Understanding The Stages of Dementia

Dementia is a disease that causes memory loss and deterioration in other mental functions. It occurs due to physical changes in the brain and it is a progressive disease, meaning it will get worse with time. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which affects 60-80% of cases. For some, the disease might progress faster than others depending on the underlying cause of dementia. The stages of dementia may be experienced differently by each individual, but most people with dementia will experience some similar symptoms. Understanding the stage your loved one is in will help you gain a better understanding of their symptoms and help you determine the best level of care they needed.

Stages of Dementia Include:

1. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

MCI is a condition that affects older people. It is mostly characterized by losing things often, forgetfulness and having trouble coming up with words. This actually can progress to Alzheimer’s disease in some cases.

2. Mild Dementia

Mild dementia entails memory lapses that may affect the daily routine of your parents or loved one. They may still be able to function independently with the symptoms. Here are a few more symptoms to look out for:

• Memory loss of recent events.

• Personal changes, such as withdrawing from others or is easily subdued.

• Getting lost or misplacing objects.

• Difficulty with problem solving and complex solving for instance managing finances.

• Trouble organizing or expressing thoughts.

3. Moderate Dementia

People at this stage will likely need more assistance in their everyday life. As dementia progresses, it gets harder to perform daily task that regularly would have been easy. Even self-care becomes difficult. Other symptoms are:

• Increasing confusion or poor judgment.

• Greater memory loss, including a loss of events in the more distant past.

• Needing assistance with tasks, such as getting dressed, bathing, and grooming.

• Significant personality and behavior changes, often caused by agitation and unfounded suspicion.

• Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and feeling restless at night.

4. Severe Dementia

At this point, the disease has severely affected the mental state of the patient. Their physical capabilities are worsening as the symptoms increase. Severe dementia can cause:

• Loss of ability to communicate.

• Needs full time daily assistance with tasks such as dressing or eating.

• Loss of physical capabilities such as walking, sitting, holding the head up and eventually swallowing food, bladder and bowel functions.

• Increased vulnerability to other diseases such as pneumonia.

People generally progress through these stages at different speeds and with different symptoms. If your loved one is experiencing these symptoms, please seek medical advice from a doctor. Early diagnosis can help you and your parents plan for the near future. While no cure is available for dementia, patients may choose to participate in clinical trials that assist researchers in finding a cure for the disease.

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease/Dementia, please visit www.alz.org.