Below is a list of the disease's various stages of development. If you or a
loved one develops this disease, for which there is no cure, you will know what
to expect as time passes. These various stages indicate just how far along the
disease is and many times doctors will use a particular stage in their
diagnosis.
Stage one of Alzheimer's disease is an average adult with no cognitive or any
other noticeable impairments.
Stage two of Alzheimer's disease shows some individual understanding of
functional regression. During this period, adults complain about forgetting the
names of people they know or where they put their keys.
Stage three of Alzheimer's disease shows some soft regression, especially in
intense situations such as work. Anxiety increases causing even more noticeable
problems such as trying to come up with words while talking or writing,
short-term memory becomes hazy or even getting lost when traveling to unknown
places. Misplacing items is common and problems in concentration affect many
areas of life.
Stage four of Alzheimer's disease is still relatively mild and a person still
easily recognizes the familiar such as close family and friends. They can still
travel without anxiety to places they know. However, their reasoning skills and
areas where in-depth planning is required take some assistance. Planning a
special dinner and paying the bills are just two of many different small
problems that creep up. This is one of the biggest denial periods because no
one wants to believe that Alzheimer's disease is becoming a problem.
Stage five of Alzheimer's shows a medium descent into the disease. People
afflicted now cannot live without assistance. Dressing, cooking and other every
day activities require help from loved ones. There is some disorientation in
regards to time issues. They may remember memories of family and close friends
but they forget new acquaintances, what they had for dinner and even some
important things about their lives now. Their minds are in the past.
Stage six of Alzheimer's is rather extreme with a rapid decline in memory and
where they are. People in this stage can no longer fend for themselves in any
way and will need help going to the bathroom, dressing, making something to eat
and even feeding itself. Sleep is a problem as is wandering around feeling
lost. Emotional and personality changes may happen and in some people wild mood
swings as present in dementia may manifest itself.
The final stage of Alzheimer's disease, the ability of speech is almost gone
and people will rarely talk. All ability to sit up, smile, walk or even holding
up their head is gone. In this last stage, the brain cannot seem to tell the
body what to do and can take a while to die.
Many adults are lucky and don't have to experience Alzheimer's disease.
However, this primer gives you an idea of what you should expect if you or
someone you love is diagnosed with the disease. Author
Resource:- Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural,
a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit.
You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more
information on Healthy
Retirement.
Article Source: DesireToRetire.com
