What to Expect in Each Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease

Caregivers in East Brunswick NJ

Alzheimer’s disease occurs in three stages, each one causing the elder’s health to get progressively worse than the one before it. The good news is that it can take years before the elder’s health significantly deteriorates, causing them to need around-the-clock care from caregivers. On the other hand, there is no cure to this disease. The only thing that can be done is to visit with their doctor and find out what treatment options are available to slow down the progression of this disease.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, here are the three stages to be aware of.

Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

This is the earliest stage of Alzheimer’s disease and the less worrisome one of the three. The senior should still be able to live a somewhat independent life with very minimal assistance. Driving and socializing are still activities seniors in this early stage are still able to participate in. While the elder will be able to still function well, those who are closest to the elder will begin to notice changes, like:

• Difficulty finding the right word or name in conversations
• Problems remembering the names of people they were just introduced to
• Increased difficulty performing regular tasks, including in social settings
• Frequently losing or misplacing valuable items
• Increased trouble making plans or organization skills
• Forgetting information they just read

Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease

This is the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease and the longest, lasting for several years. The elder may have more trouble caring for themselves and will need to be cared for by a home care provider. Other things to expect in this stage are:

• Forgetting their own personal history and events
• Becoming increasingly withdrawn from social events and moody
• Trouble remembering their own address or phone number
• Confusion over the time, day, and location they are currently at
• Trouble with sleep, possibly being more awake at night and sleepy during the day
• Changes in their personality and behavior
• Difficult controlling their bladder and bowel movements
• Increasingly becoming lost or wandering

Severe Alzheimer’s Disease

This is the late-stage of this disease and will require around-the-clock care from caregivers in order to keep the elder safe and to prevent them from wandering. Other symptoms include:

• Unaware of recent experiences and their surroundings
• Increased changes in their physical abilities, such as swallowing, sitting, and walking
• Prone to infections, such as pneumonia
• Increased trouble communicating
• Needs constant help with personal care tasks and other responsibilities

Source:
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in East Brunswick, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care of New Brunswick today. Call (732) 607-8870.