Understanding the 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: What You Need to Know
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and thinking skills, leading to poor communication, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. It affects millions of people worldwide, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. This disease can last for years and can have a severe impact on the quality of life of both patients and their families. Therefore, it is essential to understand the seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease to provide proper care and support.
Stage 1 – No Impairment:
In the first stage of the disease, symptoms are not apparent. Therefore, it is challenging to diagnose. However, researchers claim that beta-amyloid plaques start to accumulate in the brain during this stage, causing mild cognitive decline.
Stage 2 – Very Mild Cognitive Decline:
At this stage, the individual may experience minor memory lapses such as forgetting where they placed their keys or glasses and could be dismissed as insignificant. Nonetheless, these lapses can be surprising and out of the ordinary, demonstrating a definite decline in cognitive ability.
Stage 3 – Mild Cognitive Decline:
Memory issues, difficulty concentrating, and losing a train of thought become more frequent during Stage 3. At this point, clinical evidence required for diagnosis becomes recognizable. The individual may also experience difficulties with completing familiar tasks or organizing their day.
Stage 4 – Moderate Cognitive Decline:
At this stage, Alzheimer’s sufferers will have definite difficulty with simple mathematical calculations such as counting money. An individual’s ability to work decreases, and they may lose their ability to begin or complete a multi-step task.
Stage 5 – Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline:
During Stage 5, patients demonstrate significant confusion and could start wandering off and becoming lost. The individual may also struggle with dressing and cleaning. At this stage, supervision becomes essential to ensure the patient’s safety.
Stage 6 – Severe Cognitive Decline:
The disease has significantly deteriorated at this stage, with patients experiencing incontinence and losing their ability to perform self-care tasks such as brushing their teeth or bathing themselves. Communication becomes erratic and could only include specific phrases.
Stage 7 – Very Severe Cognitive Decline:
In the final stage of the disease, patients lose their ability to have conversations, respond to the environment around them, and may be bedridden. Basic function such as swallowing and controlling their bladder may also be lost requiring around the clock care.
In conclusion, understanding the seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease is critical in providing appropriate care and support for those affected. Family caregivers should learn the early signs of the disease to help manage it effectively. It is also essential to seek medical attention, observe a healthy lifestyle, and take advantage of social supports and respite care that can help in managing the burden caregiver needs. Remember, caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming, but with proper understanding and support, it can be bearable.
