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Get the facts about disease progression
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What are the Stages of Alzheimer's Disease?
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Learn the facts about Alzheimer's.
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Dear Friend,
Alzheimer's typically progresses in three stages: early, middle and late (sometimes referred to as mild, moderate and severe in a medical context). However, Alzheimer's affects people in different ways, and each person may experience dementia symptoms — or progress through the stages — differently. |
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Early-stage Alzheimer's (mild):
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A person may function independently at this stage. They may still drive, work and socialize. However, the person may experience memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.
Symptoms may not be widely apparent at this stage, but family and close friends may take notice and a doctor would be able to identify symptoms using certain diagnostic tools.
Some people with early-stage Alzheimer's may be eligible to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments that can change the course of disease progression.
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Middle-stage Alzheimer's (moderate):
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Typically the longest stage, middle-stage Alzheimer's can last for many years. As the disease progresses and the symptoms become more pronounced, the person living with Alzheimer's will require a greater level of care. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can also make it difficult for the person to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance.
In this stage, the person living with Alzheimer's can still participate in daily activities with assistance.
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Late-stage Alzheimer's (severe):
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In the final stage of the disease, dementia symptoms are severe. Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, significant personality changes may take place, requiring individuals to need extensive care.
While someone living with Alzheimer's may not be able to initiate much engagement during the late stage, they can still benefit from interaction in ways that are appropriate, like listening to relaxing music or receiving reassurance through gentle touch.
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We want you to have all the facts on Alzheimer's and all other dementia. The Alzheimer's Association provides education and resources on everything around the science of Alzheimer's, in addition to our work accelerating research and providing care and support. You can find more at alz.org.
If you or your family needs support, the Alzheimer's Association is here for you. For more resources and information on care and support, visit alz.org/Help-Support or call our free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900).
Wishing you the best today and every day.
Take care.
Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer and Medical Affairs Lead
P.S. Your support means the world to us. Thank you in advance for supporting our mission to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Will you help further our mission by making your first gift today?
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Your donation will strengthen our efforts to advance Alzheimer's care, support and research. From face-to-face support to online education programs and promising global research initiatives, your gift makes a difference in the lives of all those affected by Alzheimer's and other dementias in your community and across the world. Thank you for your continued support.
Alzheimer's Association Home Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601
© 2024 Alzheimer's Association. All rights reserved.
800.272.3900 | alz.org® | Donate
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