The seven phases of Alzheimer’s disease are distinguished by a variety of symptoms, which can range from forgetfulness to profound behavioral and psychological abnormalities.
The most prevalent kind of dementia—a word used to describe a general deterioration in mental capacity—is Alzheimer’s disease.
The severity of symptoms and the course of the disease can be predicted using the three broad stages of Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association:
- Mild (early stage): Mild symptoms, general forgetfulness.
- Moderate (middle stage): Disabling symptoms, more care needed.
- Severe (late stage): Significant behavioral and personality changes, lack of awareness.
Alzheimer’s disease can also be diagnosed by medical professionals using the seven key clinical phases identified by Dr. Barry Reisberg in his 1982 Global Deterioration Scale.
Since different doctors have different preferences for staging systems, your doctor might employ the one they are most comfortable with.
To find out more about the seven phases of Alzheimer’s and how to get ready for what’s ahead, continue reading.
Table of Contents
1. Alzheimer’s preclinical stages, or no impairment
Only if a doctor finds biomarkers that suggest your risk or based on your family history will you be aware of your Alzheimer’s disease risk.
A doctor will ask you about memory problems if you are at risk for Alzheimer’s. During the first stage, which might extend for years or decades, there are usually no symptoms.
On the other hand, evidence from study indicates that your brain is changing.
Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to abnormal tau protein accumulation in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This protein can change in amounts up to 15 years before symptoms appear.
2. Extremely slight impairment or ordinary forgetfulness
People over 65 are primarily affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s normal to experience mild functional impairments at this age, such forgetfulness. On the other hand, if you have stage 2 Alzheimer’s, your cognitive deterioration can happen more quickly than it would for someone without the disease.
For instance, you might have memory lapses where you forget the names of family members, common words, or where you put things.
3. Mild impairment or decline
Mild cognitive impairment characterizes Alzheimer’s disease at stage three.
The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation states that stage 3 lasts roughly 7 years, however symptoms start to show up over a period of 2-3 years. The symptoms are probably only noticeable to those closest to you.
Among the stage 3 indications and symptoms could be:
- decline in work quality
- difficulty picking up new skills
- becoming disoriented while taking a familiar route
- having trouble recalling the proper terms or names
- losing your memory of what you just read
- not remembering new names or people
- misplacing or losing a valuable object
- losing focus when taking a test
To diagnose memory loss, a medical expert could question you more thoroughly than normal.
4. Mild Alzheimer’s, or moderate decline
Stage 4 is when Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed and lasts for roughly two years.
At this point, you might encounter:
- challenges relating to more complicated daily chores, like finances
- more noticeable emotional swings, like denial and withdrawal
- decreasing emotional responses
- a declining consciousness of recent or present events
- forgetting one’s own past
A doctor will search for a decrease in the areas that were specified in stage 3.
5. Moderately severe deterioration or moderate dementia
A person with Alzheimer’s in stage 5 needs a lot of assistance, and the stage lasts for roughly 1.5 years. Anger and mistrust are common emotions experienced by those who don’t have enough support.
You might be able to recollect the names of your immediate family members at this point, but you might be having trouble remembering significant occasions, the state of the weather, or current addresses. You can also have trouble counting backward and feel disoriented in terms of place or time.
6. Moderately severe Alzheimer’s
Over a 2.5-year period, five distinguishable traits emerge at stage 6:
- 6a. Clothes: Assistance with selecting and putting on clothing may be required.
- 6b. Hygiene: Your dental health starts to deteriorate, and you might require assistance setting the water’s temperature before taking a bath.
- 6c, 6d, and 6e. Toilet: You can overlook the need to flush or discard the tissue paper. As the condition worsens, you may require assistance with personal hygiene and eventually lose control over your bowels and bladder.
By stage 6, memory is considerably weaker, particularly in relation to recent events and the news. You may find it difficult to count backwards from ten and may mistake family members for strangers.
It is feasible to encounter:
- personality shifts
- fear of being alone
- fidgeting
- frustration
- stuttering
- shame
- suspicions
- paranoia
Counseling for behavioral and psychological issues must be continued.
7. Severe Alzheimer’s
Stage 7 of Alzheimer’s disease has substages that can last up to 2.5 years each:
- 7a: The interview is limited to six words or less, and the doctor may have to repeat questions.
- 7b: Speech reduces to a single, understandable word.
- 7c: The ability to speak is gone.
- 7d: You won’t be able to sit up on your own.
- 7e: Smiling faces give way to somber ones.
- 7f: You won’t be able to raise your head at all.
Your body may start to move more stiffly and painfully. About 40% of Alzheimer’s patients also develop contractures, or the shortening and hardening of tendons, muscles, and other tissues, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Additionally, you might acquire infantile reflexes like sucking.
During this phase, some people may become immobilized. Pneumonia is the most common cause of mortality for those with stage 7 Alzheimer’s disease.
A note on progression
The disease usually proceeds slowly, with symptoms ranging from moderate to severe. Each person will experience the condition at a different rate.
According to a 2018 study, individuals in the preclinical stage (1) who were 65 years of age or older had a 92% chance of continuing to think at the same level the following year, while those who were 75 years old had a 90% chance.
After 65 years of age, your chance of getting the disease also increases every five years.
Treating Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s has no known cure, however medication may help delay each stage of the illness. The goal of treatment is to control behavior and mental health while delaying the onset of symptoms.
Your regimen may consist of one or more of the following:
- medications
- therapy and counseling
- alternative treatments, like dietary and lifestyle modifications
Collaborating with a medical team and a network of friends, family, and caregivers is crucial. Together, they can create the most effective treatment strategy to improve your quality of life and decrease the disease’s progression.
Is Alzheimer’s preventable?
Scientists are still working to better understand Alzheimer’s and develop preventative measures.
Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline are linked to the following risk factors:
- diabetes
- depression
- cardiovascular disease
- mental inactivity
- poor diet
- physical inactivity
- obesity
- high blood pressure
- low education level
Once symptoms appear, medications might not be able to significantly change how Alzheimer’s disease progresses.
On the other hand, taking certain precautions could lessen your risk of contracting the illness. Regular exercise, for instance, may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease from developing or reduce its progression.
Frequently requested inquiries
What is the timeline for Alzheimer’s to death?
Each person with Alzheimer’s disease has a very different prognosis. An average person with Alzheimer’s disease lives for 5.8 years after being diagnosed. Some people do, however, live longer than 20 years.
When do patients with Alzheimer’s disease start to forget about their relatives?
During stage 2, people with Alzheimer’s disease may have memory loss and forget the names of family members. It could get harder for you to remember names as the illness advances into later stages.
How long does Alzheimer’s endure in its final stage?
Alzheimer’s disease in stage 7 typically lasts 1.5–2.5 years.
What is the typical age of an Alzheimer’s patient who passes away?
In the US, Alzheimer’s disease ranks as the fifth most common cause of mortality for those 65 years of age and older (Trusted Source). The age group 85 years and older has seen the biggest increase in the death rate.
Conclusion
Cognitive decline is a gradual symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, some medical practitioners divide it into seven stages.
It takes a lot of work to care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. Being a caregiver will cause you to feel a variety of emotions. You may be able to learn and share effective techniques and approaches for handling difficult circumstances via support groups.