The Sequential Phases of Dementia Explained
Dementia, a term that encompasses various cognitive disorders, affects individuals from mild to severe levels. This condition, used by medical professionals, caregivers, and family members, includes diseases such as Alzheimer's, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia.
Mild (Early) Stage
In the early stages of Dementia, symptoms may be subtle and hard to detect. Mild memory lapses, such as forgetting newly learned information, names, or recent conversations, are common. Difficulty finding the right words and frequent misplacing of items are also indicative of this stage.
Individuals in the early stage may experience a reduced ability in problem-solving, decision-making, and organizing daily tasks. They might ask the same questions repeatedly and show decreased motivation. Slight changes in mood, including withdrawal or irritability, are also observed. Despite these symptoms, the individual can still support themselves and maintain social connections, though symptoms might begin to affect daily activities subtly.
Moderate (Middle) Stage
As Dementia progresses to the moderate stage, symptoms become more pronounced. Forgetting personal information like addresses or names of close relatives is common. Individuals may lose track of dates, seasons, or familiar routes. Complex tasks like managing finances, cooking, or choosing appropriate clothing become challenging.
Communication difficulties and reasoning problems increase, leading to more significant behavioural and psychological symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, agitation, aggression, suspicion, and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there). Assistance with personal care such as bathing and grooming, and occasional loss of bladder or bowel control, may be required. Increased wandering due to disorientation is also a common occurrence.
Severe (Late) Stage
In the severe stage, communication becomes very limited, and the patient may be unable to speak or understand language. They lose the ability to walk or control bodily functions, becoming totally dependent on others for daily care, including hygiene.
Patients in the late stage may no longer recognize close family members, remember people or places, or form new memories. They require constant supervision, often requiring placement in professional care facilities.
In some cases, physical restraint mitts and belts may be recommended for Stage 5 patients who pose a physical threat to others. It is crucial to note that these measures are used as a last resort and only when necessary to ensure the safety of the patient and those around them.
Each stage can last up to 2-8 years, with the final stage lasting until the patient's death. Understanding the stages of Dementia can help families and caregivers provide the best possible care and support for their loved ones.
Sources:
[1] Alzheimer's Society. (2021). Understanding Dementia. [online] Available at: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/what-is-dementia
[3] Mayo Clinic. (2020). Dementia: Symptoms & Causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20350895
[5] National Institute on Aging. (2021). Alzheimer's Disease: Stages of the Disease. [online] Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publications/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet
Science has made significant strides in understanding the health-and-wellness issue of dementia, a mental-health disorder that affects various cognitive functions. In the early stages of dementia, subtle symptoms like mild memory lapses and reduced problem-solving abilities might be detected, while in the moderate stage, individuals may lose track of personal information and experience communication difficulties, mood swings, and behavioral and psychological symptoms. As dementia progresses to the severe stage, patients become totally dependent on others for care and may require placement in professional care facilities, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive health-and-wellness management for this mental-health concern.
