Disease Progression Education
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are progressive degenerative diseases of the brain. Regardless if you are a person with the diagnosis, family or community member, it is important to understand the symptoms, stages and support needed to both increase your empathy and enable you to cope in a healthy manner.
Dementias are often divided into three stages. While there are tools and assessments used to determine where an individual may fall in the spectrum, often their ability to function daily will give clues as to the particular stage.
| Memory & Thinking |
Language | Mood | Function |
|
Difficulty with short-term memory Poor concentration Poor decision-making |
Problems with remembering the right word or name |
May become depressed or socially withdrawn |
Difficulty organizing and managing household affairs, such as cleaning, cooking and yard work. Trouble handling finances Difficulty initiating activities Gets lost or mixed-up when driving in familiar places May be involved in fender benders |
As dementia progresses there is growing confusion. Now it is very easy to notice the changes in the person. The difficulty has now become taking care of their own basic needs. The person is not able to start most activities and does not seem to be interested in many things. The person doesn’t think there is a problem and can get upset when help is offered.
| Memory & Thinking |
Language | Mood | Function |
|
Severely impaired memory for recent and past events |
Unable to carry on a meaningful conversation verbally |
Appears withdrawn Difficult to engage |
Has difficulty interacting/responding to surroundings Forgets how to walk without help; may lead to eventual loss of body movement Relies totally on caregiver for dressing, grooming, bathing, feeding, bladder/bowel May forget to chew food or swallow May lose ability to sit up, hold head up and/or smile |
As the disease causing dementia spreads throughout the brain, the person moves in the late and final stage. So much of the brain has been affected by dementia that the person becomes completely dependent in all aspects of life. Language abilities are almost completely lost. The person’s behavior becomes the way to communicate a need that is not met such as hunger, boredom, or pain. The ability to walk is slowly lost and the person will need to be fed. Loss of bladder and bowel control also happens.
| Memory & Thinking |
Language | Mood | Function |
|
Difficulty with short- and long-term memory Forgets own personal history May begin to forget friends |
May not understand what is being said and/or is unable to comprehend written materials Losing ability to express self and make needs known |
More easily upset and frustrated May appear to lack emotion |
Needs help with:
|