The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease can last for more than a decade. It’s important to know what to expect across each stage of the disease’s progression. The stages of Alzheimer’s are this:

Preclinical Alzheimer’s disease

This is the stage where Alzheimer’s starts, but no symptoms are noticed. This stage occurs mostly in research settings. You won’t notice the symptoms and no one else will either. This stage can last for years or decades. Imaging tests can be run that look for amyloid-beta protein deposits, which are a hallmark of the disease. Patients at this stage are typically not noticed.

Mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease

Patients at this stage have mild changes to their memory and thinking ability that are not significant enough to work or relationships yet. They may have memory lapses for easily remembered information, such as conversations, recent events, or appointments.

It’s important to note that not everything is due to Alzheimer’s. This requires a thorough medical review, review of the symptoms, and the professional judgment of a physician.

Mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is usually found in this stage. It’s because, at this stage, a patient can have significant trouble with memory and thinking that impacts daily functioning and life. People in this stage, patients may experience:

• Memory loss of recent events.
• Difficulty with problem-solving, complex tasks, and sound judgments.
• Personality changes.
• Difficulty organizing and expressing thoughts.
• Getting lost.
• Misplacing belongings.

Moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

Patients at this stage need more help with daily activities and self-care. At this stage, patients may experience:

• Increasingly poor judgment and deepening confusion.
• Even greater memory loss.
• Help with some daily activities.
• Significant changes in personality and behavior.

Patients at this stage usually develop unfounded suspicions, such as friends, family or professional caregivers are stealing from them or that a spouse is having an affair. Other may grow restless or agitated, especially late in the day, or have outbursts of aggressive behavior.

Severe dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

In this late stage of the disease, mental function continues to decline and has an impact on movement and physical capabilities. Patients at this stage may experience:

• Loss of ability to communicate coherently – no longer able to converse or make sense.
• Daily assistance with personal care – eating, dressing, using the bathroom, and all other daily self-care activities.
• Decline in physical abilities. Walk without assistance, unable to sit or hold up their head without support. Rigid muscles and reflexes are abnormal. Eventually losing the ability to swallow, and control their bladder and bowel functions.

Conclusion

The rate of these stages varies widely. On average, people live three to 11 years after diagnosis. But people can live 20 years or more. Physical issues, including hypertension, are associated with a faster rate of progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Pneumonia is a common cause of death due to issues with swallowing problems such as dysphagia. Dehydration, malnutrition, falls, and other infections.

It’s important as a caregiver to understand the stages of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, so you understand your role and what might be next.