Alzheimer’s can appear anytime between the ages of thirty and sixty. It is believed that approximately, five percent of those over sixty five to seventy-four and up to half of people eighty-five and older will be affected. Generally, the earlier the age of onset, the faster the disease will progress. Alzheimer’s may start as early as thirty years before symptoms appear that are recognizable. The earlier the disease is detected, the earlier treatment can begin that will assist the person with the disease in coping with it. Alzheimer’s symptoms can vary and overlap the different stages.
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Alzheimer’s Stages

The symptoms in the basic three Alzheimer’s stages may overlap or may appear at different times. They may vary in severity and appear in a different stage than listed, but generally the stages listed here are representative of the typical progression of the disease. The prognosis is terminal, but the number of years a person may live can depend on their overall health, environment and supplementary treatment. Though there are good medications that assist with some of the symptoms, the brain continues to deteriorate. The average person lives ten to twenty years after diagnosis. At this time there is no known cure. Alzheimer’s Stages

Stage One

This is generally a time of slowing down. Energy levels tend to decline and a person may be less inclined to do things spontaneously. There is some memory loss, but it may not be obvious to others initially. The person will take longer to learn new tasks, possibly having problems if working when they are required to take on new projects or are placed in a different position. They may be slow to react to situations and have trouble making decisions. Their normal social behavior may change. They may avoid hosting family gatherings such as holidays even though they may have enjoyed this responsibility in the past. They have trouble organizing events and activities. They may avoid going out and tend to isolate. This will increase over time. They begin to exercise poor judgment about life choices and finances. They may forget to pay bills and may spend money without keeping track of it. They tend to become moody and depressed or even respond to frustrations with angry outbursts.

Conversations can be confusing with the person having lapses in the middle of talking, repeating themselves or asking the same question they asked only a short time before.

It is not unusual for a person to get lost, even in familiar places. Because of the confusion they experience, they may restrict outings to only the most necessary errands.

They may begin losing common items on a regular basis, putting them in odd places where they don’t belong, like a plant in the refrigerator. They tend to have trouble keeping track of appointments, and forget important dates and events.

The changes the person experiences in thinking and feeling make coping with life increasingly difficult.

This stage may last as long as four years, but the progression can be faster for some individuals.

Advancement of Alzheimer’s StagesAdvancement of Alzheimer’s Stages

Knowing what is to come can give individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their family’s time and opportunity to prepare for the difficulties that will begin to require increasing amounts of attention. Physical changes accompany the deterioration of the mind and contribute to the difficulties in caring for the person. The average cost of an assisted living facility is $36000. or more. Nursing homes cost twice that much. Without long term care health insurance, the financial burden can be devastating. If able, the family may choose to care for the person at home, but supplemental care to relieve the burden and changes to the physical environment may be necessary.

Stage Two

The symptoms of the onset stage become more pronounced and more obvious to others during this second more progressive stage. Memory losses increase, there are apparent difficulties with speech and language. Conversations with the person don’t make sense at times and they become obviously confused. They may use different names for objects as if inventing a new language.

They begin to have trouble with taking directions, not remembering what they were told. They may ask for the instructions to be repeated yet still not understand.

Driving becomes dangerous for them and others as they become progressively disoriented, unable to relate to time or place. This is one of the most difficult times for the individual as they realize they are losing control, freedom.

They may not remember the month, day or even year in which they are living.

Although they may still be able to perform simple tasks, activities such as cooking may need to be monitored as they may leave food cooking and forget it or forget to turn burners off.

They increasingly get lost when they go out and may wander without any sense of where they are, possibly going “home” to the wrong house if they had moved in the last few years.

They may become paranoid, fearful and delusional, accusing family of stealing, or insisting things have been stolen. They may become afraid of a family member and not recognize familiar people.

They may get agitated in the afternoons or during stimulating circumstances such as family gatherings. They may begin to get up at night and need supervision so they don’t go out or start cooking.

They may lose the ability to care for themselves, dress inappropriately, and may become incontinent. This stage can last ten to twelve years.

 
 
 

Alzheimer’s Seven Stages

Initially there were seven stages cited for the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but now generally there are three considered as many symptoms overlap the various stages and may not be distinct to one category. This framework was developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D. of the Aging and Dementia Center at the New York University School of Medicine.Alzheimer’s Seven Stages

Stage 1 No obvious impairment
Stage 2 Very mild decline
Stage 3 Mild decline
Stage 4 Moderate decline
Stage 5 Moderately severe decline
Stage 6 Severe decline
Stage 7 Very severe decline

The Three Basic Alzheimer’s Stages

These are stated in simple form in relationship to the changes in the brain that occur as the disease progresses.

Stage 1 Earliest Alzheimer’s – changes may begin 20 or more years before diagnosis
Learning and memory
Thinking and planning

Stage 2 Mild to moderate Alzheimer’s- generally lasts from 2-10 years Speech and understanding speech
Sense of where your body is in relationship to objects around you
Confusion from increased learning and memory problems
Trouble recognizing family, friends, places

Stage 3 Severe Alzheimer’s- may last 2-5 years or longer
Loss of ability to communicate/Loss of ability to care for self

Alzheimer's final third Stage

During this final stage the person is likely to require 24 hour supervision and care. They will need assistance with all life tasks including bathing, toileting, eating, hydration, medication and exercise of their joints and muscles. This is one of the most difficult times for families as the individual does not recognize them when they visit or may mistake them for someone else. They may feel as though they have lost the person they knew, yet the person is still alive. As this stage progresses, they will become bedridden. The person becomes less and less responsive until finally their life ends. They become increasingly susceptible to infection and often it is an illness such as pneumonia to which they succumb.  Alzheimer's final third Stage

Stage Three

At this stage there is a marked change as the person becomes substantially dysfunctional. They become unable to perform basic life skills, forgetting to eat or drink. As a result, they can become dehydrated and may lose up to 30 percent of their body weight.

They choke easily on food or liquid and may not react to, see or recognize food on a plate. If there is no contrast between the color of the plate and the food, such as cauliflower or mashed potatoes on a white plate, they will not discern it. As their eyesight weakens they may have one side that is weaker than the other and for that reason may not see food on one side of the plate. As this stage progresses food may have to be ground or pureed in order for them to consume it and they will have to be carefully spoon fed.

They may spend long periods simply sitting looking at nothing with a dazed look on their face and not respond to normal stimuli.

With the deterioration of the hypothalamus they begin to experience an inability to sense temperatures and are often cold all the time regardless of the temperature of the room or the heavy layers of clothes they may be wearing. They can lose their sense of thirst or hunger.

They have little or no sense of their surroundings and no longer engage in activities.

Both short term and long term memory are lost and they may lose the ability to speak, though they may cry out when uncomfortable or frightened or say only simple words or phrases.

They often lose their balance and eventually become unable to walk. Eventually they become bedridden until they die.