Are you aware of the difficulties that people with varying stages of dementia may encounter and the value of putting the right supports in place? What are the 7 phases of dementia, and at each step, how can you support your loved one?
When it comes to the various phases of dementia, you may usually classify the disease’s progression as mild, moderate, or severe. The majority of individuals prefer a 7-stage model that categorizes cognitive decline into seven distinct categories, despite the fact that this 3-stage model is effective for providing an overview of the early, middle, and final phases of dementia. Everyone’s case of dementia may progress differently, but understanding where a loved one fits on this scale can aid in identifying symptoms and indicators as well as deciding the best course of care.
It can be challenging to live with and comprehend various stages of dementia. Hence, this article includes a detailed description of the entire dementia journey, enhancing your understanding of the 7 stages of dementia.
Normal Behavior
Your loved one may not exhibit any symptoms in the early stages of dementia, but there may already be changes in the brain, which can happen years before any symptoms or signs of dementia appear.
Forgetfulness
A person with early-stage dementia may forget things easily and frequently misplace items about the house, but not to the extent that it is possible to tell the difference between the memory loss and normal aging-related memory decline.
Mild Decline
You might start to notice small changes and indications that something “isn’t quite right” as dementia advances. Your loved ones might frequently forget appointments, lose their pocketbook, or misplace their keys. Up to seven years may pass during this phase.
Moderate Decline
The signs and symptoms of dementia become more obvious to everyone in these latter stages. Your loved ones can struggle to recall what they had for breakfast, manage their money, or pay their bills. At this point, it is likely that they will receive a diagnosis of dementia if they go to the doctor and do the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). This stage usually lasts two years or less.
Moderately Severe Decline
In these advanced stages of dementia, your loved ones may require additional assistance with daily activities. While they are likely still able to take care of other personal needs independently (like using the restroom), they may struggle to dress appropriately or struggle to recall basic information about themselves, like their address or phone number. However, individuals frequently recognize family members and close acquaintances and have vivid memories of the past, particularly of their early years. This period can endure, on average, for about 1.5 years.
Severe Decline
Continuous supervision is required for your loved ones with dementia in its later stages. They might need assistance with bathing and dressing, and they might possibly develop incontinence. You might observe alterations in their personality and behavior, such as increased rage and aggression, which can be upsetting and challenging to handle. Even though they may be extremely perplexed, they frequently still recognize and are familiar with their closest friends and family members, which can be somewhat consoling. According to experts, this stage might persist for an average of 2.5 years.
Very Severe Decline
Before your loved ones reach this latter stage of dementia, many people pass away, frequently as a result of other medical illnesses. At this point, they will have severe speech loss, require help with daily tasks, and may even need round-the-clock care and the assistance of trained caregivers (if they do not already have this).
