Did You Know? 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
Denver real estate professional Donna Foerster has provided some important information on Alzheimer's Disease. You may wish to share this blog with family and friends.
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Did You Know? 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
As a volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association, I continue to learn more and more about the disease. I believe it is often misunderstood. Many believe it's something that only affects older adults and that it is strictly about memory loss.
I was first impacted by Alzheimer's when my grandmother has it more than 15 years ago. She was in Florida and I was in Colorado and I felt helpless. That's when I began volunteering to raise awareness about the disease and the resources available to persons and families living with the disease and to raise monies to fight it!
The 7 stages listed here are based on a system developed by Barry Reisber, M.D., clinical director of the New York University School of Medicine's Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center. The information shared here is a synopsis. For more details, please follow this link to the Alzheimer's Assocation website. Please also keep in mind, not everyone will have the same experiences and these are simply "guidelines" for what might be noticeable as someone progresses through the disease.
Stage 1: No impairment (normal function)
No obvious symptoms
Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease
May have memory lapses, forgets familiar words or location of everyday objects
No obvious symptoms of dementia
Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (early-stage Alzheimer's can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals)
Noticeable problems with the right word or name
Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people
Greater difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings
Losing/misplacing a valueable object
Increasing trouble with planning/organizing
Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer's disease)
Forgetfulness of recent events
Greater difficulty performing complex tasks
Forgetfulness of one's own personal history
Becoming moody or withdrawn
Stage 5: Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer's disease)
Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable
Individuals beging to need help with day-to-day activities
Still remember significant details about themselves and their family
Stage 6: Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer's disease)
Lose awareness of recent experiences as well as of their surroundings
Need help dressing properly
Experience major changes in sleep patterns
Need help handling details of toileting
Tend to wander or become lost
Stage 7: Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer's disease)
Lose the ability to carry on a conversation
Need help with daily personal care
Reflexes become abnormal
Muscles grow rigid
Swallowing is impaired
More information about Alzheimer's disease can be found in this blog post:
Did You Know? 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
Donna Foerster
The Foerster Team
Cherry Creek Properties, LLC
720-530-5554 (cell)
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