Understanding The Stages Of Alzheimer Disease

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.