When a Loved One Has Alzheimer’s: Understanding the Stages

No matter how long you may have suspected that a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, nothing can prepare you for the actual diagnosis of the disease. It is overwhelming. So it is important to know that you have resources available to help guide you as you take this journey with your loved one.

You can begin by arming yourself with accurate information to help you understand how the disease progresses and the challenges associated with each step of the progression. Because, even though your loved one may have only recently been diagnosed with the disease, the reality is that he or she has been in the “pre-clinical” phase of Alzheimer’s for some period of time, possibly even for years.

Following this pre-clinical phase, your loved one will enter the first of three stages of Alzheimer’s disease; early, middle and late. Below are descriptions of each, courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Early Stage

At this stage your loved one is probably still functioning independently and may still be partaking in social activities. He or she may be noticing more memory lapses, however, such as forgetting familiar words or where everyday items are kept. Here are some signs of early stage Alzheimer’s disease:

 

• Difficulty finding the right word or name
• Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people
• Challenges performing tasks in social or work settings
• Forgetting information one has just read
• Losing or misplacing a valuable object
• Increased trouble planning and/or organizing

Middle Stage

This is typically the longest stage of the disease, often lasting for many years. It is at this stage that your loved one will begin to need a greater level of care. Here are some signs of middle stage Alzheimer’s disease:

 

• Forgetting key events in one’s own personal history
• Acting moody and withdrawn, particularly in social or challenging situations
• Unable to recall their own address or phone number
• Forgetting the high school or college they attended
• Confusion about the date and time
• Require help selecting appropriate attire for season or occasion
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Sleep pattern changes, with restlessness at night
• Wandering and becoming lost
• Personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness and compulsive, repetitive changes, such as hand-wringing or tissue shredding

Late Stage

The final stage of the disease involves the loss of the ability to respond to one’s environment. Your loved one will longer be able to carry on a conversation. Even movement will become difficult. Here are signs of late stage Alzheimer’s disease:

 

• Requires round-the-clock assistance with daily activities and personal care
• Lose awareness of recent experiences and surroundings
• Experiences changes in physical abilities, including the ability to walk, sit and ultimately swallow
• Has increasing difficulty communicating
• Becomes vulnerable to infections, particularly pneumonia

Of course, you should consider these stages and symptoms as a guide. No two individuals are the same, nor will they exhibit the exact same patterns of behavior.

As the disease progresses, it is important to take steps to develop a strong support network around you and your family. You will also want to reach out to professional memory care providers for guidance and insight into how to manage the increasing challenges of caring for your loved one. Our Anthem Memory Care communities have professionals who are ready to answer your questions and provide you with the resources you need. We understand and we’re here to help.