The stage of Alzheimer’s disease is often determined by doctors by conducting certain tests on the person who has the ailment. After the results are derived and analyzed doctors will then be able to determine the stage basing on the symptoms of Alzheimer combined with the test results. A complete diagnosis for Alzheimer’s is done after conducting a basic physical examination which will include assessment tests that are used to determine the amount of memory loss. This is also conducted to check on the mental functions of the brain and the central nervous system. The severity of the brain’s deterioration can be mapped using this method and can also help doctors in determining the stage where the individual belongs which is divided into three which are mild, moderate, and severe.
When a person enters the third stage of the disease it is expected that the damage of the brain cells is now widespread. It is at this point that full-time care would then be required to be applied on the individual since he will be having a hard time to do even the most simple daily activities. This is the stage where you can expect a special someone to be transformed into a complete stranger brought about by the severity of the symptoms they experience.
This disease shows its destructiveness in progression during the last stage. Due to an almost complete loss of brain function and memory in this stage, patients will lose the ability to care for themselves. This is considered to be the most difficult stage of the disease for both the patient and his support unit which could consist of his family and the medical staff. The onslaught of the symptoms in this stage of the disease is a very devastating experience for friends, families, and the patients’ caregivers. This is the time when family members are expected to become so emotional not just due to the fact that they are no longer recognized by their loved one but also with the fact that being on the last stage means that the life of the patient is also expected to end after a short period of time.
During the last stage, severe symptoms are observed such as inability to feed themselves, speak or to walk. For their own safety, persons with Alzheimer’s disease at this stage are closely monitored 24 hours a day.
During the early stages, the areas of the brain that gets affected first are the ones that control memory and thinking skills. But during the progress of the disease as it goes from one stage to another, the other regions of the brain slowly gets affected as well where brain cells start to die in almost all regions which causes the severe manifestations.
It is common knowledge that early symptoms of Alzheimer can be confused with changes that we normally undergo due to aging. It is very important to know the difference since this disease is definitely not a normal part of aging and it is better if the disease is detected earlier than later.
