{"id":6745,"date":"2015-09-13T12:55:30","date_gmt":"2015-09-13T17:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=6745"},"modified":"2020-10-13T18:08:36","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T23:08:36","slug":"what-are-the-stages-of-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2015\/09\/what-are-the-stages-of-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the Stages of Dementia?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are the Stages of Dementia?\"What<\/h1>\n

As if the gradual deterioration of our bodies wasn\u2019t bad enough, for many seniors aging also includes the arguably more harrowing experience of an ailing mind. When your loved one starts to move from occasionally losing their keys (like we all do) into more serious memory and cognitive issues, it can often be hard to identify the line between everyday forgetfulness and an illness. <\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing dementia when it\u2019s occurring is important. If you know your loved one is suffering from dementia, you can gain a better idea of what to expect in the days to come and how to handle it in a way that\u2019s best for your loved one and the rest of your family.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Dementia?<\/h2>\n

Dementia isn\u2019t a clearly defined illness so much as it\u2019s a collection of symptoms. Identifying many of those symptoms can eventually lead to a diagnosis of one of the illnesses that falls under the umbrella term of dementia \u2013 Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong> is the most common, but Huntington\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> and Parkinson\u2019s<\/strong> disease also fall under the same category. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are the Stages of Dementia?<\/h2>\n

Creating categories to help track the different stages of dementia enables caregivers and health care providers to better understand when a person crosses the line from normal memory and cognitive issues and into the territory where they need extra help. <\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 1: Everything\u2019s fine<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The first stage of dementia is when there\u2019s no impairment at all. Doctors opted to start the scale at the level of normal brain health, in order to have a standard for comparison once getting into the other stages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 2: Very mild<\/b><\/h3>\n

Very mild dementia includes symptoms like having a hard time remembering names or remembering where you left your keys. This stage is common \u2013 many seniors \u00a0(and many non-seniors) experience minor memory problems. Usually this stage doesn\u2019t require any need for concern or point to a likely diagnosis of a serious cognitive illness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 3: Mild<\/b><\/h3>\n

This is the stage where things start to get a little more serious. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is when those previously minor issues with memory and thinking start to affect your loved one\u2019s daily life (although moderately). If they start to have more trouble getting work done, solving problems, or remembering everyday things, they may have moved into stage 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 4: Moderate <\/b><\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s where things start to get bad enough that you should consider if an <\/span>Alzheimer\u2019s diagnosis<\/a><\/strong> or treatment may be in order. At this stage, a senior may experience moodiness or begin to seem antisocial. They\u2019ll have trouble with everyday tasks and often be unresponsive. Often at this stage, a senior will insist that nothing\u2019s wrong and deny that any symptoms are happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 5: Moderately Severe<\/b><\/h3>\n

When things reach this point, you\u2019ll often find that caregiving from a loved one won\u2019t cut it anymore and you need to seek a memory care facility<\/a><\/strong>. Your loved one is likely to need help with basic daily tasks like getting dressed and bathing and they\u2019ll suffer from regular confusion, forgetfulness, and difficulty with focus and problem solving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 6: Severe<\/b><\/h3>\n

At this point, a caregiver is needed for most tasks of daily life \u2013 getting dressed, bathing, eating, using the bathroom, and potentially getting from place to place. The same memory and mental problems from the earlier stages will still be present, but seniors will also experience personality changes, delusions, and may have trouble recognizing loved ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 7: Very Severe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When your loved one reaches this point, care will become even more challenging. They may lose the ability to communicate some of the time (although sometimes seniors with severe dementia will have occasional days of lucidity), they\u2019ll need help with all types of day-to-day care, and they may lose the ability to walk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Experiencing one of the early stages of dementia doesn\u2019t mean your loved one will necessarily go on to stage 7; it works differently for different people. If you can put a name to what\u2019s happening and gain a better understanding of how to treat and handle it, you\u2019ll make taking care of a loved one with dementia much easier on yourself. If you find your loved one moving into any of the stages beyond stage 2, it\u2019s worth talking to your doctor about it to learn more. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What are the Stages of Dementia? As if the gradual deterioration of our bodies wasn\u2019t bad enough, for many seniors aging also includes the arguably more harrowing experience of an ailing mind. 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