No one likes to be scared.
With confusion and uncertainty, fear is sure to follow. For people with Alzheimer's or dementia, daily tasks and even seeing close friends and family can be stressful because they no longer recognize once-familiar faces and places. Additionally, this is a disease that slowly gets worse over time.
When your loved one has Alzheimer’s they will need your help. As their condition worsens, they will require more and more assistance to get through their daily tasks while maintaining their independence and dignity. This article will help you understand the basics of Alzheimer’s and the different stages of the disease.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a disease that impacts memory and other cognitive abilities. It is the most common cause of dementia. This disease is irreversible.
People with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will experience worsening symptoms as it is a degenerative disease. At the more advanced stages, caregivers will need to provide progressively increasing levels of support. We can break Alzheimer’s into three levels - mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild Alzheimer’s
At the mild stage of Alzheimer's, people can live independently with few changes. Professional and social activities will still be in their reach. Patients will begin to struggle to concentrate or remembering events that just happened. Words and names will begin to escape them. Writing may become a challenge.
Moderate Alzheimer’s
Now the memory struggles will become more noticeable. Look for intense memory loss, greater confusion, and even physical changes. These are some more symptoms:
- Challenge to remember loved ones and friends
- Challenge following instructions
- Trouble getting dressed and performing daily tasks
- Trouble getting to and staying sleep
- Wandering
- Incontinence (loss of control for peeing or pooping)
Severe Alzheimer’s
At this final stage, people with severe Alzheimer’s disease will need constant help and supervision to get through all of their daily tasks. Sitting up in bed and eating will be tasks beyond them without help. Conversation, chewing, and swallowing will all become challenges. At this point, patients may forget their surroundings and everyone in their life.
Caring for Your Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s Disease
Learning to care for your loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease is a long process. Make sure to pick up all the facts and knowledge you can along the way toward helping them live the best life possible. You may need some extra help from experienced caregivers - that is where National Home Care comes in to help. Our staff of caring helpers will set up a plan for helping your loved one lead a safe healthy life. Give us a call today to discuss your loved one’s needs.
