Dealing with an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis in a loved one can be emotional, stressful, and overwhelming. Your loved one may develop symptoms gradually, or they may seem to appear overnight.

In most cases, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia progress gradually through three stages.

Understanding the different stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia and the symptoms that may develop can help you give your loved one the highest level of support possible.

You should also be aware of the signs it’s time to consider in-home Alzheimer’s care or memory care and when it’s time for assisted living placement or hospice care.

Here is your guide to understanding the stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia and supporting your loved one through each stage.

Early Warning Signs of Dementia or Alzheimer’s

Recognizing the early warning signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s can help you get your loved one the care they need as soon as possible.

If your loved one’s behavior, memory, or health has changed, schedule an appointment with their physician to determine if they have an underlying illness or medical condition affecting their health.

These are the earliest warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s:

Worsening memory problems, such as forgetting recent events, misplacing items, having trouble remembering names and dates, and forgetting appointments
Trouble finding the words for common objects or calling things by the wrong name
Vision problems, such as blurry vision or depth perception issues
Poor judgment and compulsive behaviors
Withdrawal from social events or communication with friends and family
Trouble taking care of pets
Mobility issues
Personality changes and mood swings
Repetitive asking of questions
Confusion or suspicion

The best way to support your loved one through these early warning signs is to be patient and compassionate. Treat them the same way you always have, give them some space to process their emotions, and keep track of their symptoms.

Schedule a visit with their physician and speak with the physician in private to give them a list of your loved one’s symptoms.

Early Stages of Dementia and Alzheimer’s

In the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, your loved one’s symptoms may present sporadically. They may be mild and hard to recognize, and you may think your loved one is just being moody or having a temporary period of depression or anxiety. However, if you’re aware of the symptoms associated with the early stages of dementia, you will be able to recognize them more easily and provide your loved one with the support they need:

Trouble finding the right word or name for something
Forgetting the names of new people
Trouble performing detailed or multi-step tasks
Trouble with fine motor skills and balance
Forgetting dates, events, and information
Misplacing objects
Trouble planning or organizing things
Expressing paranoia or suspicion

The best way to support your loved one through the early stage of Alzheimer’s and dementia is to be patient, compassionate, and watchful.

Check in with your loved one regularly and see if they need anything, and let friends and family know what is going on so that they can also provide extra support.

Your loved one may still be able to function independently and take part in social activities; however, you should keep an eye on them and take note of any progressive or worsening symptoms so that you can adjust the level of attention and care you are providing.

Middle Stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

During the middle stage of Alzheimer’s and dementia, your loved one will need more support and more attention. Be mindful of their day-to-day behavior and either check in with them every day or have someone stay in the house with them so they won’t be alone.

They may need extra help with driving, shopping, meal preparation, medication reminders, mobility, memory, and the activities of daily living.

Keep in mind that everyone progresses differently, and your loved one may fluctuate between more than one stage at the same time.

They may also have symptoms that progress in a different order than the ones listed here:

Forgetfulness about personal history or historical events
Becoming moody or withdrawn
Unable to handle busy, noisy, or challenging situations or environments
Trouble recalling their address, telephone number, birth date, and other personal information
Having trouble choosing weather-appropriate clothing
Forgetting what they were on their way to do
Confusion about the date or where they are
Bowel and bladder issues
Changes in sleep patterns, insomnia, or restlessness
A tendency to wander or get lost
Personality and behavioral changes like suspicion, delusion, paranoia, compulsive behavior, anxiety, watchfulness, restfulness, anger, and antisocial behavior

The best way to support your loved one during the middle stage of Alzheimer’s and dementia is to stay vigilant. Consider hiring an in-home caregiver who specializes in Alzheimer’s care ordementia care.

An in-home caregiver will give your loved one the freedom and comfort of staying in their own home, but will offer added security and safety to reduce your loved one’s risk of accidents or injuries.

If your loved one has begun wandering, it’s important to make sure friends, family, neighbors, and their doctor know. You might even consider letting your local police department know.

You should also schedule a home safety evaluation and make changes to your home to reduce your loved one’s risk of a fall or injury.

You should also seek out support services for yourself, such as a support group or assistance from your local church, temple, or other religious organization.

If you are caring for your loved one yourself, seek out caregiver resources and schedule respite care to protect your own physical and mental health.

When you make sure you get the support you need, you can better take care of your loved one and you’re in a better position to recognize changes in their behavior or health.

Late Stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

The late stage of Alzheimer’s and dementia is considered the final stage of the disease. In this stage, your loved one’s symptoms will be severe and they may need around-the-clock care.

An in-home caregiver may not be enough, and you might not be able to provide the level of care they need on your own. You may need to consider transitioning to an assisted living Alzheimer’s care facility or dementia care facility.

The most common symptoms your loved one may have during the late stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia are:

Mobility issues or inability to walk, sit, move around, get in and out of bed, get to and from the toilet, dress themselves, or swallow
Inability to feed themselves, take medications on time, bathe, or communicate
Frequent falls or injuries
Lack of awareness of their surroundings or awareness of the date, time, or place
Increased wandering
Increased personality changes and aggression or anger
Frequent injuries or health problems

The best way to support your loved one through the late stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia is to be aware of significant declines in memory and cognitive skills, challenges to mobility and safety, personality changes, and your loved one’s day-to-day needs and care.

Try to stay patient and remember that your loved one’s behavior is not personal, and they are not in control of their words or actions. Give yourself the time and space you need to take care of your physical and mental health and decompress so that you can better care for your loved one.

Be realistic about the need for assisted living orin-home hospice care for your loved one. Putting off the decision can have a negative effect on your loved one’s health, comfort, and safety, and can also put added stress and strain on you and your family.

Schedule a Consultation for Alzheimer’s Care in Southern Arizona

At Placita In Home Care, we offer specialized, highly individualized memory care and Alzheimer’s care in Southern Arizona.

Our in-home caregivers have extensive experience and are highly skilled and trained in providing quality, compassionate in-home care services.

We also offer complimentary home safety evaluations and assisted living placement services, as well as in-home hospice care services for advanced or late-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Call us now or contact us online to schedule a consultation.