Alzheimer's Stages
Alzheimer’s Disease has three stages. Signs and symptoms become more severe with each stage and eventually death occurs.
- Stage 1
Individuals in Stage 1 can generally manage their daily activities themselves, but they may require some assistance with organization.Traits common to Stage 1 are:- loss of memory;
- problems finding the right words;
- problems exercising good judgment;
- problems making good decisions;
- becoming lost in familiar places;
- problems carrying out multi-task activities;
- feeling sad, depressed, & anxious;
- avoiding social interactions;
- problems remembering appointments, names or recent events; and
- misplacing items.
- Stage 2
Individuals in Stage 2 may have more problems taking care of themselves, but they can still be involved in their daily care and follow a routine.Traits common to Stage 2 are- some assistance needed with their activities of daily living ;
- becoming restless, especially during the evening hours;
- loss of memory increases – they may not know family or friends;
- failure to recognize dangers and differentiate between hot and cold;
- becoming angry or easily upset;
- need to be reminded to eat;
- having trouble expressing self and understanding others;
- some bowel and bladder incontinence; and,
- loss of impulse control (e.g. uses foul language, poor table manners, sexually aggressive)
- Stage 3
Individuals in Stage 3 usually require complete assistance with daily care.Traits common to Stage 3 are:- unable to communicate – may grunt or scream;
- does not recognize self or family members;
- touching or patting things continuously;
- sleeping more often;
- disoriented to person, place and time;
- cannot sit or walk – becomes confined to bed;
- total bowel and urinary incontinence;
- unable to swallow;
- may have seizures;
- coma; and,
- death.
