The 7 Stages of Alzheimers

A pattern of symptom progression has been regularly recorded in patients suffering from Alzhimers, and the following seven stages of Alzheimers are based on this pattern.  Staging symptoms is important for understanding the disease and giving individuals the ability to plan for the future.  These stages of Alzheimers are not a direct map to every single patient’s experience with the disorder, and individuals can live with Alzheimers from 3 to 20 years. 

Alzheimer's Stages

The 7 Stages of Alzheimers:

Stage 1:  No impairment or memory problems.

Stage 2:  Very mild cognitive decline.  Note that this may be one of the stages of Alzheimers or simply a normal effect of aging.  Individuals may have trouble remembering locations of objects (eg. keys), names, or familiar words.

Stage 3:  Mild cogitative decline.   This is the first of the stages of Alzheimers that can provide doctors with the ability to diagnose early-stage Alzheimers.  Friends or family may begin to notice problems with memory or concentration, language, memory, performance (social or work), misplacing objects, or inability to plan.

Stage 4:  Moderate cognitive decline.  Unmistakable deterioration in the following:  knowledge of recent events, ability to perform fairly complicated math, ability to perform tasks (i.e. plan for dinner, manage checkbook), loss of personal memories (family names, birthdates), ability to interact

Stage 5:  Moderately severe cognitive decline.  Major memory gaps, daily assistance necessary.  Severe confusion about important information (address, telephone number), or the time, date, week or season.  Inability to perform simple math, or make correct decision about clothing or money. 

Stage 6:  Severe cognitive decline.  Memory constantly deteriorating, with significant personality changes or mood swings.  Loss of awareness of surroundings, or any recent events.  Imperfect recollection of their own history (i.e. made up memories), and inability to remember close family.  Delusions or hallucinations are common, and patients usually require extensive help with daily activities (bathroom, dressing, cooking).

Stage 7:  Very severe cognitive decline.  This is the last of the stages of Alzheimers.  The patient loses the ability to respond the their environment.  Loss of ability to speak, or walk, and reflexes and swallowing become impaired.