Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect those who are diagnosed with it in different ways. Some may progress into each stage quickly, while others may only show symptoms as they enter late stage dementia. As upsetting as it is to think about, life expectancy can also vary from person to person. 

If you’ve been noticing that a loved one has been having trouble remembering things, losing their train of thought easily, and being stuck for words, you may suspect they’re entering early stage dementia.

Knowing what the different stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are can help you get your loved one an early diagnosis and the care they, and you, need.

How many stages of dementia are there?

Dementia is a progressive disease, which means it worsens over time. With around 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease today, we now have a better understanding of how this disease progresses. Alzheimer’s disease affects different parts of the brain, impacting memory, thinking, judgment, language, and personality. 

Dementia progresses in three stages:

1. Early stage
2. Middle stage
3. Late stage 

Your loved one may experience all the usual symptoms throughout each stage, or they may only show a few. Each person moves through the disease differently, and some stages may overlap. It can be quite challenging to know when they’ve transitioned into the next phase as some symptoms may appear in a different order, or others, like behavioral symptoms, may reduce or disappear altogether.

It’s only natural to ask what happens next so you can feel prepared, but it’s important to remember to stay present as much as possible with your loved one. 

Here, we’ll go through each stage and the typical symptoms so you can recognize when it’s time to get your loved one the proper care.

Early stage dementia

Also referred to as mild dementia, in these early stages, the signs may not always be noticeable. Symptoms aren’t as severe, and a person can often live independently. There might only be mild cognitive impairment, where their daily life isn’t greatly impacted.

What are the signs your loved one is in early stage dementia?

The person may experience some, or all, of the following dementia symptoms:

• Remembering names when introduced to people
• Forgetting words for everyday objects
• Trouble with everyday or complex tasks like following directions or a recipe
• Decreased judgment which can lead to dangerous situations like crossing a busy road without waiting until it’s safe
• Increased anxiety because they’re noticing the changes happening to them
• Misplacing belongings like car keys
• Difficulties expressing their thoughts
• Finding it hard to keep track of time, dates, and seasons
• Withdrawal from social situations

As your loved one’s dementia progresses from the early stage to the middle stage, it may not be obvious at first, but their symptoms will gradually worsen over time.

Middle stage dementia

This phase of the disease tends to last the longest. It can last for many years before the person reaches the final stage. 

Some signs that the person may have moved to this part of the disease are:

• Sundowning: this is a behavior change that often appears in the late afternoon or evening. They may become distressed and have delusions when this happens.
• They may become more easily angered or frustrated
• Acting in ways that are out of character for them like refusing to bathe
• Finding it difficult to recognize familiar faces
• Having sleepless nights or waking at night and behaving as if it’s daytime
• Not recognizing their home
• Asking the same questions repeatedly
• Restlessness
• Balance issues
• Hallucinations are common in those with Alzheimer’s disease
• Saying inappropriate things in public

With middle stage dementia, existing symptoms worsen in severity and the person may need extra assistance in carrying out daily tasks.

Late stage dementia

Each part of your loved one’s journey with this disease can be challenging for you and other family members. Late stage dementia can be especially difficult as your loved one will need full-time care as their condition advances from mild cognitive impairment to severe dementia.

As the disease worsens, some symptoms you’ll notice are:

• Time shifting: they may believe they’re at an earlier period of their life.
• Their ability to communicate will be drastically reduced
• They may have trouble understanding others
• They may scream and shout due to fear and being unable to understand what’s happening to them
• Their physical movement may be severely impacted
• They need more help with eating
• Trouble swallowing
• Incontinence

When your loved one reaches this stage, their life expectancy is limited, which can be extremely upsetting to think about. As they go through each part of this disease, their care is vital, but it’s also important to remember to look after yourself, too. 

Dementia is often called the ‘long goodbye’ as family members may grieve the person they love while they’re still around.

But there are lots of things you can do to help cope during this time and still enjoy special moments with your loved one.

Coping with late stage dementia

Try to focus on what your family member still enjoys at this point rather than preoccupying yourself with the painful thought of how much time they may have left.

Being present can help you savor the good moments when they come. Whether your loved one enjoys being in nature, listening to music, or having you read to them, find what still sparks joy in them and make time for it. Studies have shown that music can greatly decrease feelings of agitation and frustration in a person with dementia.

Take family photos and make a note of good days together. As difficult as this journey with your loved one is, you’ll be able to look back on the precious times together and cherish the memories. 

Compassionate dementia care in Round Rock, Texas

If your family member is getting to the point where they need more care, Sundara Senior Living offers a thoughtfully designed memory care community to give your loved one a home away from home. 

Our community is intentionally intimate, so staff and residents can interact naturally and consistently. We take a highly personalized approach to each person in our care so you can have peace of mind that they’re well looked after.

Get in touch today to see how we can support you and your family.