Understanding the Stages of Dementia and How Care Needs Change Over Time

How fast does dementia progress? What are the symptoms in each stage? Understanding dementia can help you make the right choices for your loved one, and your family.

Did you know that a human brain only weighs three pounds and is made up of three sections:

The cerebrum: for remembering, problem-solving, thinking, feeling
The cerebellum: coordination and balance
The brain stem: breathing, digestion, heart rate and blood pressure

What is dementia?

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.

What are the stages of dementia?

Early, middle (moderate) and late.

What are the symptoms in the early stage of dementia?

Symptoms may be mild, or the person may be successful in masking them. However, friends and family might notice subtle changes. These can include difficulty coming up with the right word. Forgetting names of people they’ve just met. Not table to perform tasks at work. Inability to recall material they just read. Losing and misplacing something of value. These changes may occur 20 years or more before a diagnosis.

What to expect in the early stage of dementia

It’s quite possible for a person in the early stages of dementia to continue to go about their everyday life without too much difficulty. Focusing on the things that matter most to them is a helpful strategy. If your loved one is in this stage, it’s a good time to be sure their financial, legal, and estate plans are in place now, so that they can participate in decisions and feel ownership.

What happens in the middle stage of dementia?

Of all the stages of dementia, this one typically lasts the longest, generally two to 10 years. During this phase, symptoms become more obvious and interfere with everyday life. Some examples would be becoming angry or frustrated, refusing to bathe or dress properly, or confusing words and concepts.

You might also notice that your loved one is forgetting important dates, such as an anniversary or birthday. They might not remember parts of their past, or even their address or phone number. They may be confused about the date or time of day. Sleep often becomes difficult. Wandering may also occur.

It’s important to know that while you may notice the stages of dementia symptoms increasing rapidly, it’s still possible for your loved one to be involved in some daily activities, with assistance.

Care during the moderate stages of dementia can be quite a demanding and exhausting task if the person is living at home. Respite care can offer a much-needed break both for the family as well as the person with dementia.

What happens in late-stage dementia?

When a person reaches this stage, 24-hour professional care is needed to help keep them healthy and safe. Unable to respond to their environment, individuals in the late stage of dementia can find it difficult to control movement or carry on a conversation. They may lose the ability to walk, sit or swallow.

Even so, a person in this stage can still benefit from appropriate sensory stimulation. For example, listening to their favorite music. Interacting with a pet therapy animal. Aromatherapy in a secure garden. The gentle touch of a loved one.

How fast does dementia progress?

While the progression of dementia can vary widely. Some individuals decline rapidly, others experience a much slower progression.

Early stage: It can take several years for symptoms to progress.
Middle stage: Symptoms worsen over a period of two to four years.
Late stage: There often is a rapid progression of one to two years.

How memory care can help

Memory care communities are known to provide an improved quality of life for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients in a number of different ways. Personalized therapy focuses on each person’s life story, preferences, hobbies and interests, and daily habits. Specially trained staff know how to help each individual feel comfortable and at home. The therapeutic setting helps reduce confusion and frustration and provides a secure and supportive environment.

In addition, it is reassuring to know that today’s memory care settings go to great lengths to ensure the safety and overall wellbeing of all residents, through specific programs and procedures.

These are just a few of the ways your loved one could benefit from memory care. At The Carriages, we offer even more, as well as an impressive array of services and amenities designed to enhance life. We welcome your questions.

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