Alzheimer’s is a frightening diagnosis. Worse is that doctors don’t often tell you much about how bad it is. You’re left to figure it out on your own. You might get the MMSE scores, but they don’t always give the most accurate picture.
The Alzheimer’s Association breaks things down into three stages: early, middle, and late. That still only generalizes things. What support groups tend to use is the Global Deterioration Scale for Assessment of Primary Degenerative Dementia. This scale was created by Dr. Barry Reisberg.
Early Stages of Alzheimer’s
The earliest stages of dementia tend to be stage 1, 2, and 3. You might notice some forgetfulness, but it’s nothing alarming. It’s hard to even think of it as more than the standard misplaced glasses or forgetting someone’s name when you bump into them. By stage 3, doctors often diagnose it as a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) rather than Alzheimer’s.
Middle Stages of Alzheimer’s
Stage 4 is when dementia is really starting to become noticeable. Your parent may forget bits and pieces of his or her life. They may forget routine tasks at work that start to affect job performance. At this point, the memory issues are noticeable, but your parent is still okay living alone.
At stage 5, doctors start recommending that your parent is not left alone all day. Your mom or dad will likely forget to take medications. Someone in the fifth stage often forgets the home phone number and address. They still go to the bathroom and shower alone, but clothing choices become problematic. Someone in stage 5 may put on jeans and a heavy sweater on a hot, humid summer’s day.
Stage 6 presents as a severe cognitive decline. Recent events are a fog, and you may find your mom or dad forgetting your name from time to time. It’s unlikely that your parent will be about to count backward from 10. Incontinence, sundowning, and anxiety are common. You may find your mom or dad cleaning obsessively and becoming easily agitated.
Late Stage of Alzheimer’s
Stage 7 is the final stage of Alzheimer’s. At this point, language goes. It’s uncommon for someone in the seventh stage to speak more than grunts or odd sounds. Incontinence is a major issue.
When your parent reaches this stage, you’ll be helping them on and off the toilet and helping clean up after them. Many Alzheimer’s patients end up in adult diapers at this point. Eating independently is also an issue. Caregivers are needed to feed a person in the seventh stage.
From the fifth stage on, elderly care services are needed. Make sure you have arranged to have help. If you don’t, you could burn out. Your relationships may suffer as you will have no time for a spouse, significant other, children, or friends without having someone relieve you.
Discuss respite care services with a local elderly care agency. Call now.
For more information about hiring Elder Care in Coronado, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
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