People with Alzheimer’s disease can be better supported if we understand their condition and the stages through which it progresses.
In the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the person may have no signs. Photo: Shutterstock
To describe the evolution of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, specialists use the Reisberg scale or global deterioration scale. This tool has 7 stages, the first ones being the easiest, up to the advanced ones.
Stage 1: Behavior seems normal
Alzheimer’s usually begins “silently,” with brain changes that begin years before anyone notices a problem. When the person in question is in this early phase they will not have any symptoms that you can notice. Only a brain scan, an imaging test that shows how the brain works, can show the presence of the disease.
Stage 2: Vaguely noticeable changes
There may not be anything wrong with your loved one’s behavior, but there may still be small differences that even a doctor doesn’t notice. This could include forgetting words or mishandling objects.
At this stage, the subtle symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease do not interfere with the ability to work or live independently. However, these symptoms may not be specific to the disease, but simply normal changes of aging.
Stage 3: Slight decline
At this moment, changes begin in the loved one’s thinking and reasoning, such as: he forgets something he just read, asks the same question over and over again, has more and more difficulty making plans or organizing, does not remember names. He may have problems with, for example, paying bills on time.
Stage 4: Moderate decline
During this period, problems with thinking and reasoning become more apparent and new problems arise. They might forget: details about themselves, the date and year we are in, recognizing money, the season, trouble cooking meals or even ordering from a menu, using the phone, understanding language, multi-step tasks and how to clean the house.
Stage 5: Moderate – severe decline
At this stage, the person may no longer know what time it is, their address, phone number, or where they went to school. She might be confused about what kind of clothes to wear depending on the temperature and the season.
Stage 6: Severe decline
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the affected person may recognize faces but forget names. It could also confuse one person with another. Delusions may occur, such as believing that they have to go to work even though they are no longer working, or that they have to go to the bathroom.
At this stage, many people with Alzheimer’s love listening to music, being read to, or looking at old photos.
At this stage, the affected person may have difficulty: feeding, swallowing, dressing, may lose weight, may have skin infections, pneumonia, walking problems, and sleep changes.
See also: These vision changes can be signs of dementia!
Stage 7: Very severe decline
Many basic skills of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, such as eating, walking, and standing, fade during this time. In the last stage, many people can no longer tell when they are thirsty, for example, and need a lot of help from caregivers. This is when facilities such as nursing homes that provide professional day and night care, or home care services are needed.
In the last stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the affected person may experience urinary incontinence and weight loss.
See also: The early symptom of dementia that you can notice when you shower
2024-01-15 07:28:46
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