If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with dementia, it could be useful to understand how this disease progresses. Sadly, dementia is a disease that gets worse over time and there is no cure for it. However, planning for each stage of the disease can help to make the disease easier to manage – for you and your loved ones. This post explores the three stages in detail and what to expect.
Early stage dementia
Dementia is often first diagnosed in the early stage. This is where symptoms are mild and an individual can often still live independently.
During this stage, a person will show frequent signs of forgetfulness. They may repeat themselves during conversations, misplace things, get lost in familiar places or have trouble learning to do new tasks. These symptoms may be pointed out by other people, or may be picked up by the person themselves.
It’s important to cherish this stage if you or your loved ones have dementia. While a person with early stage dementia may display small personality changes and struggle more with certain tasks, they will have no problem recognising loved ones and will still be able to have conversations. For one’s safety, it could be important to retire and quit driving during this stage. Try to establish a routine, stay social and try to keep up safe hobbies.
Middle stage dementia
Middle stage dementia is often the longest stage. This is where forgetfulness intensifies and when perceptions of time and place can become more distorted. This can be a much more frightening and confusing stage for the person with dementia and they may start to forget familiar faces and may talk about going back home when they are home. Such feelings often become more intense in the evening, which is sometimes known as sundowning.
A person with middle stage dementia is more likely to forget they have dementia. They are also likely to struggle with more basic tasks like getting dressed, cooking and cleaning – and may need help doing these tasks. Family and friends often have to step in to provide this help, however hiring a professional carer to come periodically throughout the week may also be an option.
Long term memories may be affected in this stage and faces start to get mixed up, but there will still likely be small windows of lucidity. These will reduce as time goes on, so it’s important to embrace them. Regular socialisation with loved ones may help those with middle stage dementia to remember faces and be able to still engage in conversation.
Late stage dementia
This is the final stage of dementia when symptoms are at their most severe. People with late stage dementia may fail to recognise loved ones at this stage and may resort back to a childlike state. Help will often be needed with the most basic tasks from bathing to feeding. The ability to walk and talk may start to decline during this stage, but this is not always the case.
It is important to plan for this stage, as around-the-clock care may be required. A lot of loved ones cannot provide this care themselves and cannot afford a full time carer, so a care home is often the best solution. The likes of Ashberry Care Homes have several homes that cater to those with dementia.
It is important to find a local care home that has a good reputation. Financial support is available for those who cannot afford to pay care home fees out of their own pocket.
Conclusion
The three states of dementia can be summed up like this. If they are able to still live independently to a degree, they have early stage dementia. If they need regular help with tasks, they have middle stage dementia. If they need full time care, they likely have late stage dementia. There are many much more detailed guides that can be found online at sites like Dementia UK. Make sure to take advantage of these resources to help you prepare for each stage.
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