Alzheimer’s is a progressive medical condition that leads to a decline in cognitive function. This neurological disorder can’t be cured and can last for years or be lifelong. Notwithstanding, an early diagnosis means your neurologist can commence treatment to manage the condition.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for a significant percentage of dementia cases in the world. Although each case differs, the illness follows a similar trajectory from beginning to end. The illness progresses from mild cognitive impairment to severe cognitive decline. On that note, here is a simple breakdown of the stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Stage 1
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the symptoms are not always evident. It won’t be easy to spot any signs at this stage. Only a PET scan or imaging test can produce a correct diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
So you know, Alzheimer’s disease is a terminal illness. This early stage also presents a perfect opportunity for the person who has Alzheimer’s to purchase a life insurance policy. The individual can also sell the policy to a viatical settlement broker or an institutional investor to get the best value. The best viatical settlement providers negotiate a lump sum cash payout that’s higher than the surrender value.
Stage 2
During stage 2, you might not notice any visible changes in normal outdoor behavior in a person with Alzheimer’s. At this stage, dementia starts to set in by which the person might forget certain words or an item’s whereabouts. According to Alzheimers specialists, these subtle symptoms don’t in any way interfere with the person’s ability to live or work independently.
Stage 3
Stage 3 involves a mild decline in the cognitive ability of the individual and the changes become evident in the person’s thinking and reasoning. They might even start forgetting something a person said a few moments ago so don’t be surprised if the person asks the same questions over and over again. You might also see a decline in organizational skills. This includes planning and keeping up with appointments.
Stage 4
During this stage, the cognitive impairment worsens and becomes more evident. What’s more, they tend to forget some basic details about themselves. Not just that, most people with Alzheimer’s forget what month or year it is. With each passing day, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to cook their meals or do everyday house chores. At this stage, a fraudulent person can easily take advantage of them.
Stage 5
At this stage, you’ll begin to notice a more moderate decline. The typical signs include the inability to keep track of time and give details of whereabouts. They also experience difficulty remembering some basic things about themselves like their address, contact number, or where they grew up.
They might also get confused about the choice of clothes. You can always help assist a loved one with Alzheimer’s to lay out their clothes or dress them up.
Stage 6
As the illness progresses to this stage, the person with Alzheimer’s disease probably won’t remember people’s names. They might still be able to recognize faces, but it will be difficult to put a name to a face.
More so, it gets to a point where people with Alzheimer’s disease start to mistake a person for someone else. At this stage, the delusional disorder starts to set in—such as thinking they have a job to do when they don’t.
Stage 7
During this stage, you’ll notice a very severe decline in the cognitive function of a person with Alzheimer’s. The patient might lose basic abilities like walking, eating, and sitting up. You can act as a caregiver for your loved ones by feeding them, helping them use cutlery, and making sure they drink enough water. At this stage, the illness is at its terminal point, and death could come at any time. You have to prepare for the inevitable and ensure your loved one experiences a smooth passing.
