy person at any age “Stage 1”.
- No memory problems
- No problems with orientation
- person – your name, who you are;
- place – what country, state, city you live in, where you are;
- time – what day, date, season it is
- No problems with judgment
- No difficulties with communication skills
- No problems with daily activities
Stage 2 – Normal Aged Forgetfulness
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More than half of all people ages 65 and older complain of cognitive difficulties. This is considered a normal part of aging.
- Occasional lapses in memory, usually undetectable to family and friends
- Slight cognitive problems, also undetectable to friends and family, might also not be visible on medical exam
Stage 3 – Mild Cognitive Impairment
At this point, there are mild changes in memory, communication skills and/or behavior, noticeable to family members and friends. Symptoms might be picked up by an alert physician. Many people will not decline further than this point. Notwithstanding, a majority do progress to Mild Alzheimer’s within two to four years.
- Problems remembering names, words for objects
- Difficulties functioning at work and in social settings
- Problems remembering newly-read material
- Misplacing important items with increasing frequency
- Decline in organizational skills and the ability to plan
- Repeating questions and evident anxiety
Stage 4 – Mild Alzheimer’s
Cognitive symptoms are more obvious now. A neurologist can confidently diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and treat it with medications that have been proven effective in slowing it down.
- Difficulty remembering personal details, recent events
- Some confusion possible (ie: might put towel in fridge)
- Impaired mathematical ability, financial management (trouble managing a checkbook – for those who did not have trouble managing one before)
- Social withdrawal
- Moodiness, depression
Stage 5 – Moderate Alzheimer’s
This is the stage at which it is not possible for a person with Alzheimer’s to live alone.
- Severe memory loss, e.g., may not remember basic personal contact information such as current address or phone number
- Disorientation (not knowing the day/date/season, and/or location/country/state/city)
- No longer safe to cook, even if the sufferer can manage or remember the logistics of the process, due to severe short-term memory difficulties and confusion
- Wandering risk; might get lost once leaving the home
- Decreased personal hygiene skills
- Increased desire to sleep is common
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Stage 6 – Moderately Severe Alzheimer’s
It is at this stage that family members often suffer the most, because the loved one with Alzheimer’s loses much of the ability to recognize those around him or her, even a spouse, sibling, parent or child. Personality changes are common as well.
- Severe memory loss continues to intensify
- Withdrawal from surroundings
- Wandering
- Reduced awareness of recent events
- Problems recognizing loved ones, although it is still possible to differentiate between those who are familiar and those who are not
- “Sundowning”, if it has not yet begun, makes its appearance at this point – this is the phenomenon of increased restlessness and agitation toward sundown (hence the name), in the late afternoon and evening hours
- Bathroom management becomes difficult; at this stage it often is necessary to switch to diapers due to incontinence, wetting and other such problems using the bathroom independently
- Paranoia, suspiciousness
- Shadowing, extreme anxiety, following a loved one around the house due to fears of being alone
- Repetitive, compulsive behavior (verbal and/or nonverbal)
Stage 7 – Severe Alzheimer’s
This is the final stage of Alzheimer’s disease, at which the long goodbye comes to an end. Even though the Alzheimer’s person may somewhere inside really hear and understand what is being said, he or she can no longer respond, other than possibly to speak a word or phrase.
- Communication is very limited
- Physical systems begin to deteriorate
- Gross motor coordination shuts down, may not be able to sit
- Swallowing may become difficult, choking is a risk
The last stage of Alzheimer’s disease, as with any other illness, is a very individual matter and no two journeys end the same way. People with Alzheimer’s seem to experience little physical pain. What is certain, however, is that every Alzheimer’s journey ends – as does every other. May they all be peaceful and pain free.
A Fresh Perspective
For a new, insight-filled perspective on the stages of Alzheimer’s, check out the video:
Teepa Uses Gems To Illustrate The Stages Of Alzheimer’s
In this video, Teepa Snow shows what to expect, while keeping the focus on the person, not the disease.
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hey guys my grandfather is 88 going on 89 he's a very able and independent man he can do simple tasks around his home .. he recently got a pank button which is a great re-leave to him and our family, i visit him as often as i can as he lives 50 miles away and i spent the whole day with him, my last visit before he was getting very upset as he misplaced his walking stick and got upset and cried for ages it took me over an hour to cam him down , iv just come back from my recent visit and he's been explain g to me he sees things (people) he was tell me that a man shared his bed and he' s been there for months , the other evening a lady sat in his arm chair and never spoke to him then next thing she was gone . he asked me to explain this to him ,(as he lives alone as his wife past away a few years ago ) i told him is eyes are playing tricks and maybe he's dreaming . he's told me other story's in the past and i find it hard to explain to him .. should he be on any medication to help with this ? as there is no information regarding stages about this.
My husband has had it only a short while and not sure if is dementia. He is so loving and caring about every ones health and feelings that day and Have I called all the kids. He sleeps late in the morning and I take advantage of that time to be on Facebook and research.He has Sundowners bad.. Things start going down hill around 3 PM and many times he has already eaten and then wants to know when we're going to eat . Trying to sleep with him is a chore. He's asleep but kicks and scratches my arms .. Says he just wants to hold me and I have read that holding and touching is a very good thing for them but I get no sleep. If I get up then he gets up too and comes where I am..He is so loving and whatever I want to do for food is o k with him also spending money .. I have no one that relieves me.. I take him with me when I have to go to town but in this Valley the weather is getting hot and can't leave him in the car. Also has got out and came hunting me 3 times. It seems I am his whole life. Asks me where are you hundreds of times a day and I always tell him where I am going like to bathroom, do laundry , wash dishes etc.. I make it ok during the day but the nights are what wear me out..Dr gave him some Clonazapam for the restlessness and after 2 days he was not able to walk. Was down crawling on the floor and fell several times. Called 911 and E R decided it was problems from the drug even tho was only 1 MG..Was admitted and also found he had some inter-cranial bleeding..Very minor but wondering if it can get bigger..Walking very good with his walker… I have enjoyed this reading of other people and how they handle it..
"Eyes playing tricks", as you call it, sound like hallucinations, which are common in Lewy Body dementia as well as other types of dementia. The thing to do is to ask a neurologist.
To learn more about Lewy Body dementia, go to column to the right, and under the section called, "Pick a Topic", click on "Lewy Body". For even more information on Lewy Body dementia, try the Lewy Body Dementia Association at LBDA.org.
My mother was diagnosed with Mascular Degeneration in 2006. I was divorced at the time so I sold my house and bought hers in 2007. She later was diagnosed with Dimentia. In December I had to call 911 . She was having panic attacks that lasted all day. My mom is 92. I have been caring for her since 2007. I am her prime caretaker and I now have Hospice in to help me. According to this she's in stage 5 and getting worse all the time. She hullucinates everyday and most of the time is very agitated. Playing with her fingers and bed clothes all the time. She is seeing and hearing relatives that have past. When she is agitated I can't calm her down. It's like she's in her own little world. I see her getting worse everyday. I get very little time out of the house but that's ok. I wouldn't give up taking care of my mom for the world.She raised me all those years. I am 61. Now it's my turn to take care of her.My mom has been bedridden since December 30 th of last year. So sh'e been in bed for 3 months now.
Mary, how's your mum condition now? Does she has sleep disruption at this stage?
My father has been showing signs of dementia for the past few years. I recently returned home for a holiday after being abroad for 2 years, to watch him go absolutely berserk in the space of a few hours. He was swearing, threatening, and prepared to be physically violent to me. This all came from a letter he'd received from his car insurance company which he'd talked about several times throughout the day. Next day realizing what a jerk he'd been the night before, my mother told me that that was her daily life now having to cope with this and that he was going to see a Doctor (the next day) about it, reality was he was going to see a practice Nurse for his scheduled diabetes urine test, so clearly he is manipulating everyone, since he did not see a Doctor and did not relate the events. The problem is he hides his symptoms from his Doctor and will not take medicine. I found him to be actually terrifying. Next morning he asked my mother who that was in the room downstairs. Most of the time he is quite lucid and normal, but I suspect a bit of sundowning is going in, since his agitation starts as the evening begins, and at that time he goes to his cabinet and starts to drink whisky (by himself) which only makes the situation more complex. He is afraid to drive his car, but insists he is a great driver, traveling with him in his car can be a terrifying experience, My own thoughts are that he is already in one of the later stages of Alzheimer's but his refusal to consult a Doctor is preventing any suitable treatment being worked out. My mother now cares for most of his needs, and he tends to follow her around the house and even to the Bingo now – he never played Bingo before – so it is difficult to say how his capabilities to fend for himself have become impaired. I feel he is just not prepared to seek help or effective medication, and for that reason cannot imagine at this point how things will progress.
You might want to check out "Elder Rage" in the bookstore, written by a lady who went through something similar. It's in the "Caregiver's Health" section.
Dear Marvin..I wish to answer you more in detail later as I have a appointment now. With the driving for your Dads sake and others take away his keys. Explain he could hurt some one because he is not thinking good today. Or do something to the car so it won't start. My husband was saying he could drive, et when he turned into on coming traffic made a left turn on a red light arguing he could do this. The neurologist said no more driving and told him he could not stop soon enough if child ran out into the street. Coming from the DR did help him somewhat to understand and I kept the keys. Perhaps tell your Dad he needs to renew his license and he most likely won't pass. Sometimes you can get a LO to a doctor who understands dementia by saying you have to see this doctor so we can get your insurance renewed. Fiblets as we in the AD world call them are allowed in the AD world..God understands. He will then perhaps get the meds he needs to help him. I know from experience always ask to start at the lowest dosage and more can be added in a week or so if needed. I cared for my husband in my home for 7 years and am a moderator for an Alzheimer's Support Board. Will be back later my main concern is your Dad certainly should not be driving..if he harms someone you or your Mother will be liable because you know he has some form of dementia and/or he could harm someone or himself. The other is the safety of your Mom because I saw what rage done to my husband..she could be in danger. Do what you can to get him evaluated soon.. One other thought have whomever is seeing him write a prescription that he will see so and so on…this has worked for others. Later..take care it is all very difficult.
There are people that specialize in giving driving assessment tests. Our neurologist ordered this. We went to one with a physical therapy group.
They test reflexes, simulate braking, and if that section is passed, they do a road test.
The first thing they do is to limit how far a person can drive and limit them to neighborhood streets. No overpasses or interstates. They advise a retest in one year or sooner if there is quicker deterioration.
When they can not pass the reflex test, they tell them to stop driving and contact their insurance company and doctor.
This means an outside party is telling them to stop driving and not a family member. It might be well worth it to preserve some peace.
My dad has Alzheimer's and I think he is in the last stages he has been in a care home for 4 Years, my brother and I tried to care for him but found it to hard as we both had young families at the time, he was diagnosed in his early 60's and is 73 now, its been a really sad time for me and my brother as our dad has missed out on his grandchildren even though we take them to see him he can't speak and hasn't been able to speak for the last 4 years or interact with them but he would be very proud of them as he was such a good all rounder sportsmen and all his grandchildren are doing well in there sports, he would have loved to watch them play football, such a horrible disease, he is a lovely dad and its heartbreaking seeing him like this, has anyone come across there loved ones with Alzheimer's that can't speak,
Yes? My father has dementia and mumbles his own language, he doesn't understand what we say. I have a laugh with him through facial expressions etc. He is in another world most the time but gets a few words out sometimes which is really lovely when u hear it. I show him pictures of fame on my phone and he recognises everyone but doesn't understand what I tell him. So I just tell him the neasiest on everyone else n he asks questions but I don't know what he is saying so I just go along and pretend. He is loosing weight for no apparent reason other than walking around the nursing home all the time. Saw him today and had lost more, I fear he going down another stage now and absolutely dread him not recognising us. He was a GP, diagnosed at 65. Thinking back he probably had first signs in his late fifties. My mother now has it. Saf
The only thing I can say for this disease is " deal with them", your all they have and trust, and I am not even family or even ever met this AD couple until 3 yrs ago and 3,000 miles later from Boston to MO I am probably just what they needed as I did!!! That's how the lord and world works!!!!
Sundowners was extremely hard on my husband until he was admitted to a psychiatric unit of a hospital. They evaluate, observe and prescribe until they find the right combination to calm the patient and allow them to relax and rest. I am thankful for their efforts. My husband has been diagnosed for over 9 years and i am grateful for every day that I can hold his hand, see his beautiful smile and bright blue eyes, and dance with him. He hallucinates, he's incontinent, he's not able to maintain hygiene, but he still feeds himself(hearty appetite) and he walks confidently. He knows his name and he knows mine. I was his caregiver until the sundowners hit and he couldn't rest, he was like the energizer bunny. The memory care unit offers security and peace of mind as well as tender care and understanding for the residents. We are blessed.
What the brain does not remember, The heart will not forget!
I love this, thank you for those words
My wonderful grandma is at stage 7. I live in Oregon and she and the rest of my family lives in California. I had to fly down to California about three weeks ago to say my last good-byes to her. I hadn't seen her in about a year maybe a little more. When I first saw her she stared at me and then began to cry and that set me off to where I was crying too. My grandfather thinks she might to the smallest remember me. I have been very close to my grandparents and have always cherished them. Before I left the hospice, it was just my grandmother and I in her room, I was rubbing her head to help her go to sleep, when she finally got to sleep, I whispered to her how much I loved her, that I am blessed to have her as my grandmother and she has always been a wonderful grandmother, I told her that I don't want her to suffer anymore that I want her to be in peace.
My grandmother has been having seeing things from 3 men sitting on a couch in her room (there is no couch in her room), a little boy (there is no small kids in our family) and animals. She eats a bit. She is mainly bed bound due to she is so weak. She can hardly talk. When I told her I loved her you can see she was trying with very little strength that she has she pushed out "I love you" to me.
I have been praying for her and I really hope she is at peace soon. I love you grandma!
I just lost a wonderful gal at my elderly care home with Alzheimer's. She sounds much like ur grandma. I feel they don't remember but the do know feelings.. U and her surroundings are familiar and she knows its safe. My gal slowly lost ability to talk..walk and then no desire to eat. She was with us 8 yes. She has had Alzheimer's longer. My life is blessed because I knew her. I listened while she could take. Even hough only words or phrases. We sometimes has a conversation. Sword the end saw lots of things.. Scared the girls working for me but it just how it was. Till that last day she taught me lots
I learned yesterday from my grandfather that he started realizing something was wrong 20 years ago. My grandmother used to be a book keeper for different firms and was excellent at her job, but then she started forgetting how to do things for her job. My grandparents owned a historical theater in Long Beach, California. She was the book keeper the theater too. When it was starting to get a little bad my grandfather took her to a accountant to show her how to do things again. I didn't know about this until yesterday. My parents went to visit her today and she is getting closer to the end 🙁
Reading the stories on this page made me cry, but in a good way, because I can relate to all of you, but Christie Moore, you touched me the most. My mom is exactly where you grandma is in your post. She is seeing her mother in the room, having conversations and telling me all about it. She is asking me if grandma is visiting me as well. She is seeing her daughter who lives 1000's of miles away in her room and she is talking to her for hours. She lives in California and I live in Canada. I visited her only 2 months ago, and she was quite all right. Today for the first time I called her and she didn't recognize me. She was completely in her own world. I'll try again tomorrow, hoping for better results.
My mom has been in a nursing home since June of 2014. She was diagnosed with Alzheimers mid 2009 to mid 2010. Although we suspected much earlier, 1998. She used to have bouts of crying for no apparent reason. Out of the blue she would bow her head and just cry uncontrollably. It would end as quickly as it began. By 2009 she couldn't remember our (childrens) names. She resorted to being a little kid and would grab toys out of her grand kids hands. We had to explain to our kids what was going on with grandma and just have them play with her.
In March of 2014 she had some type of stroke related to Alzheimers. That is when the doctors told my dad that she couldn't go back home. She needed 24/7 care. She is no longer able to speak with us, or walk or even hold anything in her hands. She is fed pureed foods and is in a wheelchair. My dad goes 3 times a day and spends all his time with her. He feeds her thickened water because regular water could drown her if swallowed and it goes down the wrong pipe.
We are pretty sure this is the last stage of Alzheimer, but we don't know for sure. I do know that if she could talk she would tell us that she does not want to live like this. It is hard seeing her this way.
I try and visit her 2-3 times a week. When I do see her I sing the songs she sang to us and my kids when they were babies.
If anyone out there does read this I would love to hear a response. We are doing everything we can to make her life comfortable and hopefully she has no pain. Does this sound like ending stages of Alzheimers? If so, it sux. It's hard on my dad. His life revolves around the love of his life and watching her deteriorate is difficult.
I'm hoping that by the time my children are in their 50's to 60"s there will be a cure, or a medication to eradicate this disease entirely. Good luck to all out there who are taking care of a family member with this horrendous disease. – Joyce W.
It's awful. Disease my mum just been diagnosed with alzheimers
I have been caring for my mum now for almost eight years, she forgot who i was years ago. We are now in the last stage….. It has been very very hard at times and for us i think stage late 5 and 6 was the worst…..Now she is bed bound, cant talk . all she can still do is eat, and the best is she can still smile… Its a long long sad road.. But i would do it for her all over again.
I am going into stage 5 with my dad..he still knows me because I am the main care giver of the 5 siblings. Its difficult because he keeps pointing to his brain…knowing darn well it is not working right..I tell him its not your fault…the connections in your brain are not flowing right…I tell him its his job to pray and my job to take care of him…we have had an amazing journey these past 4 years and I wouldn't trade a minute of it…but the toughest part is still ahead…God bless all u caretakers. ..
You sound the perfect carer Karen Western, to have looked after your Mother for nearly eight years is wonderful I was a carer for my darling husband for two & a half years & a stroke hastened the dementia which hospitalised him then to a nursing home. Seeing the decline of a loved one is I think one of life's hardest things to bare, the dementia my husband had was "Lewy Body" named after the Doctor that discovered it. My thoughts are with all carers for people with this horrible decease, keep strong & get all the help from the proper authorities to allow you to keep going with your wonderful tireless work.
Hi Karyn
God bless you. You are a very special daughter indeed I quote: "But I would do it all over again"
HELLO, THIS IS DOUBLE SPEAK AT ITS WORST. THE FIRST STAGE IS YOU DON'T HAVE IT. THE SECOND STAGE IS YOU STILL DON'T KNOW YOU HAVE IT, BUT YOU DO. THE THIRD STAGE IS YOU HAVE IT, MAYBE, BUT A THIRD OF THOSE DIAGNOSED WILL RECOVER BY THEMSELVES, A THIRD WILL BECOME NO WORSE, AND A THIRD WILL MOVE TO STAGE FOUR?
tHESE AREN'T MEANINGFUL NOR USEFUL DISTINCTIONS. JUST MORE ATTEMPTS TO CONVINCE FOLKS SOME ONE KNOWS MORE ABOUT DEMENTIA THAN THEY DO.
rICHARD
why are you angry ? i think this information is helpful .
He does not sound angry to me. I felt the same way about steps 1-3.
Steps 1 & 2 were not needed., Info is very helpful. just should have started at step 3.
Dementia is a frightening illness with no cure. Expressing frustrations is OK. No-one has all the answers. Lists help some people. My husband has developed it over the past 2 years. No joke. 24/7 care-giving is commitment to looking after a loved one who sometimes knows something is wrong 'with their brain'. Frustrations occur on both sides. Every bit of information can be assessed for its usefulness in the situation, each one unique. Give your Caree the best quality of life you can … its not their fault, and no-one knows why it happens.
I agree with him. How can you count 'normal' as a step? Truthfully, Step 1 is Step 3 on this list.
Be Careful. If there were a cure out there, someone would be rich and famous! We would know about it.
Not sure staying awake more or talking more is a desired result in Stage 6
i agree , at this stage i dont think much will help them .its so sad .
Exactly!!! I just had to take one of my anxiety pills my dr put me on because of him!!! The last 2 days have been nonstop yelling at me and I've had it!!!
He's in his 7th year.
needs a calming pill , such as seroquel can do wonders ,we gave him a 25mg twice a day (-till we found a doctor that understood his problem) only then did he calm down
Turmeric in pill form (2-3 a day) may help to slow this disease down as much or more then any drug as well as Coconut oil. My dad is in the last stages of Alzheimer's and we have given him Turmeric in pill form and noticed a difference of staying awake for longer periods of time as well as talking more.
i have heard tumeric does help. i have family already using it .
May I know if tumeric helps to improve the quality of sleep on advance stage dementia patient? My mum has serious sleep disruption problem especially at night.
Grams was diagnosed almost three years ago after forgetting to take her daily meds but getting "stuck" on taking her anxiety meds, 5-9 of them a day. She had a bells palsy incident that kicked it off about 5 months before and refused to go to the doctor after telling everyone she did. She has been living with me ever since. She has limited math skills, sundowners is common but not always, hygiene is limited…bathroom issues are always there and now we are entered the realm of paranoia and thinking she is dying daily. She remembers people and can maintain a phone conversation for the most part. Very moody and depressed and shifts blame all the time and swears nothing is wrong with her. She refuses to leave the house but does wander around the house occasionally. Has her days and nights mixed up most of the time sleeps all day and drinks caffeinated coffee at night…even tho we have gotten her the decaf. Swears food is bad all the time even when it was just bought!
switch without telling her. both of my parents had this. I did a lot of lying.
My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's/dementia back here in October. I came back to Illinois from Minnesota to take care of her. I have twin daughters who have been staying with her also. I was told to get out and my sibling says I have to get out also and I was the only one taking care of her no one else was. So now she is by herself and she needs 24 hr care. Her health is dwindling.
Never wandered, never forgot people from recent or long ago past (but did mix up names), can't remember what he had for dinner but can play 21 as well as any of us. Has retained all basic math functions, decreased personal hygiene skills, increased desire to sleep, reduced awareness of recent events but still can handle a full phone conversation with me every evening with every word correct, mildly incontinent, no confusion, no agitation but no really recent memory. Remembers everything about every town he used to live in up to 2 years ago. I have both parents with alzheimer's & they are as different as snowflakes. My dad's dementia has not changed in over a year. The same impairments as a year ago but my mom went from 0 – almost dead in a year & a half. They are all so different. It makes me wonder if it is the brain & which sections are affected or what it is. At least my dad is with it enough to still have a high quality of life.
i am sorry , i just have my mother with it . between stage 6 and 7 . one thing i really noticed about my mom , her eyes changed from green to bright blue .
My dad had Alzheimer's and was like your mother. He went downhill very quickly. I think of that as a blessing. When he forgot how to swallow, that did him in. Mom has dementia now. I'm afraid hers is going to drag out. She can't remember the house she lived in for 35 years. I don't think she knows our names, but I think she knows the relationships. She has been living with us for 3 years now. Recently, she told me she had forgotten how to put her incontinence pads onto her underwear. (I let her do as much as she can for herself) Sometimes she forgets what she's supposed to do with her medications. (put them in her mouth and swallow them) I am the primary caregiver (no siblings) and it really gets depressing. Fortunately, my husband is VERY understanding and helps me get out of the house from time to time.
My mom has Alzheimer's/dementia. So does 2 of her sisters (my aunts). My grandmother passed away from the same symptoms. It's crazy. It makes me wonder if I will have the same fate. I've been her care giver since 2011. Her decline has been steady and progressive each year. She is now primarily at stage 6 with a few hints of stage 5 lingering. She shuffles so bad she's practically standing still when she walks. She's had some depression. It's harder on me because she knows what's happening to her and cries saying this isn't how her life is supposed to be. She falls asleep while eating now and also forgets how to take her pills. She has a tendancy to place her glass in her plate while she's eating, or will place her fork or bones in the plate next to her. She's recent'y begun wearing depends as day to day underwear because she very rarely will get up and go to the bathroom, or say she has to go… for assistance. It's tough finding encouraging words for her. I hug her and tell her I love you daily.
To Dorothy: Have both your parents been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or just dementia? There are several kinds of dementia. Both my parents had/have dementia. My mother's was not Alzheimer's, my Dad's is "probably Alzheimer's type". My mother passed away within 2 years of her diagnosis. My father is still alive (89-1/2) 8 years after his diagnosis and is still able to carry on conversations. His short term memory of course is affected. I believe Aricept and Namenda have staved off quicker progression of his symptoms. These meds do not help other types of dementia, so our neurologist tells us. That may be the reason your parents' symptoms are taking different paths. We were fortunate to have a specialist in "Memory Loss and Dementia" who has given us excellent advice. If you have one, even if it is not in your town, I urge you to seek one out. It has helped us understand what is happening at each stage, what to do, and what to expect.
Where do you live that you have a specialist in memory loss and dementia? I'm not happy with my husband's Neuro.
Interesting. Dad was given a clinical definition of moderately severe alzheimer's over a year ago. However, from reading this list he is somewhere around 4 or 5. Oddly though he's got about one symptom from each of the different steps & none of the other symptoms from other steps.
That's how my dad is now
My husband has Alzheimer's and I am his caregiver. He has had it since he was 64 and now is 71. I am a retired and disabled nurse. His care varies from day to day. He does not walk much now and uses a wheelchair. He is almost totally incontinent. I fully dress him and change him. I am now having a lot of problems with sundowners with him. Seems like everything I have tried does not work. He was in the hospital over Christmas with a large blood clot in his lung. Very scarey moments.
My dad also has a couple of symptoms from each stage. He also talks like someone is in front of him – until he notices me looking at him.
Once a person reaches stage 6 and them 7 how long is the average life expectancy?
I think everyone should get their parent checked for Lyme disease because Chris Kristopherson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and had it for years till his friend who is a doctor had him tested for Lyme disease. He got his memory back and he's back working again. It's worth a shot to check it out.
For more on Lyme disease, Alzheimer's and what happened to Mr. Kristopherson, check out the article and video at:
Alzheimer's Misdiagnosis # 5: Lyme Disease
We take care of my husband's uncle nobody didn't wont the responsibility so we said we would handle it. He has symptoms from each stage also an we have began the sundowning stage he will sit fidgeting until we lock the house down he thinks someone is going to get him no matter how much we to tell him he is safe it doesn't matter he wants all lights off except his night light he will try to go to bed by 5:00 in the evening. An it does get alittle frustrating. What I just don't get is when he goes to restroom he won't flush the paper in toilet it goes in trash can. An he hoards paper towels *when there is plenty* we find them everywhere an he just recently started pulling the poop ones out of can an wiping face we had to hide everything an lock it all up. Towels,toilet paper,bread everything!
Thank you for sharing I thought I was the only one experiencing things like this with my boyfriend's family