The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease When Using the Seven Phase Model
Note: This is an older article and as always things change. It’s now more common just to use three stages. Still, there is merit to looking at more nuances, so I continue to reference this model as well.
The only certainty when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is that a senior’s condition will progressively worsen. The National Alzheimer’s Association has developed a very useful staging system to use as a frame of reference when coping with AD.
Alzheimer’s disease constantly keeps doctors, family members and caregivers on their toes. It is instinctive for humans to want a road map or some sort of guide to help get us through a journey or a difficult situation. We strive to know what lies ahead to help ensure that we are adequately prepared. Following a serious medical diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it is only natural to explore the subject with some research. What can we expect and when can we expect it?
Keep in mind that the following staging system is not foolproof, but it can give caregivers a general idea of where their aging loved one falls along the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum. Seniors with Alzheimer’s are not guaranteed to follow these stages in a direct line. No matter how much we would like to know exactly what stage someone is in and what symptoms will develop next, we cannot. No two Alzheimer’s patients are exactly the same. To make matters even more complex, a patient’s symptoms often vary from day to day. Today, a loved one may seem like they are in stage five, and tomorrow their behaviors and symptoms may align more closely with stage four or stage six. The 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s…
Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. “For anyone having to walk the last segments of life with a loved one, read this.” …Delores
Discover the Difference. EGOSAN: The premium incontinence brand caregivers love – Now Available on Amazon.
………………………
