These comments were started under a different topic, so I am moving them to this one. Anyone who has information on the 7 stages of Alzheimer's Disease or what to expect in each one, please post here.
Comment Author kelly5000 CommentTime 1 hour ago edit delete Hi Anna:
I'm just wondering where you go to check on the stages. I asked DH's neurologist once, and he said there aren't numbered stages, just mild, moderate, severe.
Comment Author inge CommentTime 21 minutes ago edit delete
I really don't know how helpful it is to be hung up on "stages". Everyone is unique with this disease and there is so much overlapping. It certainly helps to read all we can and be prepared but as I said not everyone will have the exact same issues.
Different docs use different stages. Common is the 7 stages, but many just go w/mild, moderate & severe--3 stages. Remember that they are not carved in stone. Behaviors often overlap in the stages. Some people never do everything. All it does, essentially, is give the doc & family a general idea of the progress of the disease. Some people go thru them in a few years, others last for more than 20. You know, some people die from cancer in 6 months & others last 40 years and cancer is much more understood than AD. As Inge has stated, it is not terribly useful to get hung up on stages. Just stay flexible, solve each challenge as best you can when it occurs. And stick together, no one can help you more than the spouses who have been thru it or are going thru it now.
As for the stages, I haven't been given a stage for my DH. I actually believe he is in early stage 6 because of his cognitive impairment, but the damage for him is more severe in his memory and executive functions. He can still talk and muddles through things acting like he knows what is happening around him. When filling out a questionnaire for the "specialist" appointment today (the appointment is on 11-6, but I was starting early), he said that he is having hearing problems. What he said is that he doesn't hear or understand what people are saying. What he does not understand is that it is most likely that he is hearing, but not understanding. Also, his speech is beginning to slur and blur more. He is starting to have problems with picking the right clothes, has sporadic grooming habits, and struggles with activities of daily liviing. He is, however, still amicable. Thank God!!!
Comment Author Starling Comment Time 12 minutes ago edited
Someone gave me a bunch of alternate sites for the stages other than the one at the Alzheimer's Association. The one at the AA site doesn't talk about language and cognition much. You go from mild word finding problems in 5 to less than 6 words in 7. But at other sites, they talk more about cognition and language. He is definitely there.
He is definitely past the mild word finding stage. He is also an 11 on the 50 point extended mini-mental. He guessed the year correctly, so he didn't end up as a 10. The final, Profoundly Demented Stage, starts at 10.
In addition if he is not feeling well I get some obvious stage 6 symptoms, and some show up even when he is fine. He "discovers" me in another room. He has forgotten that I have not left the house. He follows me around a lot. He gets agitated if I leave him alone in the house to do errands. He came back from one walk listing on one side and shuffling when he first caught the current cold. The shuffling lasted the rest of the day. And on one occasion he did not recognize me - he didn't know that I was his wife. I really don't know if he knows my name because he rarely uses it.
He still showers, but I have to tell him it is time to do it. I have to put out all of his clothes because he doesn't know what is appropriate to wear. Today it was 75 degrees outside and he wanted to wear an undershirt AND a long sleeved shirt because a couple of days ago, when it was in the 50s outside, that is what he needed to wear. I know he still cuts his own toenails because he needed me to find the clipper for him today when he took his shower. I'm not sure he is soaping up his bath sponge, but since I soap it up every time I take a shower, it is probably OK. He is right on the edge of not being able to do any of those things. It could happen tomorrow.
He has ALL of the stage 5 symptoms and just hints of stage 6. So early stage 6.
And from Nikki's sources, he has lost several things that are considered stage 6 losses.
For example he stopped brushing his teeth (mid-stage 6) and went back to constantig picking at them instead (which is probably how they handled things when he was a child in Europe). And I have not figured out any way to get him to start again. I'm just doing dentist visits instead as long as he will cooperate. (And just got the card saying it was time for appointments again.)
He puts his clothes on correctly (which is supposed to be early stage 6), but he has stopped controlling the temperature of the water in his shower correctly (which is later in the stage 6 progression). He won't let me fix that for him, so I took care of it by re-setting the hot water heater so it won't scald him. He always liked the water hotter than I did, so it is now at a safe temperature even if it is way too hot for me.
Experienced care-giving spouse ------I have a question (again--lol)-----my hubby is in what I believe is stage 3 (MCI)----he drives, does the bills, and cooks......his temper is the main issue and hopefully by being back on the Zolfot (100mg) he should be okay....I have family out of state (some coming in from EU)---I want to see them.....can I safetly leave him alone? I asked the doctor and he didn't think this was an issue except for the medicines (making sure they are taken)---you experienced ladies (and gentlemen)---what you think? I will be calling him several times a day. I don't want to ignone his mild condition (I don't believe he needs a baby-sitter yet)----He's aware of things and need to be treated as an adult....any ideas or suggestions. thanks, lulli
This is a hard one for me too. My DH is maybe a stage more progressed but pretty 'with it" at least to an outsider. My daughter had a baby last fall. She lives hundreds of miles away. To be with her and family after the birth I was fortunate that my husband's best friend who is retired was available to stay with him during my absence. My husband didn't think he needed a babysitter but I needed peace of mind so I refused to give in. Not sure what I'll do next time.
Teri, yup, my DH is "with it' to others (in fact his own kids don't even see the changes)--DH is good at faking it...remembers most things. I too wanta see my grand-baby who lives in Germany and there will be flying in (mother and baby)--from Germany to visit my son (military---in USA)----about 1000 miles away and I am thinking that this my be last last opportunity for a good visit b-4 the real decline...(they will be moving to Germany permantly)-----so with that said and you reply I think I will go. Teri, our lives are really changing and it's "all on hands' experience. I have attend a ALZ meeting, but some many are offspring child and not spouse so it's hard to connect. Lulli
I agree. go see the baby! I know a woman who took her husband every where even into the more advanced stages of AD. Not sure I want to tackle that myself because my DH hates to leave the property let alone the state. Take care of your needs too. Teri
My husband is early stage Lewy Body Dementia--still doing the cooking alternate weeks, it just takes him forever. I've decided for now to push him to take responsibility for himself. He so easily settles into letting me do things for him. I told him that I didn't see him as a partner any more unless he became more proactive doing the things (like exercise) that will extend his quality of life.
Lullie----it's Texasmom here again----I actually first hired my parttime caregiver last May when my 18 year old daughter and I had to go out of town together for 3 days. My husband wasn't driving anymore, and was very mad about that, but still didn't need a fulltime babysitter (in fact, still doesn't). I told my husband that I had hired a lady to do some chores for ME while I was gone, ie, cleaning out some closets, etc. and she and I came up with some actual things for her to do. So she would come mid-afternoon, do the chores, then happen to stay and fix him dinner. She would leave after dinner, but I had the peace of mind of someone checking on him each day. It was so funny, each day he actually told her that she did not need to come back the following day, but since she and I had come up with "chores", she simply said she was coming over to help me.....seriously,for about the first month or so, every day he asked me why she was there, and I kept coming up with "chores", but slowly he let her drive him to the grocery store, etc. and now he adores her! And, a side benefit is that she has worked with other AD patients and has actually anticipated some of the changes in him before I have! This spring, I have 2-3 out of town trips, and she's able to stay the entire time which will make me feel better. I've also lined up some guy friends from our Sunday School class who are going to take him to church, lunch, etc. while I'm gone. FYI, my husband doesn't like to answer the phone anymore, even his cell phone, so I would find myself calling him, no answer, and panicking!!!! Finally, my husband is MUCH harder to travel with than he was even last summer, so I need these trips away.
Texasmom....that's a great idea. He can drive and he can cook, but it's just the peace of mind that someone is there a little bit. Actually he is looking forward to seeing me go...lol....remember I am in his mind a bossy bitch. I am SLOWLY learning to bit my tongue and forget all the messes he makes ( I am a neat freak) so this is a big changelle. --He also has some church ppl. who would probably "pop" in just to say "hi"....thanks girls!
No wonder I get so frustrated!! I AM a neat freak, perfectionist, so dealing with the house being messy and having no help to clean it has been HARD!! :)