I am so new to this, but I keep reading about different stages that our loved ones are in. How do you determine what stage is which? and how many stages are there?
This is how I handled it when I was new. I started with stage 1. That is the baseline stage and it is the stage most caregivers are in. Normal.
Starting with stage 2 I looked to see if my husband had any of the symptoms. He had all of them. Went on to stage 3 and repeat until you get to a stage where your LO has some of the symptoms, but not all of them. That is the stage they actually are in.
So, my husband has ALL of the stage 5 symptoms and a few stage 6 symptoms (mostly cognitive or language but no stage 6 physical symptoms) and I say he is in early stage 6. That also fits with the last mini-mental test he took. According to it he was almost, but not quite, profoundly demented.
According to the alz.org my husband is stage 7. I feel staging is different for those with FTD. My husband can sometimes feed himself and sometimes shuffle walk. Incontinent and dependent in ADL's. As he is not yet bed bound and can remain erect in a chair without support I hesitate to stage him at 7. Or maybe I just don't want to.
Please log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - look on the left side of the website, and scroll down to "Newly Diagnosed/New Member". Scroll down to #12, everything under it, and then #13. Those are excellent resources for "stages", but it is important to remember than everyone who has AD is different. People jump in and out and back and forth between stages and levels of functioning until the very end.
Joan is right about them jumping in and out of stages. When I noticed that my DH was sun-downing again, I almost freaked out, I thought that when that was over it would be over. NOT SO, I was ready to throw in the towel. But I'm still here and holding my head above water.
My DH has must about all of the stage 5 symptoms. None of the physical symptoms of stage 6. His memory is really getting bad. If I ask him to get me a glass of water, he's so anxious to do something constructive. He leaps up from his chair and heads for the kitchen. Two minutes later he's back--sometimes with a bottle of liquid detergent, a loaf of bread or nothing. He always looks so pleased with himself. I just say 'thank you' return the stuff and get my own glass of water. So sad.
That look he gets when he things he's done something productive just breaks my heart. I always try to praise him up. He's like a very young child. Very loving and affectionate. Wants to please. Does cute funny little things. Plays with the cat and pulls strings for him. etc.
Mawzy--I enjoyed your comments. My husband too is sweet and childlike. He practically preens when I praise him. He espicially likes small surprises ( a piece of candy or an unexpected drive thru the park )Our biggest problem at the moment is his hypersexuality. An affectionate hug turns into something else. My way of dealing with this is a threatened pinch. I've never followed thru, but would if needed. I guess we're lucky to be where we are right now so I try to enjoy this time as much as possible. One last thing.... I would trade that sweet child for my fisety husband in a heartbeat.