The Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s

It is a scary time when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. The uncertainty surrounding the condition adds to the stress for families. While every person’s journey with Alzheimer’s is unique, understanding its seven stages can help you navigate the path ahead. At Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne, we believe that knowledge is empowering. That’s why we’ve prepared this guide outlining the seven stages of Alzheimer’s Disease along with practical advice to support you and your loved ones.

Understanding each stage of Alzheimer’s can help you prepare for what’s ahead and provide the right care at the right time.

Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline

This is the stage where the person has good cognitive function and no memory issues, there has been no diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or any other dementia conditions. However, as we get older, the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia increases. This is the time to get any advanced directive or power of attorney paperwork in place. Putting this paperwork in place allows you to understand your loved one’s wishes and how they would like to be cared for if they cannot make decisions themselves. There are also steps your loved one can take to maintain good cognitive health, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and maintaining mental stimulation.

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline

This is when the early stages of Alzheimer’s start to appear. A person may have trouble forgetting where their keys are, difficulty finding words, and challenges at work. At this stage, symptoms may not be evident to other people.  People are still functioning at a high level at this stage.

It is important to note that occasional forgetfulness is normal and not necessarily an indicator of the onset of Alzheimer’s. Other health issues, such as being stressed or unwell, can also affect cognitive function.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline

This stage generally lasts two to four years in people with Alzheimer’s. During this stage, a person becomes increasingly forgetful and has difficulty concentrating and organising themselves. They may get lost easily and have trouble finding words.

This is the stage where issues become noticeable to family and friends. It is important to have a complete neurological evaluation done. This way, if a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is made, you can plan accordingly.

Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline

Moderate cognitive decline typically lasts around two years, though the progression varies from person to person, influenced by factors such as lifestyle, other health conditions, and stress levels. During this stage, daily activities become increasingly difficult to manage. Common symptoms include trouble managing finances, forgetting recent events (despite good recall of the past), difficulty completing tasks, withdrawing from social activities, and occasionally denying the presence of these issues.

At this point, it’s important to consider taking control of financial matters, encouraging social interaction as tolerated, offering assistance with tasks, or hiring a caregiver to help with cooking and organization. Introducing a Care Professional to provide care at home at this stage is recommended, as caregiving responsibilities will likely increase over time.

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline

Daily activities such as cooking, eating, dressing, and personal hygiene become difficult at this stage. Disorientation due to time and date confusion becomes more common. Remembering simple things like address and date of birth is challenging, and learning new things can be frustrating. During this time, a person can also show emotional changes and exhibit signs of hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions.

At this stage, a higher level of home care is usually required. Keeping stress levels down and being looked after is essential for staying healthy.

Stage 6: Severe Symptoms Requiring Significant Daily Support

During this stage, activities such as dressing, bathing, remembering to use and actually going to the bathroom, all require support. It can be helpful to ensure safety measures have been installed in the home, such as grab bars, toilet risers, and shower chairs. You may need to minimise falls by removing trip hazards like rugs and converting a shower/bath into a walk-in shower. Also, consider using motion-detection lighting to help your loved one stay oriented if they get up during the night.

Stage 7: Late-Stage Dementia

This is the final stage of Alzheimer’s. During this time, you can expect:

• Stage 7a – Language is restricted to using a few words daily.
  Your loved one may not talk much during this time, but you can still talk to them. Use simple language. Also, ensure your communication helps them stay calm and feel cared for.
• Stage 7b – One-word communication is expected at this stage.
  During this stage, it is important to observe your loved one’s body language for signs of pain and distress, as they may be unable to communicate these things to you.
• Stage 7c – Difficulty walking and transferring.
  Moving around by themselves may be hazardous during this stage. Someone must always be available to assist them. Mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs can be helpful during this time. If your loved one becomes bedbound, ensuring they are in different positions can help them avoid bed sores.
• Stage 7d – Sitting up may not be possible without assistance.
  During this stage, an electric bed can be useful because it provides a safe way to sit up for eating, drinking, and other care activities.
• Stage 7e – Very little emotion is expressed.
  People often retreat at the end of life and do not exhibit emotion. This is normal. Focus on ensuring the person is comfortable and limiting stimuli.
• Stage 7f – The person cannot lift their head
  Being quietly present during this stage can comfort and convey compassion to your loved one. Even if they cannot communicate, having family around can be reassuring during this final stage.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be quite daunting, especially during the later stages. Remember to care for your own wellbeing by taking breaks, seeking support, and leaning on resources available from specialist providers like Home Care Asssistance South East Melbourne. Organisations like Dementia Australia can also provide information and support to help you manage during this time.

At Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne, we offer specialized support to enhance the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families. Our professional care team is trained to provide compassionate, tailored care at every stage of the journey. Contact us today to learn how we can support your loved one and your family.