ALZHEIMER'S UPDATE 04:
More than a third of U.S. adults have a family
>> member or friend who has Alzheimer's. Half of those who live past age
85
>> will succumb to Alzheimer's disease. It is a progressive
neurological
>> disorder that leads to personality changes, memory loss, intellectual
>> slowing and difficulty with regular activities. Although each person
with
>> Alzheimer's is different, most individuals affected by the disease
>> progress through a series of stages. Each stage is characterized by
more
>> serious symptoms. Although the stages provide a blueprint for the
>> progression of Alzheimer's disease, not everyone advances through the
>> stages similarly. Caregivers report that their loved ones sometimes
seem
>> to be in two or more stages at once, and the rate at which people
advance
>> through the stages is highly individual. Still, being aware of the
stages
>> will help you understand the disease and prepare for potential symptoms
>> and their accompanying challenges. The following seven stages were
>> developed by researchers and physicians to describe how your or your
>> loved
>> one's functioning will change over time. Your doctor might consolidate
>> the
>> seven stages into early/middle/late or mild/moderate/severe, so these
>> classifications are provided as well:
>>
>> Stage 1 (Absence of Impairment): There are no problems with memory,
>> orientation, judgment, communication, or daily activities. You or your
>> loved one is a normally functioning adult.
>>
>> Stage 2 (Minimal Impairment): You or your loved one might be
experiencing
>> some lapses in memory or other cognitive problems (i.e.faculty for
>> processing of information, applying knowledge and changing preferences)
,
>> but neither family nor friends are able to detect any changes. A
medical
>> exam would not reveal any problems either.
>>
>> Stage 3 (Noticeable Cognitive Decline): Family members and friends
>> recognize mild changes in memory, communication patterns, or behavior.
A
>> visit to the doctor might result in a diagnosis of early-stage or mild
>> Alzheimer's disease, but not always. Common symptoms in this stage
>> include:
>> . Problems producing people's names or the right words for objects.
>> . Noticeable difficulty functioning in employment or social settings.
>> . Forgetting material that has just been read.
>> . Misplacing important objects with increasing frequency.
>> . Decrease in planning or organizational skills
>>
>> Stage 4 (Early-Stage/Mild Alzheimer's): Cognitive decline is more
>> evident.
>> You or your loved one may become more forgetful of recent events or
>> personal details. Other problems include impaired mathematical ability
>> (for instance, counting backwards from 100 by 9s), a diminished ability
>> to
>> carry out complex tasks (for example, throwing a party or managing
>> finances), moodiness, and social withdrawal.
>>
>> Stage 5 (Middle-Stage/Moderate Alzheimer's): Some assistance with daily
>> tasks is required. Problems with memory and thinking are quite
>> noticeable,
>> including symptoms such as:
>> . An inability to recall one's own contact information or key details
>> about one's history.
>> . Disorientation to time and/or place.
>> . Decreased judgment and skills in regard to personal care
>> (Note: Even though symptoms are worsening,
people in this stage
>> usually still know their own name and the names of key family members
and
>> can eat and use the bathroom without assistance.)
>>
>> Stage 6 (Middle-Stage/Moderate to Late-Stage/Severe Alzheimer's): This
is
>> often the most difficult stage for caregivers because it's
characterized
>> by personality and behavior changes. In addition, memory continues to
>> decline, and assistance is required for most daily activities. The most
>> common symptoms associated with this stage include:
>> . Reduced awareness of one's surroundings and of recent events.
>> . Problems recognizing one's spouse and other close family members,
>> although faces are still distinguished between familiar and unfamiliar.
>> . Sundowning, which is increased restlessness and agitation in the late
>> afternoon and evening.
>> . Difficulty using the bathroom independently.
>> . Bowel and bladder incontinence (i.e. strong, sudden urges to go to
the
>> bathroom , frequent trips to the bathroom, and leakage).
>> . Suspicion.
>> . Repetitive behavior (verbal and/or nonverbal).
>> . Wandering
>>
>> Stage 7 (Late-Stage/Severe Alzheimer's): In the final stage, it is no
>> longer possible to respond to the surrounding environment. You or your
>> loved one may be able to speak words or short phrases, but
communication
>> is extremely limited. Basic functions begin to shut down, such as motor
>> coordination and the ability to swallow. Total care is required around
>> the
>> clock.
>> [Source:
>> http://alzheimers.about.com/od/symptomsofalzheimers/a/symptoms.htm
Jun 08
>> ++]