Stage : Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline
Stage five marks the beginning of moderate dementia. Memory deficiencies are now becoming severe, and people often require assistance with daily living activities. An individual may start to need help with dressing and preparing meals. Some loved ones may choose to limit their assistance so that the individual still feels some degree of independence. For example, a loved one may lay out the individuals clothes for the day, but allow them to dress independently.
If the individual was previously living independently at home, this would have to change. At this stage, the person requires monitoring and can no longer live alone. If a person in stage five doesnt get the support they need from loved ones or hired help, they often develop behavioral problems such as anger and suspiciousness.
Some of the common symptoms in stage five are:
- Forgetting important information, such as a home address and phone number
- Difficulty identifying where they are or what time of day it is
- Forgetting significant life details, such as where they went to school
- Inability to remember significant current-day information, such as the name of the President
- Confusion about picking appropriate types of clothing for the season
- Repeating the same question
- Difficulty with simple arithmetic, such as counting down from 20 by twos
- Wearing the same clothes every day unless theyre reminded to change
Stage five typically lasts 1.5 years.
Using The Gds To Measure Dementia Progression
As the disease progresses, different signs and symptoms will become increasingly obvious. While there are several scales to measure the progression of dementia, the most common scale is the Global Deterioration Scale for Assessment of Primary Degenerative Dementia . The scale is also known as the Reisberg Scale. According to the GDS, there are seven different stages of Alzheimers disease correlating with four distinct categories: no Alzheimers, mild Alzheimers , moderate Alzheimers , and severe Alzheimers .
Are There Ways To Avoid Alzheimers Disease
Many pharmaceutical companies are working on a cure for Alzheimers. While there is no approved medicine yet, there are ways to reduce the risk of getting this disease.
For one, cardiovascular diseases are commonly linked to AD. Therefore, keeping yourself in tip-top shape is important.
What are the things you need to consider to improve your cardiovascular health to help avoid this disease?
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Regular health checkups
Besides having great cardiovascular health, which can also reduce the chance of stroke or heart attack, keeping your social and mental health up can help a lot.
Reduce the chance of developing Alzheimers disease or dementia by:
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Learn to play musical instruments
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Taking up sports
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Maintain an active social life
Manage the mental behavior and function to slow the symptoms down if there are any signs.
Knowing the seven stages of Alzheimers disease is important especially for people who are entering their forties. It is also a way to take care of yourself, a relative or friend who might be suffering from this disease.
Are there other illnesses you want us to discuss?
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Stage : Normal Outward Behavior No Dementiaquality Of Life: No Impact
You wont notice any changes with your loved one.
How You Can Help:
If you and your loved one are concerned about dementia, start to plan now. Use our tools to help your loved one document his or her values and priorities about the type of care wanted during the various stages of dementia. You can also watch for new signs that you may not have seen before.
Stage : Mild Alzheimers
Stage three in Alzheimers progression is typically when friends and loved ones will begin noticing a persons cognitive problems. It is also when doctors may diagnose someone with Alzheimers disease, as their performance on memory testing starts to be affected. People in stage three begin to experience difficulty in more parts of their daily lives, as a result of increased forgetfulness and decreased attention for completing everyday tasks such as cleaning and paying bills. Individuals in this stage will often have trouble remembering and retaining information, and may struggle to find the right words in conversation. They may have difficulty in organizing and planning, and may also begin to experience more day-to-day mood swings and lapses in judgement.
Common Difficulties of Mild Dementia due to Alzheimers:
- Difficulty remembering new information
- Misplacing and losing objects, including personal valuables
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Stage : Very Mild Changes
You still might not notice anything amiss in your loved one’s behavior, but they may be picking up on small differences, things that even a doctor doesn’t catch. This could include forgetting words or misplacing objects.
At this stage, subtle symptoms of Alzheimer’s don’t interfere with their ability to work or live independently.
Keep in mind that these symptoms might not be Alzheimer’s at all, but simply normal changes from aging.
Stage : Very Mild Cognitive Decline
In stage two, the individual starts to experience some very mild forgetfulness thats common with the persons age demographic. Incidents of memory loss or confusion are common in almost half the population of adults aged 65 and older. Loved ones may start to notice these small changes, but its often such a mild decline that a doctor wont identify it as Alzheimers symptoms. The symptoms at this stage are dismissed as the normal cognitive decline that comes with aging.
At this stage, the person may start to notice that they:
- Cant recall names as well as they could 5-10 years ago
- Cant remember where they placed things earlier
- Have trouble concentrating
- Have difficulty finding the correct word when speaking
- Are unable to master new skills at work or at home
In stage two, the symptoms are not severe enough to impact an individuals ability to work or live independently. If a person were to take a memory test at this stage, they would still perform well.
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Why Is Dementia Progressive
Dementia is not a single condition. It is caused by different physical diseases of the brain, for example Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia, DLB and FTD.
In the early stage of all types of dementia only a small part of the brain is damaged. In this stage, a person has fewer symptoms as only the abilities that depend on the damaged part of the brain are affected. These early symptoms are usually relatively minor. This is why mild dementia is used as an alternative term for the early stage.
Each type of dementia affects a different area of the brain in the early stages. This is why symptoms vary between the different types. For example, memory loss is common in early-stage Alzheimers but is very uncommon in early-stage FTD.
As dementia progresses into the middle and later stages, the symptoms of the different dementia types tend to become more similar. This is because more of the brain is affected as dementia progresses.
Over time, the disease causing the dementia spreads to other parts of the brain. This leads to more symptoms because more of the brain is unable to work properly. At the same time, already-damaged areas of the brain become even more affected, causing symptoms the person already has to get worse.
Eventually most parts of the brain are badly damaged by the disease. This causes major changes in all aspects of memory, thinking, language, emotions and behaviour, as well as physical problems.
Moderate Alzheimers Middle Stage:
Early symptoms worsen in the middle stage of the disease. A person may forget important events in their life, become moody, or get confused about where they are. As a result, they may get lost in familiar areas. Behavioral changes are also common. A person may become suspicious or start repeating behaviors like hand wringing. The middle stage can last for years, and the person will need higher levels of care as the disease progresses.
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Stage : Moderately Severe Cognitive Declinemoderate Dementia
In this stage, deficits are of sufficient magnitude as to prevent catastrophe-free, independent community survival. The characteristic functional change in this stage is early deficits in basic activities of daily life. This is manifest in a decrement in the ability to choose the proper clothing to wear for the weather conditions or for everyday circumstances. Some persons with Alzheimers disease begin to wear the same clothing day after day unless reminded to change. The mean duration of this stage is 1.5 years.
The person with Alzheimers disease can no longer manage on their own. There is generally someone who is assisting in providing adequate and proper food, as well as assuring that the rent and utilities are paid and the finances are taken care of. For those who are not properly supervised, predatory strangers may become a problem. Very common reactions for persons at this stage who are not given adequate support are behavioral problems such as anger and suspiciousness.
Cognitively, persons at this stage frequently cannot recall major events and aspects of their current life such as the name of the current head of state, the weather conditions of the day, or their correct current address. Characteristically, some of these important aspects of current life are recalled, but not others. Also, the information is loosely held, so, for example, the person with moderate Alzheimers disease may recall their correct address on certain occasions, but not others.
Dementia Stage : Mild Cognitive Decline
When memory and cognitive problems become more regular, as well as noticeable to caregivers and family members, a person is said to be suffering from mild cognitive decline, which is also known as mild cognitive impairment . Stage 3 dementia doesnt generally have a major impact on day-to-day functioning.
How quickly does this dementia stage progress in the elderly? Eight in 10 people with MCI will go on to develop Alzheimers disease within seven years, according to the National Institute on Aging. Since MCI often precedes more severe dementia stages, its important to recognize the signs of this stage and seek medical advice.
Stage 3 dementia symptoms:
- Forgetting to go to appointments or events
- Losing things and minor memory loss
- Getting lost while traveling
- Difficulty finding the right words
- Verbal repetition
- Challenges with organization and concentration
- Trouble with complex tasks and problem-solving
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Stage : Severe Cognitive Decline
Stage six is also sometimes referred to as middle dementia. At this stage, an individual needs substantial assistance to carry out simple day-to-day activities, and completing tasks becomes much more difficult.
Additionally, stage six is the start of significant personality changes. The person may start to suffer from anxiety, agitation and delusions. For example, they may think they have to get ready for work, even if they havent held a job for several years.
Some of the common symptoms in stage six are:
- Difficulty remembering recent events
- Remembering faces but forgetting the names of close family members and friends
- Confusing individuals, such as thinking their wife is their mother
- Retaining little memory of their earlier lives
- Difficulty with cognitive skills, such as counting backward from 10
- Incontinence of the bowel or bladder
- Diminished speaking ability
- Problems putting on clothes properly
- Requiring help with bathing and maintaining personal hygiene
- Tendency to wander if left unsupervised
On average, stage six lasts 2.5 years.
Facts About Alzheimer Disease
Alzheimer disease is becoming more common as the general population gets older and lives longer. Alzheimer disease usually affects people older than 65. A small number of people have early-onset Alzheimer disease, which starts when they are in their 30s or 40s.
People live for an average of 8 years after their symptoms appear. But the disease can progress quickly in some people and slowly in others. Some people live as long as 20 years with the disease.
No one knows what causes Alzheimer disease. Genes, environment, lifestyle, and overall health may all play a role.
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Stage : Moderately Severe Decline
Your loved one might start to lose track of where they are and what time it is. They might have trouble remembering their address, phone number, or where they went to school. They could get confused about what kind of clothes to wear for the day or season.
You can help by laying out their clothing in the morning. It can help them dress by themselves and keep a sense of independence.
If they repeat the same question, answer with an even, reassuring voice. They might be asking the question less to get an answer and more to just know you’re there.
Even if your loved one can’t remember facts and details, they might still be able to tell a story. Invite them to use their imagination at those times.
Dementia Stage : Very Mild Cognitive Decline
Stage 2 dementia includes simple memory mistakes like a loved one wondering Where did I put my keys? or, What was that persons name?
A significant amount of the senior population experiences age-related forgetfulness, and caregivers or medical providers may not even notice such mild impairment. This explains why stage 2 is also known as age-associated memory impairment on the GDS.
About 40% of people aged 65 or older have age-associated memory impairment in the United States, about 16 million people, said Professor Gary W. Small in research published by the British Medical Association. Only about 1% of them will progress to dementia each year.
Stage 2 dementia symptoms:
- Losing track of familiar objects
- Inability to recall names of friends, family members, and former acquaintances
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Dementia Stages: How Fast Dementia Progresses Stages Of Dementia And More
Dementia is a progressive impairment of cognitive function caused by damage to the brain. Over time, a person with dementia will have increased difficulty with memory, understanding, communication, and reasoning.
Healthcare providers frequently speak about a persons dementia in terms of stages. This can be helpful for communicating with family or other healthcare providers regarding the persons illness, and it is important for determining an appropriate care plan.
How Fast Does Dementia Progress?
It is important to note that dementia progresses at different speeds for every person, and for different types of dementia. The most well-known form of dementia, Alzheimers disease, is just one specific type of dementia, and tends to have the slowest progression of all types. Some factors that affect the rate of progression include:
- Repeated infections
What are the Stages of Dementia?
There are a few different systems used to grade dementia — at the most basic there is early, moderate, and end. Many providers use the system developed by Dr. Barry Reisberg of New York University which includes 7 stages. The Reisberg scale is also known as the GDS or Global Deterioration Scale for Assessment of Primary Degenerative Dementia. This scale focuses primarily on cognitive abilities.
Dementia Stages in the Reisberg Scale
Dementia Stages in the FAST Scale
Dementia Stages in the CDR Scale
Stage : Moderate Dementia Moderately Severe Decline
The fifth stage of Alzheimer’s disease is known as moderate dementia. Clinical evaluation and interviews in these cases are able to root out memory and cognitive deficits. Those in this stage of Alzheimer’s disease may have:3
- Trouble remembering important aspects of their life, such as their address, the names of close friends or family members, or the name of their hometown and schools
- Difficulty identifying the current date, day of the week, or season
- The inability to count down from 20 by twos or fours
- Difficulty getting dressed by themselves
Some people in this stage may retain long-term memories of major life events or the names of their spouse and children. Motor tasks such as using the restroom or eating independently may also come with ease.
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What Are The Seven Stages Of Dementia
Health care providers use a comprehensive tool to assess the seven stages of dementia in elderly patients: the Global Deterioration Scale. Also known as the GDS, this trusted method enables caregivers and health professionals to determine how quickly dementia progresses in elderly patients and which symptoms to expect during each of the seven stages of dementia. A dementia stages chart can help caregivers track and monitor their loved ones health status against stage-related symptoms.
The seven stages of dementia are:
- Stage 1: No cognitive impairment
- Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline
- Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline
- Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline
- Stage 5: Moderately severe cognitive decline
- Stage 6: Severe cognitive decline
- Stage 7: Very severe cognitive decline
What Are Specific Care Needs At Each Stage
An individual may not require care assistance after the initial diagnosis of dementia, but that will change as the disease progresses and symptoms become worse. There are about 16 million unpaid caregivers of people with dementia in the United States. While many caregivers are providing daily help for family members, they also hire someone to help. There are many options of care assistance, such as in-home care, adult day care, and nursing home care. There is also financial assistance available.
Early Stage DementiaAs mentioned above, in the early stage of dementia a person can function rather independently and requires little care assistance. Simple reminders of appointments and names of people may be needed. Caregivers can also assist with coping strategies to help loved ones remain as independent as possible, such as writing out a daily to-do list and a schedule for taking medications. Safety should always be considered, and if any tasks cannot be performed safely alone, supervision and assistance should be provided. During this period of dementia, its a good idea for caregivers and loved ones to discuss the future. For example, a long-term care plan should be made and financial and legal matters put in place.
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