Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is a progressive, fatal disease that eventually affects most if not all of the brain's functions. It is this progression through the brain, following virtually the same path in everyone afflicted, that causes the stages of Alzheimer's disease. The disease kills brain cells, beginning in the hypothalamus and steadily advancing into other areas of the brain. As different areas of the brain are affected, different brain functions are lost or impaired.

Alzheimer's may be present in the brain years before it is diagnosed. The time frame, from earliest recognition of symptoms to ultimate death, can range from three to ten or even twenty years. Not all of the symptoms are present in every case, and there are individual differences in the speed that the disease advances from early to later stages.

Models of Alzheimer's Stages

There are several models of the stages of Alzheimer's disease. The two most prevalent models use three and seven divisions respectively to describe the progression of the disease. The easiest one to understand is the three-stage model; early-stage, middle-stage and late-stage or end stage Alzheimer's disease. We are generally accustomed to thinking of things happening in threes, or being divided into three parts.

Three Stage Model

Easier to understand than the seven stages of Alzheimer's, the three stage model divides the progression into early, middle, and late stage Alzheimer's, or mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease.

Stage One Alzheimer's – Mild Alzheimer's Disease

Often referred to as early Alzheimer's, mild Alzheimer's disease is characterized by some memory loss, especially memory of more recent events. A person in the early stages of Alzheimer's will likely be able to carry out the daily activities of living, but may begin to forget familiar words and names when speaking, and have trouble finding things like keys. Judgment and attention span will become impaired. (more....)

*Early Alzheimer's disease should not be confused with early onset Alzheimer's, which is a variant of the disease that can affect people more than a decade earlier than Alzheimer's generally strikes.

Stage Two Alzheimer's – Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

The symptoms of moderate Alzheimer's disease are in large part an increase in the severity of the symptoms of the first stage. Professional and social functioning continue to deteriorate because of increasing problems with memory, logic, speech, and initiative. (more....)

Stage Three Alzheimer's – Severe Alzheimer's Disease

Severe Alzheimer's disease is characterized by almost total memory loss. The person in this last stage of Alzheimer's usually needs help with all of the basic activities of daily living. She will lose the ability to walk unassisted, and eventually even to sit up by herself. The body eventually forgets how to carry out the normal biological functions necessary to sustain life. (more....)

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Seven Stage Model

An alternative model that differentiates seven Alzheimer's stages, more accurately reflects the step-by-step progression of damage as Alzheimer's disease travels through the brain. The disease first affects the area of the brain in which new memories are formed. It then moves to other areas affecting different functions, like reasoning or emotions, as it travels. The cerebellum and the brain stem, the last (approximately seventh) areas of the brain to be affected, control basic bodily functions, including breathing, heart-rate, and blood pressure.(more....)

Stage One Alzheimer's

Normal mental Functioning

Stage Two Alzheimer's

The beginning of early Alzheimer's disease or early stage Alzheimer's – The individual may feel that they are getting forgetful or losing things, but it is not evident to others. (more....)

Stage Three Alzheimer's

Mild symptoms – Friends and family begin to notice that memory and functioning is declining.(more....)

Stage Four Alzheimer's

Symptoms become more evident – To memory problems are added problems involving reasoning and planning.(more....)

Stage Five Alzheimer's

Activities of Daily Living begin to be more difficult – Memory problems become more pronounced. The individual may begin to forget personal history.(more....)

Stage Six Alzheimer's

Personality changes and behavioral disorders become evident – This is the stage that is most associated with Alzheimer's disease, the stage in which the individual might forget family members, wander, and may start to dress andbehave inappropriately (more....)

Stage Seven Alzheimer's

Late or final stage Alzheimer's – The individual loses the ability to function in the environment, communication becomes very limited, and eventually the organs of the body start shutting down.(more....)

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Very often during her progression through the stages of Alzheimer's disease a person will experience what has been called a "moment of clarity." For a brief period, she will sound and act as though the disease has gone into remission. She may relate a memory that was previously lost, or recognize someone she did not know minutes before, or hasn't recognized for years. She may even say something truly touching or profound.

This is not the case. Alzheimer's disease is not reversible and there is no cure, but you can still take comfort in these moments. They are evidence that the person you have always known is still there. Person-hood survives the physical and neurological effects of the disease. Mind and spirit endure.

The stages of Alzheimers – Three Stage Model
The stages of Alzheimers – Seven Stage Model