The 7 Stages of Dementia and their Symptoms
Written by Leah Hallstrom
I found this article the other day and wanted to put it up to give someone a chance to see, read, and learn who might not have seen it.
Here is a bit of it; for the rest, you must follow the link to the original story on the other website and finish reading.
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Dementia is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. While every individual with dementia is unique, their journey through the seven stages of dementia typically follows a specific path. Each of the different levels of dementia comes with new symptoms or a worsening of existing symptoms. Knowing what to look for through dementia’s stages and phases will help you determine when it’s time to reassess your family member’s care needs. Read on to learn how to recognize warning signs during the early stages of dementia, plus common symptoms of middle- and late-stage dementia.
Levels of dementia: What to expect in pre-, middle-, and late-stage dementia
Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive function that affects memory, problem-solving skills, language, and functions that affect daily living. Specific types of dementias — including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia — advance at unique rates and differ from person to person.
The seven stages are separated into three progressive phases of dementia:
Pre-dementia or early-stage dementia. In this initial phase, a person can still live independently and may not exhibit obvious memory loss or have any difficulty completing regular tasks. Mild dementia symptoms mimic episodes of age-related forgetfulness.
Moderate or middle-stage dementia. Moderate dementia symptoms significantly affect a person’s personality and behavior. Someone with middle-stage dementia will generally need full- or part-time caregiver assistance with regular day-to-day activities. Other moderate-stage dementia symptoms include significant cognitive impairment and mood swings.
Severe or late-stage dementia. The final phase is associated with severe cognitive impairment along with a loss of physical abilities. Late-onset dementia symptoms are pronounced memory loss, incontinence, and an inability to move without help.
What are the seven stages of dementia?
Healthcare providers use a comprehensive tool to assess the seven stages of dementia in elderly patients: the Global Deterioration Scale.[01] Also known as the GDS, this trusted method enables caregivers and health professionals to determine how quickly dementia progresses in elderly patients and which symptoms to expect during each of the seven stages of dementia. A dementia stages chart can help caregivers track and monitor their loved one’s health status against stage-related symptoms.
The seven stages of dementia are:
Stage 1: No cognitive impairment
Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline
Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline
Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline
Stage 5: Moderately severe cognitive decline
Stage 6: Severe cognitive decline
Stage 7: Very severe cognitive decline
Dementia stage 1: No cognitive impairment
Though it may sound odd, stage 1 dementia often looks like normal mental functioning without any cognitive decline. Someone in the first three dementia stages doesn’t usually exhibit enough symptoms to be diagnosed. However, it’s important to note that changes in the brain are still taking place. While some cognitive impairment may be present, stages 1, 2, and 3 on the GDS are recognized as pre-dementia stages.
Dementia stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline
Stage 2 dementia includes simple memory mistakes like a loved one wondering, “Where did I put my keys?” or, “What was that person’s name?”
A significant amount of the senior population experiences age-related forgetfulness, and caregivers or medical providers may not even notice such mild impairment. This explains why stage 2 is also known as “age-associated memory impairment” on the GDS.
“About 40% of people aged 65 or older have age-associated memory impairment — in the United States, about 16 million people,” said Professor Gary W. Small [02] in research published by the British Medical Association. “Only about 1% of them will progress to dementia each year.”
Stage 2 dementia symptoms:
Losing track of familiar objects
Inability to recall names of friends, family members, and former acquaintances
Dementia stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (also called mild cognitive impairment)
When memory and cognitive problems become more regular, as well as noticeable to caregivers and family members, a person is said to be suffering from mild cognitive decline, which is also known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Stage 3 dementia doesn’t generally have a major impact on day-to-day functioning.
How quickly does this dementia stage progress in the elderly? An estimated 10 to 20 percent of people age 65 or older with MCI will develop recognizable or diagnosable dementia within a year, according to the National Institute on Aging.[03] Since MCI often precedes more severe dementia stages, it’s important to recognize the signs of this stage and seek medical advice.
Stage 3 dementia symptoms:
Forgetting to go to appointments or events
Losing things and minor memory loss
Getting lost while traveling
Decreased work performance
Difficulty finding the right words
Verbal repetition
Challenges with organization and concentration
Trouble with complex tasks and problem-solving
Dementia stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline
Stage 4 dementia is when a person has clear, visible signs of cognitive impairment and exhibits personality changes — both of which are significant dementia symptoms. A person is not typically diagnosed with dementia until they’re at stage 4 or beyond. While the medical terminology for stage 4 dementia is moderate cognitive decline, this stage is officially diagnosed by the GDS as mild dementia.
At this stage, doctors and caregivers will likely observe hallmark signs that dementia is getting worse, including difficulties with language and reduced problem-solving skills.
Stage 4 dementia symptoms:
Social withdrawal
Emotional moodiness
Lack of responsiveness
Reduced intellectual sharpness
Trouble with routine tasks
Forgetting recent events
Please finish reading this very informative and helpful article here:
https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/dementia-stages