Understanding the Stages of Memory Loss and When Your Loved One in Jenkintown, PA Will Need Dementia Care

By identifying the seven stages of memory loss, families can help senior loved ones in Jenkintown, Abington, Ambler, Philadelphia, Horsham, Hatboro and surrounding communities in Eastern Montgomery County, PA get the dementia care they need

Educating yourself on the stages of dementia-related memory loss can help make more informed decisions regarding your loved one's care. It can also help you gain a better understanding of what they are going through, which can make it easier for you to support them as the disease progresses.

According to the Reisberg Scale, there are seven stages of memory loss, including:

Stage 1: Normal/No Impairment

There are no signs that a person has developed dementia.

Stage 2: Very Mild/Normal Aged Forgetfulness

When a person enters the second stage of dementia, they will be the first to notice something is happening to them. The signs include mild forgetfulness, which can at this point be confused with age-related forgetfulness.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Impairment

Stage 3 brings changes that are noticeable by family and friends. The symptoms include forgetfulness, struggling with complex activities like planning and organization, loss of concentration, anxiety and confusion. When families notice these signs, they usually have their loved one's tested for dementia.

Stage 4: Moderate Dementia

In Stage 4, simple activities like cooking or cleaning become hard to perform alone. Speech impairments are fairly common as well. Some people also withdraw from social situations as they do not wish to admit to themselves and others that their cognitive functions are in decline. At this point, it is a good idea to start planning for dementia care.

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Dementia

Stage 6: Severe Dementia

Full-time dementia care is necessary at this point. The affected person needs assistance with dressing, bathing and toileting. They may often get lost or wander outside the home, forget the names of family members, lose the ability to properly speak, experience mood changes, and become very paranoid and aggressive.

Stage 7: Very Severe Dementia

Stage 7 is the last stage of dementia, where the affected person requires almost non-stop dementia care. Even tasks like moving, eating or talking become impossible.

Conclusion

When you notice some of the symptoms mentioned above, it is important to talk to your loved one's team about dementia testing. Early detection can help slow down the progression of the disease and give you enough time to prepare for your loved one's future care needs.

If your loved one wishes to age in place despite a dementia diagnosis, Visiting Angels Jenkintown can help. We provide quality in-home dementia care services so seniors can remain at home while staying safe and comfortable as a qualified caregiver helps them manage their memory loss and other symptoms.

Contact our Jenkintown, PA to learn more.

Visiting Angels provides quality in-home senior care throughout Jenkintown, Abington, Ambler, Huntingdon Valley, Lafayette Hill, Horsham, Lower Gwynedd, Hatboro, Philadelphia and throughout Eastern Montgomery County, PA.