Stage One

As the patient has no memory problems and other visual symptoms the person on this stage is called mentally healthy, or normal

Stage Two

Difficult to identified (both by your doctor and family)

The stage includes the symptoms most older people have – mild insignificant memory loss of unimportant information, such as ‘where are my glasses?’ or ‘what is the name of the city we were last Christmas?’ and problems in concentration. People on this stage also experience the problem in finding the correct word while speaking

Stage Three

In some patients it can be identified, but in most cases at least half of the stage (2 to 4 years) must pass to be obvious (problem issues then can be tested)

(this stage may even not progress, but if it does - its length is generally 7 years)

• remember names
• remember new information
• words
• learning new skills
• planning
• organizing big events

This stage also includes the problems with names and words, plus some others. It starts difficult to work and perform your general duties. It turns a big problem to master some new skills if it is a job requirement, for example new computer program or some new device. If you are not working you may notice it is difficult for you to plan complex event or to organize your grandson’s birthday party.  It may be rather confusing, so you may feel depressed. If you are unemployed and don’t need to perform complex tasks you and your family won’t notice the problems and the disorder won’t be identified.

Stage Four

The stage may become obvious for other people, can be identified with family and doctor (even in the beginning of the stage)

• basic mathematics
• remembering information
• everyday duties
• in writing the correct date or amount on the check
• shopping

At this stage you can’t fully (or totally) remember the last or current events (conversation) and information about your family, everyday duties (cooking, cleaning, driving, shopping) or the one you’ve recently read. Despite all the problems occurred the person with Alzheimer’s is still able to live alone, without special help (though with special adjustments, such as lists with tips to remember on your fridge, reminding calls of someone from your family, special help from the relatives in managing financial issues, especially in paying bills, rent, ordering the food in case of dining out, etc.)  

The psychological state is characterized with the term ‘withdrawal’, as he or she has no emotions and no concerns at all. The person also denies the problem and feels depressed because can’t cope with the activities that were easy done earlier. Very often this person hides the problem from his family and even from himself, first of all he or she stops participate in conversations.

Stage Five

• remembering personal contact information
• disoriented in place and time
• basic math
• everyday activities

all these problems happens occasionally (people sometimes may remember all these things)

People at this stage require special assistance in performing every day duties (and function in the community). They may forget where they are, what date is it or what they wanted to do in the kitchen. All personal information is very difficult for them to recall (phone number, address), though they still remember main facts about family history. People with Alzheimer’s at stage 5 can dress themselves, but find difficulties in choosing proper clothing to the weather or to the occasion (they may wear the same clothing day after day). They can eat themselves, but require someone to cook the food or buy it. All financial issues should be made by someone else as well.

Stage Six

• all recent events (and past)
• remembering family history
• getting dressed
• daily hygiene (bathe and toilet)
• urinary and fecal incontinence
• basic math (counting from 10 to 1)

People with Alzheimer’s at this stage require permanent assistance. They remember their own name, but experience great problems in recalling all the family information. They need help in most everyday activities – getting dressed (still can dress themselves but need help not to put the arms into wrong sleeve or not to put the clothing on backward), choosing clothing (to the weather and the occasion), going to the bathroom (and taking the bathroom – need help in adjusting the temperature of the water), brushing their teeth. Very often they forget to flush the toilet. When urinary and fecal incontinence occur they need help in controlling all the process (and helping all over the process).

The person may repeat certain phrases or behavior. In new places they feel disoriented and lost (very often with panic). They can still remember familiar faces in close family, but not their names. Sometimes may confuse their wife’s face with mother’s.

As for the psychological state – person with Alzheimer’s feel suspicious, disturbed, frustrated, lack of emotions (or angry), can experience hallucinations. They are extremely feared of being alone.

Stage Seven

Last stage (final) – Late stage of Alzheimer’s

Approximately 1-2.5 years (the better the assistance is the more time is left)

• speaking
• responding to the environment
• controlling movements
• swallowing
• body movements
• smiling

Requires total support! Nothing is done without help at this stage – eating, getting dressed, using the toilet, speaking, walking, etc. They are able to communicate with the help of few short words or just with cries and moans.

When the patient looses its ability to walk, speak and ambulate independently, he or she looses its ability to sit up and remain sitting, then to hold up the head, then cannot move a major joint more than half way (very often with great pain). After that (if the person is alive) 'primitive' reflexes occur (grasp reflex, sucking reflex and others).