Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means it worsens over time. While each senior with Alzheimer’s has a different experience, there are three basic stages in Alzheimer’s progression. Here are the stages of Alzheimer’s and the symptoms associated with each of them.
Early-Stage Alzheimer’s
During early-stage Alzheimer’s, or mild Alzheimer’s, seniors may still be able to live on their own. While some seniors begin to notice the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms don’t usually preclude standard activities such as driving and interacting with friends. Often, memory lapses are the first sign something is wrong.
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Symptoms of Early-Stage Alzheimer’s
There are several symptoms associated with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Seniors may have difficulty recalling memories, finding the right words, or remembering names. Aging adults in the early stage of Alzheimer’s may find complex tasks more difficult than usual. Organizing and planning activities and performing multistep processes may also become challenging.
Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s
When seniors enter middle-stage Alzheimer’s, the condition starts to take a greater toll on everyday life. The middle stage typically lasts the longest. Many seniors live with middle-stage Alzheimer’s for years before the disease progresses to the last stage. During the middle stage, seniors typically remember details about their personal histories, but they may face difficulty handling daily tasks. Seniors in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s may no longer be capable of living independently.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Edmonton Home Care Assistance provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our proprietary Cognitive Therapeutics Method was designed to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives.
Symptoms of Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s
As the disease begins to impact the brain, communication is affected. Seniors may face difficulty expressing their feelings, become emotionally volatile, and exhibit their frustration via aggression or compulsive behaviors. During the middle stage, memory issues worsen, and seniors may forget details ranging from their addresses to what colleges they attended. They may also experience persistent confusion and express doubts about the date and the time. The sense of confusion often extends to their navigational abilities, and they may become disoriented in familiar spaces or wander.
Late-Stage Alzheimer’s
Late-stage Alzheimer’s is characterized by increasingly poor cognitive skills. During this period, seniors may not be aware of their environments and cannot perform daily tasks on their own.
Symptoms of Late-Stage Alzheimer’s
When seniors enter the last stage of Alzheimer’s, the disease affects all aspects of their health. The ability to speak and communicate may be limited, and emotions could become erratic and irrational. Some physical changes are also likely to take place. Seniors with late-stage Alzheimer’s may find it difficult to walk, sit up independently, and perform tasks that require motor coordination. The final stage of the disease also compromises immune health, putting seniors at greater risk for contracting diseases like pneumonia.
Caring for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely challenging. Families looking for top-rated Edmonton homecare providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. To learn about our revolutionary in-home care plans, call us at (780) 490-7337 today.