Alzheimer’s affects more than six million Americans. Your mom is one of them. As she progresses through the seven stages of Alzheimer’s, what should you expect?
First Stage – Changes Begin in the Brain
At this stage of Alzheimer’s, you don’t even know there’s a problem. This preclinical stage occurs a decade or more before symptoms appear. There’s nothing that can stop the progression, but medications can slow it down a little.
Second Stage – Basic Forgetfulness
The second stage is when basic forgetfulness appears. It’s often mistaken for normal age-related memory lapses, such as forgetting where you set down your glasses. But, someone with Alzheimer’s may find it impossible to retrace their steps.
At this point, a doctor may not be able to determine that it’s definitely Alzheimer’s vs. normal memory lapses. A determination that your mom has mild cognitive impairment is possible.
Third Stage – Recognizable Issues With Memory
It’s hard to ignore memory issues by the third stage. Your mom makes a hair appointment and forgets she made it. She may even deny ever having made it. She has a harder time remembering people’s names or certain words.
You might find your mom reads a news article and can’t remember reading it later in the day. If you mention it, she’ll become defensive.
Fourth Stage – Addition of Other Cognitive Issues
By the fourth stage, it’s impossible to ignore that there is a problem. Your mom knows where she lives, but she struggles to remember where her children moved to. She can’t get to a store as she can’t remember each road she needs to take.
In the fourth stage, she might start sleeping less. She doesn’t know what season it is, so she chooses the wrong outfit for the day. It’s unlikely that she can tell you the month or day of the week.
Fifth Stage – Loss of Independence
Home care aides or family caregivers are an important part of your mom’s life in the fifth stage. She’s starting to experience hallucinations and delusions. Your mom is paranoid.
She doesn’t remember all of her family members. If your mom still showers on her own, it’s likely that she won’t be able to discern a bottle of body wash from skin cream.
Sixth Stage – Personality Changes
Personality changes are common in the sixth stage. Your mom was once so kind and generous. Now, she’s mean and vindictive. Anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions are common. She gets easily frustrated and may lash out at you. If you’re providing her care, make sure you’re taking breaks from time to time.
Seventh Stage – Loss of Physical Control
In the seventh and final stage, your mom’s ability to walk, talk, and feed herself disappears. Her mobility requires her to have a wheelchair or assistance 24/7, especially if she rarely sleeps. Help with toileting is important.
Alzheimer’s and dementia care is the best way to support your mom through the different stages of Alzheimer’s. Caregivers are trained and ready to help your mom with personal care, meals, mobility, transportation, housekeeping, and much more. Reach out to an Alzheimer’s care expert to learn more and make the necessary arrangements.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Broomfield, CO please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (720) 789-8529
At Talem Home Care of Broomfield, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Broomfield, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Commerce City, Denver, Erie, Firestone, Lafayette, Lakewood, Longmont, Louisville, Northglenn, Sherrelwood, Thornton, Welby, Westminster, Wheat Ridge and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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