Stages of Dementia

Anthem Memory Care is a specialized community designed to provide comprehensive care and support to individuals with dementia. Our person-centered approach focuses on meeting our residents' unique needs and well-being, regardless of their dementia stages.

What Are the Stages of Dementia?

The most common form of dementia-related memory loss is Alzheimer's disease, followed by vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

What Are the Stages of Alzheimer's Disease?

We use the 7-stage Global Deterioration Scale, though loved ones often recognize the onset and progression of symptoms after the preclinical stage.

Alzheimer's disease progresses slowly and incrementally, with three symptomatic stages recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association: early, middle, and late, though the Global Deterioration Scale recognizes a preclinical stage.

Preclinical Stage (Stage 1)

The preclinical stage of dementia was established to recognize biochemical changes occurring in the brain that have not yet become symptomatic.

Early Stages of Dementia (Stages 2-4)

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms may not be immediately noticeable to family, friends, and colleagues. However, individuals may experience memory lapses, such as forgetting appointments or names of familiar objects. They may also frequently misplace items such as car keys or personal belongings.

Stage 2 Symptoms: No dementia symptoms, though there might be mild forgetfulness or challenges in social situations.
Stage 3 Symptoms: Difficulty remembering names or the correct words/phrases. Family and friends might notice cognitive changes.
Stage 4 Symptoms: Forgetting recent events and personal history. Increased moodiness and difficulty managing personal affairs, like forgetting to pay bills.

Middle Stages of Dementia (Stages 5-6)

As Alzheimer's disease advances to the middle stage, more significant memory lapses and behavioral changes may become evident. They may become increasingly frustrated or anxious, often lashing out at those around them. Additionally, they may refuse to perform basic tasks, such as bathing or dressing, without assistance.

Individuals experience further cognitive decline and significant impairment in their ability to remember even close family members. Additionally, the middle stages of Alzheimer's can lead to social isolation as individuals become withdrawn and have difficulty engaging in social activities.

Stage 5 Symptoms: Difficulty recalling basic personal details like telephone number or address, becoming confused about place and time, needing help with basic hygiene tasks (bathing and personal care).
Stage 6 Symptoms: Loss of short-term memory, difficulty remembering names of close family members, difficulty controlling bladder or bowels.

Last Stage of Dementia (Stage 7)

As the condition progresses to the final stages, individuals will require ongoing, continual assistance with all aspects of daily living. They may also experience bouts of paranoia, leading to confusion and mistrust of others. Furthermore, they may have difficulty controlling their bladder and bowels.

Stage 7 Symptoms: Inability to engage in conversation, diminished control of movement, inability to respond to environmental stimuli.

The progression of Alzheimer's disease symptoms is variable; not everyone will experience symptoms in the same way.

What Are the Stages of Vascular Dementia?

Vascular dementia is a non-degenerative form of dementia caused by damage to the blood vessels in the brain. It differs from other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, in that the damage is primarily due to brain hemorrhage or ischemia rather than an abnormal accumulation of proteins.

Early symptoms of vascular dementia may include:

Slow thoughts: Individuals may experience difficulties with thinking and begin processing information at a slower pace.

Difficulty making or following through on plans: Planning and organizing tasks may become more challenging, leading to difficulties in promptly following through on plans or completing tasks.

Struggles to understand complex sentences: Some people may need help following a conversation or understanding written information.

Loss of focus or concentration: Individuals with vascular dementia may have difficulty staying focused on a specific topic or task, leading to frequent distractions or confusion.

Mood changes: Mood changes are common in the early stages of vascular dementia. Individuals may experience mood swings, irritability, or changes in their personality.

As the condition progresses, additional symptoms may develop, including:

Disorientation: Individuals may become disoriented and confused, causing agitation and stress.

Depression and mood swings: People might experience persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a loss of interest in activities.

Struggles to find the right words: Individuals with vascular dementia may struggle to find the right words or express themselves clearly.

Memory loss: Memory loss is a less common symptom in vascular dementia than in Alzheimer's disease. However, in later stages, individuals can forget recent events, names, or familiar faces.

Difficulty walking: As the disease progresses, problems walking, maintaining balance, or coordination difficulties might become evident.

Incontinence: Incontinence, or loss of bladder or bowel control, is another common symptom in the late stages of vascular dementia.

What Are The 7 Stages of Lewy Body Dementia?

Lewy body dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of Lewy body protein deposits in the brain's nerve cells. It is the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease.

The condition has various stages, ranging from no symptoms to severe cognitive decline.

Stage 1: No Symptoms of Cognitive Decline

Stage 1 is often considered preclinical, as there are no changes in cognitive function.

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Impairment/Memory Loss

In stage 2, individuals may experience mild cognitive impairment or memory loss, though sufficiently mild to go unnoticed. It does not impede everyday interactions, job performance, or daily activities.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Impairment/Memory Loss

In stage 3, individuals may have more pronounced difficulties with cognitive function, such as difficulty concentrating or remembering appointments. However, individuals at this stage may still be able to maintain independence and carry out daily activities.

Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Impairment/Memory Loss

Stage 4 has more significant cognitive function difficulties, including planning, organizing, and reasoning challenges.

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Impairment/Memory Loss

Significant cognitive function deficits, including communication, problem-solving, and decision-making challenges, characterize stage 5. Individuals at this stage may require more assistance with daily activities and may need help with personal care.

Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Impairment/Memory Loss

In stage 6, memory loss has become significant, and mobility has been severely compromised. Individuals may require full-time care and assistance with activities of daily living.

Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline

This stage is characterized by severe deterioration of cognitive ability, which might include the complete loss of motor function and a total inability to communicate.

What Are The 7 Stages of Frontotemporal Dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It typically progresses through a sequence of stages, each with its own characteristic symptoms.

Stage 1: No Symptoms

During the initial stage of frontotemporal dementia, individuals may not display any noticeable symptoms. However, subtle changes may be observed in their behavior and social interactions.

Stage 2: Slight Cognitive Impairment

In stage 2, individuals may experience minor cognitive impairments, such as difficulty concentrating, organizing thoughts, or recalling recent events. They may also exhibit subtle changes in personality and behavior, such as apathy or lack of empathy.

Stage 3: Moderate Cognitive Impairment

As frontotemporal dementia progresses, individuals may exhibit more pronounced cognitive impairments. They may need help with complex tasks, such as problem-solving or decision-making. They may also experience a loss of impulse control and demonstrate compulsive behaviors.

Stage 4: Severe Cognitive Impairment

In stage 4, individuals experience severe cognitive impairments, leading to marked functional decline. They may need help with daily activities, such as dressing, eating, or using the bathroom. Language abilities may become impaired, leading to difficulty speaking or comprehending language.

Stage 5: Presentation of Motor Symptoms

Common motor symptoms include tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement. Individuals may experience difficulties swallowing or maintaining bladder and bowel control.

Stage 6: Further Decline of Motor Skills

In stage 6, individuals continue to experience a decline in motor skills, leading to the inability to perform even basic tasks. They may need constant assistance with mobility, self-care, and daily activities.

Stage 7: End-of-Life

As frontotemporal dementia reaches the final stage, individuals may require constant care and support. They often experience a significant decline in cognitive abilities, mobility, and overall quality of life. They may become highly vulnerable to pulmonary infections.

How Long Do The 7 Stages of Dementia Last?

Dementia is a progressive and life-limiting disorder. The duration of the earliest stages is highly variable; the presence of the disease might only be suspected in the third or sometimes fourth stage. However, the duration of each later stage can range from 2 to 5 years.

The progression of the stages of the disease varies from person to person and depends on several factors.

Type of dementia: One significant factor is the type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, typically progresses more slowly than other forms of dementia.

Age: The age at which a person becomes symptomatic also plays a role in the progression of dementia. Alzheimer's disease tends to progress more slowly in individuals over the age of 65 compared to those who are younger.

Overall health: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension can affect the brain's health and may increase the risk of developing dementia. These factors can accelerate the progression or worsen the symptoms of dementia.

Protect, Engage & Love

Anthem Memory Care is committed to providing compassionate and individualized care to individuals with dementia and their families. We understand the challenges that come with each stage of the disease and strive to create a supportive and nurturing environment for all those affected by dementia.