Alzheimer’s Disease affects each patient different but it is a progressive disease with multiple stages – undetectable, very mild cognitive impairment, mild decline dementia, moderate decline, moderately severe decline, severe dementia, and very severe dementia
Dr. Barry Reisberg of New York University, breaks the progression of Alzheimer’s disease into seven stages. His framework for understanding the progression of the disease has been adopted and used by a number of healthcare providers, as well as the Alzheimer’s Association.
Explanation of the seven stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Stage 1: No Impairment
Alzheimer’s is not detectable and no symptoms are evident.
Stage 2: Very Mild Decline
The senior may notice minor memory problems or lose things around the house. At this stage, the disease is unlikely to be detected by loved ones or physicians.
Stage 3: Mild Decline
At this stage, the family members and friends of the senior may begin to notice cognitive problems.
Performances on memory tests are affected and physicians will be able to detect impaired cognitive function.
People in stage 3 will have difficulty in many areas including:
- Finding the right word
- Organizing and planning
- Remembering names
- Lose things especially valuables
Stage 4: Moderate Decline
In stage four of Alzheimer’s, clear-cut symptoms of the disease are apparent. People with stage four of Alzheimer’s:
- Have difficulty with simple math
- Have poor short-term memory
- Inability to manage finances
- May forget details about their life
Stage 5: Moderately Severe Decline
The person begins to need help with many day-to-day activities.
- Have difficulty dressing
- Forget simple details
- Confused
On the other hand, people in stage five maintain functionality.
- They typically can still bathe and toilet independently.
- They also usually still know their family members and other details.
Stage 6: Severe Decline
People with the sixth stage of Alzheimer’s need constant supervision and frequently require professional care. Symptoms include:
- Confusion or unawareness of environment and surroundings
- Inability to recognize faces except for the closest friends and relatives
- Inability to remember most details
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Major personality changes and potential behavior problems
- The need for assistance with activities of daily living such as toileting and bathing
- Wandering
Stage 7: Very Severe Decline
This is the final stage of Alzheimer’s. Because the disease is a terminal illness, people in stage seven are nearing death.
- In this stage, people lose the ability to communicate or respond to their environment.
- While they may still be able to utter words and phrases, they have no insight into their condition and need assistance with all activities of daily living.
- In the final stages of Alzheimer’s, people may lose their ability to swallow.
In Summary
As a loved one progresses through the stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, it is often very difficult for family members. It can break their heart the first time the patient forgets the names of people they have known for years.
As difficult as it can be for family members, realize how frustrating it can be for the person with the disease. Often, they become agitated or irritated because they can’t remember how to do a simple task.
Patience is required and often a family caregiver gets burned out because it is exhausting and disheartening to watch the decline in a loved one.
Professional caregivers and support groups can ease the stress for family members.
Loved ones also need to understand that it’s the disease that has changed the person. They need to find ways to accept and reconcile themselves to the changes that have taken place.
Love, kindness, and respect for the person with Alzheimer’s Disease should always be part of the caring process.