Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer Disease

As a caregiver the more that you understand about the stages of Alzheimer Disease the better care you can provide for your patient or family member.  During the early stages of Alzheimer Disease most people will be able to lead lives that are productive and full.  As the disease progresses from one stage to another more symptoms will start to become evident to the patient and to those people around the patient.  These changes can not be controlled by the patient or by you, the caregiver. 

Damage has been done to the brain which can’t be reversed or repaired.  Over an undetermined period of time the patient’s dementia will become worse and this means that you’ll have to adapt the care that you provide to each changing condition.  Every Alzheimer patient will experience different symptoms during the different stages of the disease.

Alzheimer Disease will typically affect adults who are over the age of sixty although there are many instances where younger people have been affected.  There are four stages of the disease:  the first stage, the middle stage, the later stage, and the final stage.  During the first stage of Alzheimer Disease the symptoms will be mild and often difficult to detect.  Some of the typical things to look for include disorientation, forgetfulness, and mood changes that are unexplained.  Some people will lose interest in activities that they once enjoyed and they may start so spend more time on their own.

During the middle stage of Alzheimer Disease there will be more incidences of memory problems.  Some people will start to show some difficulty with their language skills.  Making decisions will become difficult, in particular decisions that require logic.  Sleep problems may also start to appear, with the patient sleeping less and less hours.  Most patients will require 24 hour supervision so that they don’t wander off and get lost.

The later stage of Alzheimer Disease will show an increasing severity in the above symptoms.  Patients often start to confuse the present with the past.  They may forget the names and faces of the people closest to them.  This memory loss extends to places and events. 

Patients in this stage of the disease will be totally dependent on you as their caregiver and will need help with even the most routine of activities.  Many patients will be confined to their bed and will stop talking altogether because they no longer have language skills.

The final stages of Alzheimer Disease can be very devastating.  Other medical conditions can set in, which can make Alzheimer Disease even more difficult to manage.  The final stage of this disease often results in the death of the patient.