If you are dealing with a loved one that has Alzheimer’s disease, it can be very frustrating for both of you. It is important that families understand the disease and the stages of Alzheimer’s that patients go through. Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that affects the brain and causes people to lose memory and the control over other cognitive processes as well. There are many stages involved and it is important that you understand them so you can help you loved one through the stages and cope with what is happening to them. The more you understand, the better you will be able to deal with the situation.
The first stage of Alzheimer’s disease shows no signs of memory loss or any other related problems. Usually, in the first stage, people are acting just like themselves and appear to have all their mental abilities intact. As people go on into stage two, they may develop incidents of forgetfulness, but, many times, this is attributed to their age. It is usually not until the third stage of Alzheimer’s disease that a diagnosis is made. During this stage, you may start noticing that a family member is having problems remembering simple things and they may have problems finding where they placed various items.
The fourth stage of Alzheimer’s disease is usually known as the early stages of Alzheimer’s. At this point, patients may not realize what is going on in the world, they may lose some math abilities and may not even remember important events in their own lives. Stage five is known as the moderate stage of the disease and more decline in mental abilities becomes apparent at this stage. At this stage, patients often do not remember where they live or their telephone numbers and often forget what day or year it is.
As patients progress into stage six and seven of the disease, more drastic things become noticeable. Usually, these patients will need help clothing themselves and may need help with most personal care. Often, they forget the names of even the closest relatives and may even start wandering around, forgetting where they are. In the latest stages of the disease, people may lose the ability to talk and become totally incontinent and may even lose their ability to walk. It is important to become familiar with the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease so you can help you family member. This disease can be very frustrating for family as well as for the patient, so knowing what to expect can help alleviate the level of frustration.
alzheimers, alzheimers disease
Tags: alzheimers, alzheimers disease