I’ve heard so many different theories regarding the number of different stages that can be experienced throughout the duration of Alzheimer’s disease. Some experts have concluded that there are as many as 15 different stages, but on the average, I hear most declare that there are seven categories.
Personally, I believe it’s best to break it down to only three stages: mild, moderate and severe.
The last thing the patient or caregiver needs to be worrying about is, ‘Are they are now advancing into the eleventh or twelfth stage of the disease?’ Please relax and realize that these “stages” were only set up as general guidelines to keep caregivers and patients informed as to what to expect next.
First of all the rate of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease varies immensely. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms or advance at the same rate. Some will only live a short six years while others may survive up to twenty or more!
The following are some of the symptoms of the disease as broken down into three stages.
Mild Stage:
• Short term memory loss.
• Difficulty with problem solving.
• Change in personality.
• Difficulty in expressing thoughts.
• Losing or misplacing things.
Moderate Stage:
• Increasingly poor judgement.
• Advanced confusion.
• Increased memory loss.
• Assistance needed for daily activities.
• Significant changes in personality and behavior.
Severe Stage:
• Losing the ability to communicate.
• Needs daily assistance with daily care.
• Loss of motor skills.
In a seven-stage arrangement you can almost delete the first two stages since such minimal impairment is listed. The three-stage formula has less confusion which is something every caregiver needs.
The main reason I think it is important to know what stage your afflicted one is enduring is so that you, the caregiver, will have some kind of idea of what is coming next. This way you can make plans for the future without being too caught off guard.