Often referred to as the “long goodbye,” Alzheimer’s disease typically progresses in several stages: mild, moderate and severe. Each stage has its own unique set of challenges, and each person living with Alzheimer’s will experience symptoms — or progress through the stages — differently.
Here is what people may experience in each stage of the disease:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s:
An early stage of the disease is MCI due to Alzheimer’s. During this stage, a person may notice changes in their memory, thinking and reasoning. They will still be able to perform most of their daily responsibilities and activities.
Common symptoms of MCI due to Alzheimer’s include:
Forgetting important information such as appointments, conversations or recent events.
Difficulty with making sound decisions, judging the time or recalling a sequence of steps needed to complete a complex task.
Mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s:
Those with MCI due to Alzheimer’s typically progress to the next stage of the disease, often referred to as early-stage Alzheimer’s. A person living with mild dementia will start to experience symptoms that interfere with some daily activities. While they will still be able to perform many daily routines, these tasks may become more difficult over time. Friends, family or coworkers may notice changes.
Common difficulties in the early stage may include:
Problems coming up with the right word or name for something.
Trouble remembering people's names after being introduced.
Difficulty with familiar tasks.
Forgetting something that was just read.
Getting lost in familiar places.
Increased trouble with planning or organizing.
Moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s:
In the middle stage, symptoms are more noticeable and will interfere with many daily activities. This is typically the longest stage of the disease and can last for many years. A person living with moderate dementia may still recall significant details about themself and family, but gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable and assistance with daily tasks is required.
Challenges can include:
Forgetting events or their own personal history.
Feeling frustrated, angry or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.
Confusion about where they are or the day of the week.
Trouble controlling bladder and bowels.
Needing help to choose the right clothes for the weather or occasion.
Changes in sleep patterns. This may include sleeping during the day and restlessness at night.
A higher risk of wandering and becoming lost.
Personality and behavioral changes, such as becoming suspicious or delusional, believing that others are lying or repeating a behavior over and over.
Severe dementia due to Alzheimer's:
In the late stage, symptoms are severe and will interfere with most daily activities. People living with severe dementia lose the ability to carry on a conversation, respond to the environment and, eventually, control movement. Assistance or supervision is required to complete most daily personal care. People may be at higher risk of infections, especially pneumonia. Changes in physical abilities will also worsen, affecting the person's ability to walk, sit and, eventually, swallow.
Thanks to our supporters, we can be there to help the over 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and their nearly 12 million caregivers understand what to expect at each stage and provide resources to guide them through obstacles and plan for the future.
If you or your family needs support, we are here for you around the clock, 365 days a year. For more care and support tools and resources, visit alz.org/Help-Support or call our free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900). Helpline callers will be connected to a master's-level care consultant and receive decision-making support, crisis assistance and information regarding treatment, care and financial decisions.
Kind-hearted people like you also help us accelerate promising research that offers more insight into the progression of Alzheimer's, as well as develop new treatments in the search for a cure. To learn more about the progress our community has made possible, visit alz.org.
Wishing you the best today and every day.
Sincerely,
Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer and Medical Affairs Lead
P.S. Will you help us continue our momentum in the fight by making your first gift today? Your support means the world to us and those we help. With you by our side, we'll continue to work toward a cure we know is out there so that, one day, no one has to hear the words "You have Alzheimer's." Thank you in advance for fueling 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.
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.
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