Did you know that in 2020, there were over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia? This number is estimated to double every 20 years. This means there will be around 78 million people suffering from dementia in 2030 and around 139 million in 2050.
Dementia is one of the most feared chronic diseases of old age, as it impacts every aspect of your life, from a person’s ability to live independently to a person’s ability to maintain relationships. The signs are subtle. Maybe your loved one forgot where they left their keys, or they went for their appointment with the doctor on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. It might begin as ordinary memory loss often related to aging.
Hence, as a caregiver, it is necessary to understand the various stages of Dementia so you are better able to provide the support your loved ones need.
This step-by-step caregivers guide is going to look into the 7 stages of dementia, offering insights and practical tips to help you deal with the challenges of caregiving.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not actually a disease; it is rather a cluster of symptoms that mostly have an effect on memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform daily activities. These symptoms can have a number of causes. Depending on the cause, dementia may progress in a number of ways. However, in most cases, dementia worsens over time.
It is possible to manage dementia; it can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and support, caregivers can provide what is needed by individuals suffering from dementia so they can lead a happy and fulfilling life.
What are the Stages of Dementia?
There are seven stages of dementia, each with its distinct symptoms. These dementia stages can be categorized into three phases, i.e., pre-, middle, and last-stage dementia.
It is also important to note that most of the time, dementia is not diagnosed until stage 4. The first three stages are pre-dementia stages, where the symptoms are not yet severe enough.
Moreover, there is no set timeline for how long any of the seven dementia stages will last. It is different for each individual; hence, understanding the symptoms of each stage will help you support your loved ones as the condition progresses.
The seven stages of dementia include:
Stage 1: No Cognitive Impairment
At this stage, there are little to no noticeable symptoms of dementia. There might be a few episodes of forgetfulness, but they won’t affect the individual. The individual would continue to function normally and be able to complete their daily tasks independently, without any assistance – leading a good quality life.
Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline
At stage 2, an individual will experience mild cognitive decline, such as minor memory lapses, which might often be dismissed as usual. For example, a person may forget familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Such incidents won’t significantly impact the individual’s life; they can still take care of themselves and live independently.
Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline
This is one of the early stages of dementia when you might actually notice that something is wrong with your loved one. At this stage, the symptoms start getting severe and affect an individual’s daily life. Rather than just forgetting appointments or some familiar words, the individual would now start forgetting his tasks and his train of thought, and they might even get lost in familiar settings.
Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline
This is usually the stage when the condition gets diagnosed because now dementia starts interfering with a person’s ability to remember and carry out daily tasks on their own. A person in stage 4 of dementia might forget recent events, would experience short-term memory loss, and would not be able to move around in new places alone, as they would often experience a sort of confusion, forgetting where they are and what they are doing.
An individual in the fourth stage would need help carrying out daily tasks, such as cooking, paying bills, etc. They might even lose interest in activities they were previously fond of, would withdraw socially, and may even become moody.
Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline
This stage is specifically difficult for the family members, as now both the long and short-term memory of their loved one would be affected. They might start forgetting the names and identities of families or friends; they may not even remember people they don’t see often. It is also possible that they might mistake one person for another. People with stage 5 dementia may even forget important details such as their address and phone number. Moreover, they may experience a severe emotional impact of this condition and might even feel overly anxious, depressed, angry, and moody.
Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline
A person with stage 6 dementia needs significant support and dementia care because of their inability to perform even the simplest of daily tasks and activities. They would need help with basic tasks such as eating or maintaining their hygiene. Such individuals might not be able to speak or communicate as well because of their inability to remember words or organize sentences.
This stage also affects long-term memory, which means that the individual would not be able to remember significant events or identify even their immediate family members.
Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline
The last stage of dementia is really severe; the person would need help with every essential task. They would not be able to eat or maintain their hygiene. They would even need help using the restroom. At times, they would even forget to swallow or resist eating, which would result in severe weight loss and dehydration, making them more susceptible to infections.
How to Support Your Loved One Through Each Stage?
Dealing with dementia is challenging for both the family and the individual. Although an individual may not need regular care after the initial diagnosis, this can change over time as the condition progresses and the symptoms worsen.
Here is how you can support your loved one through each dementia stage.
Stage 1
This is the early stage of dementia, where an individual may not experience any symptoms or cognitive decline. In this stage, a person can function rather independently, with little or no care and assistance. This is the stage to
- Talk with your loved one and plan the type of care they’d want if the symptoms worsen
- Encourage them to stay active and have them participate in various activities, such as solving puzzles or reading.
- Take them for regular check-ups to monitor their health.
Stage 2
Here is how you can care for your loved ones with stage 2 dementia:
- Encourage them to stay active.
- Have them participate in different activities such as gardening, painting, etc.
- Take them for regular check-ups.
Stage 3
If your loved one has mild cognitive impairment, here is how you can support them.
- Reduce clutter in your house, especially in areas that are used most often. Reducing clutter will help your loved ones focus and not get lost.
- Use a large hanging, printable calendar to keep track of appointments.
- Use a medicine dispenser for daily medications.
- Encourage them to participate in social activities to maintain their cognitive and motor function.
Stage 4
This stage is particularly difficult for family and friends, as the individual is usually in denial about their condition even though the symptoms are obvious. Here is how you can support your loved ones in this stage:
- Encourage your loved one to get a diagnosis, as an early diagnosis is the key to managing dementia.
- At this stage, your loved one might feel disoriented, so it could be a good idea to label important places and items in the house.
- If your loved one needs support with basic tasks, consider hiring an in-home dementia care provider. An in-home caregiver will support your loved ones throughout the day and will help them manage their daily tasks, maintaining a level of independence.
Stage 5
Here is how you can support your loved ones with stage 5 dementia:
- Help them get the care they need to carry out daily tasks.
- Be patient with them; if they don’t recognize you, identify yourself, and don’t argue with them, as it’s possible they invent stories to connect events or pieces of their memory.
Stage 6
Here is how you can support your loved ones with stage 6 dementia:
- Ensure that your house is well-lit, especially in the areas where they are more likely to fall, such as stairs or hallways.
- Keep the house locked so that they don’t wander off.
- Create a calm environment for them. You can do so by removing clutter and distractions from your house.
- Collaborate with their care provider to create a routine for them.
Stage 7
Caring for individuals with stage 7 dementia usually means ensuring they are comfortable and that all their physical needs are met. Here is how you can do so:
- Since individuals with stage 7 dementia are unable to move on their own, you need to ensure that they keep on changing sides so as to prevent bed sores.
- Prepare soft food for them that they can easily chew and swallow.
- Get full-time support for them.
A Quick Review
Caring for your loved one with dementia can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it on your own. With in-home care services like True Homecare, you can get the support you need to deal with the challenges of dementia.
Contact True Homecare today to learn more about their in-home dementia care services and discover how they can help your family find peace of mind.
FAQs
Q: Is early diagnosis beneficial in the case of dementia?
A: Yes, an early diagnosis can help with dementia. Although there is no cure for dementia, with an early diagnosis, you can have a plan to manage the symptoms and slow down the progression.
Q: What is the life expectancy of someone with dementia?
A: The life expectancy of individuals with dementia varies widely. There have been cases where individuals have lived four to eight years after a diagnosis, while in other cases, individuals live longer, i.e., up to 20 years. In the end, it all comes down to your symptoms and how well you are managing them.
Q: When should professional dementia care be considered?
A: You should consider opting for professional dementia care when it becomes challenging for your loved one to complete their daily tasks independently and when safety becomes a concern.
Q: Can dementia care be customized?A: Yes, at True Homecare, you can customize your care plan to fit your needs and requirements.
