Recognizing the Stages of Alzheimer’s Diseases

Alzheimer’s disease impacts the lives of over six million Americans and their loved ones. Although no disease is easy to live with, Alzheimer’s can be challenging to grapple with, considering the disease’s profound cognitive effects. If you or a senior loved one is concerned about Alzheimer’s, the following guide can help clarify the five stages of the disease, including related symptoms.

The Five Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Experts categorize the stages of Alzheimer’s in several ways, from the five that follow to mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s, or early, middle, and late. While many of these stages include marked disease progression, timelines associated with each stage vary. Individuals with Alzheimer’s may live for quite some time after diagnosis.

1. Preclinical Alzheimer’s

Changes to a person’s behavior or mental status won’t be noticeable at this stage. Most diagnoses rely on reviewing specific proteins within the brain. Blood samples and genetic testing can also help identify the markers of Alzheimer’s.

2. Mild cognitive impairment from Alzheimer’s

Often shortened to MCI, mild cognitive impairment in itself isn’t an isolated diagnosis of Alzheimer’s but could potentially stem from other factors. Symptoms within this stage may include memory issues, misjudgment of time, or mild changes in thought patterns.

3. Mild dementia

Confusion begins to set in when Alzheimer’s patients enter this stage of mild dementia. Individuals may have difficulty focusing or organizing their thoughts, solving problems, or remembering details. Personality changes can manifest in this stage.

4. Moderate dementia

When patients living with Alzheimer’s require assistance to complete daily tasks, it can signal the onset of moderate dementia. Memory and thought patterns experience greater changes, along with personality and mood.

5. Severe dementia

Seniors living with severe dementia have typically lost the ability to communicate effectively. Alongside a decline in mental functioning, patients may experience trouble with physical abilities. Individuals can live with severe dementia for many years, although pneumonia is a common cause of death among Alzheimer’s patients.

Local Resources for Families of Seniors with Alzheimer’s

Visiting Angels is dedicated to connecting our local West Cincinnati community with information and resources to empower them in their senior care journey. The following resources assist seniors and their families who may have questions and concerns about this disease. Several of them also include wonderful programs in support of individuals with Alzheimer’s, as well as for their caregivers:

Local Programs:

National Programs:

Additional Reading Materials:

Visiting Angels West Cincinnati offers Alzheimer’s care services for seniors and their loved ones living with this disease. If you’d like to learn more about our Alzheimer’s care services, contact us to set up a free consultation. We’re happy to discuss the needs of your aging loved one and incorporate a meticulously crafted care plan into their life.