How To Recognize The 7 Stages Of Alzheimer's Disease

If someone you love has been diagnosed withconfused by a lack of understanding of what's going
Alzheimer's disease, then you've probably alreadyon in their life and in the world generally.
begun to experience the devastation that thisStage V is defined by cognitive processes that are
condition wreaks upon the lives of sufferers and theirrecognized as having a moderately severe decline.
families. It's a degenerative mental disorder, whichThe ability to reason properly has often disappeared,
leaves the patient frustrated and confused aboutand the patient will generally have large gaps in their
simple things like recognizing a family member. Let'smemory. If you ask them their name or address,
take a look at the progression of Alzheimer's, so thatthey may well have forgotten such crucial
you can recognize the stages in your loved one andinformation. Common sense is another thing that
be prepared for what's to come.begins to disappear, so they will dress in summer
Alzheimer's progresses through seven recognizedclothing even though it's snowing outside. This is
stages, beginning with Stage I and moving through tobecause of their severely reduced capability for
the most severe manifestation of the disease inreason.
Stage VII. For many people, they don't even knowThe patient's personality is often markedly different
they're experiencing Stage I, it can be so minor.by the time they reach Stage VI of Alzheimer's
Generally the person doesn't notice any mentaldisease. This is often one of the hardest stages to
decline, and can usually pass any of the cognitivedeal with, because the patient may still be at home
tests usually employed to determine if Alzheimer's isand yet have forgotten everything about what's
present. In Stage II, some of the early aspects ofhappened to them or where they are. Often they
memory loss begin to appear. Generally, though, thiscan't dress themselves or perform ordinary everyday
only manifests as a slight level of forgetfulness, andactivities, and sometimes incontinence develops. The
sometimes it takes the person longer to think of thepatient regularly forgets the names of their loved
right phrase or word. Sometimes friends and familyones, but generally still show signs of recognition
may joke about the small hesitations, but don'twhen they see familiar faces. It's also the stage at
necessarily connect them with Alzheimer's.which patients tend to wander off, because they
By Stage III, loved ones usually do start to noticedon't know where they are or why. By this stage it's
that the patient is having a lot more troubleoften necessary for the patient to receive either
concentrating and remembering things. Often thetemporary or permanent care outside the home.
patient will forget the names of people they've onlyStage VII is the final stage of Alzheimer's disease,
just met, and a decline in their performance at workand it is the most disabling for the patient. Muscle
is often observed. They may struggle to retainfunctions decrease, to the point where they may not
information straight after reading it. They lose theirbe able to move, struggling to sit down without help.
planning ability, and often start losing personalThey may struggle to speak properly, and lose the
possessions. Clinically, Stage III is usually the first timeability to control themselves.
Alzheimer's can be diagnosed with some certainty.Alzheimer's is truly a terrible disease, and it can be
In Stage IV, the patient's ability to think and reasonheartbreaking to watch someone you love progress
properly has clearly become inconsistent. Thinkingthrough the various stages without any signs of
exercises that should be simpler are found to beimprovement. However it's important to understand
extremely difficult, and sometimes chunks of theirhow if will affect your loved one, so that you can be
past disappear from their memory. Often, patientsaware of important changes and support your loved
start to become withdrawn, as they becomeone through them all.