Almost Like Home - Secure Residential Memory Care in Arvada, Colorado

Return to:

Please visit our
Resource Library
for up-to-date information to help you better understand the condition.

Understanding Alzheimer's disease is challenging for those involved with someone experiencing this condition. The progression of the disease has been defined in different ways. Below are two of the more widely used resources to help you determine the stage at which your loved one may be.

SYMPTOMS & PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
from
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life (3rd Edition)
by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins
click here for printer friendly version of this info

PHASE 1

INVOLVES THE TIME FRAME LEADING UP TO AND INCLUDING DIAGNOSIS
Usually lasts 2 - 4 years
Examples: confusion, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, inappropriate behavior

PHASE 2

THIS IS USUALLY THE LONGEST PHASE
Lasts 2 - 10 years after diagnosis
Examples: aimlessness, change in walk (begins to shuffle)

PHASE 3

LAST PHASE
Usually no more than 3 years
Examples: communication lost, bowel control lost, prolonged sleeping, difficulty swallowing, skin breakdowns

REISBERG'S GLOBAL DETERIORATION SCALE
STAGES OF DAT (DEMENTIA of the ALZHEIMER'S TYPE)
Framework is based on a system developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D., Clinical Director of the New York University School of Medicine's Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center.
click here for printer friendly version of this info

STAGE	LEVEL OF FUNCTIONING	CLINICAL DIAGNOSES
1	No Decrement	Normal Adult
2	Subjective deficit in word finding	Normal Aged Adult
3	Deficit in demanding employment settings	Compatible with incipient DAT
4	Assistance required with complex tasks (Handling finances)	Mild DAT
5	Assistance required in choosing clothing	Moderate DAT

6A	Assistance required in putting on clothing	Moderately severe DAT
6B	Assistance in bathing
6C	Assistance required with the mechanics of toileting
6D	Urinary incontinence
6E	Fecal incontinence

7A	Speech ability limited to approximately a half-dozen words	Severe DAT
7B	Vocabulary limited to a single word
7C	Ambulation lost
7D	Ability to sit up lost
7E	Ability to smile lost
7F	Consciousness lost

More information on Reisberg's Scale can be found at
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

Please visit our Resource Library for up-to-date information to help you better understand the condition.

Please visit our
Resource Library
for up-to-date information to help you better understand the condition.