Alzheimer’s Seven Stages of Development

1. During the first stage, there is no impairment, and symptoms of dementia are nonexistent. There are no lab, cognitivie or imaging tests that can diagnose the disease in this stage. Promising genetic testing is providing clues into genetic markers and predispositions for detecting, and thereby preventing some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. The earliest indications of Alzheimer’s can mimic normal changes, such as the onset of slight cognitive decline.

3. Mild decline in mental abilities include trouble recalling words or names, forgetting the order of tasks and difficulty making lists and planning activities.

4. Moderate cognitive difficulties may include forgetfulness of personal history and recent events, difficulty completing tasks like making grocery lists or trouble with mathematical computations such as calculating a restaurant tip.

5. Moderately severe patients may experience difficulties recalling their address or hometown, selecting weather-appropriate clothing, or having difficulty with simple mathematical calculations such as counting backwards by two from 20.

6. Severe mental decline may cause memory loss of familiar faces, difficulty remembering the names of loved ones and a general loss of bodily functions. Some patients need help using the toilet, experience behavioral and mood changes, and may wander or become lost.

7. Extremely severe Alzheimer’s symptoms consist of the total loss of a person’s ability to conduct a conversation, react to the environment or adequately control movements. Muscles may harden, reflexes may not respond or may over respond to stimuli, and swallowing may bcome impaired.

Early Signs to Help you Identify the Presence and/or Progress of Alzheimer’s Disease

* Memory loss that interferes with normal daily activities and becomes more frequent. For example, important dates and events are forgotten and there is an increased reliance on others for help to remember.

* Trouble with conversations.

* Stopping mid-sentence and completely losing the thread of the conversation.

* Calling itmes by the wrong name or forgetting the right word.

* Problem-solving difficulty, such as balancing a checkbook or following a familiar recipe.

* Difficulty with everday tasks, such as remembering how to drive to a familiar location.

* Confusion about where the individual is and how they arrived there.

* Difficulty with spatial relationships and understanding color and contrast.

* Losing track of where things have been placed, assuming that things have been stolen from you.

* Poor judgement which leaves individuals more susceptible to scams.

* Inability to complete or participate in a favorite hobby.

* Lack of attention to grooming and cleanliness.

* Withdrawal from social activities and work.

* Mood and personality changes such as fear, anxiety and suspiciousness.