How Alzheimers Disease Progresses ( and What We Know About it in 2021)

Alzheimer’s Disease is a difficult subject to discuss. It can be personally devastating to the person afflicted with the disease, and it presents an emotional challenge for loved ones caring for them. However, Alzheimer’s Disease is also one of the most common diseases in America today. Approximately 5 million Americans are living with AD according to The Alzheimer’s Association (2017). This number is expected to increase by 20% over the next 10 years which will make it 6.3 million people affected by this debilitating illness in 2025. Given these statistics, it becomes important that we understand what exactly Alzheimer’s Disease does and how best to care for those who have been diagnosed with the disease as well as their families.

The following article discusses what happens when a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, the stages of the disease, and how to best cope.

What Happens When You Are Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s Disease?

When a person is first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, they may experience a wide range of emotions. They may feel scared, alone, or even angry. It is important to remember that these feelings are normal and that there is support available for both the person with AD and their loved ones.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease means that a person’s brain has been gradually deteriorating. The disease affects different people in different ways, but it always results in a decline in cognitive abilities. This may manifest as problems with memory, reasoning, communication, or judgment.

The first symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease can be subtle and easily overlooked by those experiencing them as well as those around them. For instance, the person may forget things more frequently. They may experience difficulty completing simple household tasks such as cooking or cleaning, or they may have trouble remembering to take their medication. These changes in behavior are normal as we age but for someone with AD, it signifies a mental decline.

“Symptoms vary from one person to another depending upon many factors including rate of disease progression and other health problems.” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017).

The progression

As the disease progresses, it becomes harder for a loved one to perform daily tasks and maintain healthy relationships. The person who has been diagnosed with AD will enter into the early stages of the disease and may become forgetful of both distant and recent events. Their personality will change as well, becoming more irritable and restless. They may not recognize loved ones or they may lose the ability to communicate with them at all.

“As Alzheimer’s Disease progresses into later stages, people experience greater memory loss and changes in thinking abilities.” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017).

There are five distinct stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: pre-symptomatic phase, early stage, middle stage, late stage, and end-stage. The time span for each of these stages can vary from person to person but it is important to know what happens during each phase of the illness so that we can support those suffering from AD and their families.

Pre-symptomatic phase

The pre-symptomatic phase is the earliest stage of Alzheimer’s Disease. It can last for years or even decades before any symptoms are noticeable. During this time, the brain is slowly deteriorating and the person may feel no different than they did before. However, there are changes happening in the brain that will eventually lead to cognitive decline.

Early-stage

In the early stage of Alzheimer’s Disease, symptoms become more noticeable. The person afflicted with AD may experience memory loss, confusion, and difficulty completing tasks. This can be a difficult time for loved ones who are trying to care for them as they struggle to understand what is happening. The person with AD may also become agitated and restless as their condition worsens.

Middle stage

The middle stage of Alzheimer’s Disease is a difficult time for both the person with AD and their loved ones. The person with AD may be unable to communicate or take care of themselves independently. They may experience changes in mood, including depression and paranoia, and they may become more confused and agitated. This can be a challenging time for caregivers who are trying to provide support while also juggling other responsibilities.

Late-stage

In the late stage of Alzheimer’s Disease, the person is largely confined to bed and requires constant care. They may not recognize loved ones or know where they are. Their physical health will also decline as the disease progresses. In the end stage of Alzheimer’s Disease, the person is typically in a coma and may lose the ability to swallow. They cannot communicate or care for themselves in any way.

Their memory will continue to decline until, eventually, they are not able to remember things that happened only moments earlier. This can be very difficult for loved ones who do not know how much time is left with their loved ones