7 stages of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's syndrome gets worse over time. Medical professionals use the term "stage" to describe the extent to which a patient's cognitive capacity declines as Alzheimer's syndrome progresses. The following seven-stage structure was developed by a Doctor of Medicine in New York.

When your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, they won't have any detectable symptoms. Only a PET scan, an imaging test that shows brain activity, can reveal whether a person has Alzheimer's disease.
As they move into the next 6 stages, people with Alzheimer's disease will increasingly show changes in thinking and reasoning.

You may not have noticed anything unusual in a patient's behavior yet, but they do have small differences that even doctors don't catch. For example, forgetting words to say or misplacing objects.
At this stage, the "subtle" symptoms of Alzheimer's do not affect the person's ability to work or live independently. Remember that memory loss may also not be a symptom of early Alzheimer's disease, but rather normal changes due to aging.

At this point you begin to notice changes in the thinking and reasoning of your loved one, such as:
Forgetting what you just read Asking the same question over and over again It becomes increasingly difficult to formulate a plan or organization Can't remember names when meeting new people Unproductive work Loss or misplace valuables You can help by being a "memory" of the patient, reminding them to pay bills applications and arrive to appointments on time. You can also ask the person with the illness to reduce stress by taking time off work, helping with their legal and financial arrangements.

During this stage, the problems in thinking and reasoning that you noticed in stage 3 become clearer, and new problems also arise. The sick person may:
Forget details about themselves Have difficulty putting the correct date and amount on the bill Forget the month or season of the year Have trouble cooking meals, not even being able to order from the menu Unable to perform calculations that require thinking Show apathy and indifference You can help the sick person with daily chores and try to keep them safe, such as by not letting the sick person drive or being taken advantage of financially by someone.

The person may start not knowing where they are and what time it is. They may have trouble remembering the address, phone number, or school they attended.
Patients also feel confused when choosing clothes to wear during the day or to wear them to suit the weather or events. You can help the sick person by getting their clothes ready in the morning. This will help them dress themselves and keep a sense of independence.
If the patient keeps repeating the same question, patiently answer in a calm, reassuring voice. If they get a full answer instead of ignoring and silence, they can ask less. Sometimes the sick person just asks to know that you are still there.
Even if your loved one cannot remember facts and details, they can still tell a story using imagination.

As Alzheimer's disease progresses, your loved one may recognize faces but forget names. They may also confuse one person with another, such as thinking that their wife is their mother. Delusions may arise, such as the person thinking that it is necessary to go to work even if the job is no longer available. Their personalities change dramatically, as well as being easy to wander and get lost.
You may need to help the sick person go to the bathroom, because talking is difficult, but can still connect with the sick person through the senses. Many people with Alzheimer's enjoy listening to music, reading, or looking at old photographs.

Many basic abilities of a person with Alzheimer's disease will fade during this stage, such as eating, walking, and walking. You can continue to provide support by giving your loved one soft, easy-to-swallow foods, helping them use a spoon, and making sure they drink enough fluids. This is important, as many people with late-stage Alzheimer's don't even feel thirsty anymore.
The stages of Alzheimer's are not always well-defined and symptoms can vary. However, referencing the progression of the disease can help you better plan for the care of a friend or loved one with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease often progresses in many different stages, so when you notice that the patient has the initial signs, you need to bring your loved one to see a doctor for timely intervention. Early treatment always brings good results and reduces treatment costs.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a team of highly qualified doctors, applying advanced diagnostic methods: CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan with modern equipment and machinery to help bring the most accurate results for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

Reference source: webmd.com