The disease progresses through 3 main stages of symptoms. In the final stage, people with Alzheimer disease may be unable to talk with family members or know what is going on around them. Healthcare providers and caregivers often focus treatment on slowing the process and ensuring a good quality of life for everyone involved. Alzheimer disease is becoming more common as the general population gets older and lives longer. Alzheimer disease usually affects people older than People live for an average of 8 years after their symptoms appear.
But the disease can progress quickly in some people and slowly in others. Some people live as long as 20 years with the disease. No one knows what causes Alzheimer disease. Genes, environment, lifestyle, and overall health may all play a role. The stages of Alzheimer disease usually follow a progressive pattern. But each person moves through the disease stages in his or her own way. Knowing these stages helps healthcare providers and family members make decisions about how to care for someone who has Alzheimer disease.
Preclinical stage. Changes in the brain begin years before a person shows any signs of the disease. This time period is called preclinical Alzheimer disease and it can last for years.
But if necessary, the same procedures used to identify preclinical Alzheimer's disease can help determine whether MCI is due to Alzheimer's disease or something else. Alzheimer's disease is often diagnosed in the mild dementia stage, when it becomes clear to family and doctors that a person is having significant trouble with memory and thinking that impacts daily functioning.
During the moderate dementia stage of Alzheimer's disease, people grow more confused and forgetful and begin to need more help with daily activities and self-care. Show increasingly poor judgment and deepening confusion. Individuals lose track of where they are, the day of the week or the season. They may confuse family members or close friends with one another or mistake strangers for family. They may wander, possibly in search of surroundings that feel more familiar.
These difficulties make it unsafe to leave those in the moderate dementia stage on their own. Undergo significant changes in personality and behavior. It's not unusual during the moderate dementia stage for people to develop unfounded suspicions — for example, to become convinced that friends, family or professional caregivers are stealing from them or that a spouse is having an affair.
Others may see or hear things that aren't really there. Individuals often grow restless or agitated, especially late in the day. Some people may have outbursts of aggressive physical behavior. In the late stage of the disease, called severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, mental function continues to decline, and the disease has a growing impact on movement and physical capabilities. The rate of progression for Alzheimer's disease varies widely.
On average, people with Alzheimer's disease live between three and 11 years after diagnosis, but some survive 20 years or more. The degree of impairment at diagnosis can affect life expectancy. Untreated vascular risk factors such as hypertension are associated with a faster rate of progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Pneumonia is a common cause of death because impaired swallowing allows food or beverages to enter the lungs, where an infection can begin. Other common causes of death include dehydration, malnutrition, falls and other infections. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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This stage lasts an average of about two and a half years. The seventh and final stage comprises the final stage in the three-stage model: late-stage dementia.
At this stage, most people will have lost their ability to speak or communicate. They often require assistance with most of their activities, including toileting, eating, dressing, bathing, and other daily activities, around the clock. Because people in stage seven often lose psychomotor capabilities, they may be unable to walk or require significant assistance with ambulation.
This stage lasts an average of two and a half years. On average, however, most people live between four and eight years following diagnosis.
The progression of the disease may be different for each individual, but family members and caregivers should familiarize themselves with the typical stages that occur throughout progression. Understanding the later stages of the disease also helps when planning for lifestyle changes, new equipment, and other items that may be needed. Because the cost of dementia care is high, families should begin planning as soon as possible following a diagnosis.
In some cases, people may survive for more than 20 years. It is therefore crucial to plan for the future and follow the progression of the disease through each stage.
This can happen at a gradual pace before any noticeable symptoms appear. For some, the disease progresses slowly and leaves mental function largely intact for several years. Other times, AD is aggressive and quickly robs people of their memory. In the end, AD becomes severe enough to disrupt day-to-day life. In later stages, people will need almost constant care. AD is the most common cause of dementia in America today.
Researchers and scientists have been studying the disease for decades, but there is no cure at this time. Quality of life becomes increasingly important for people with AD and their caretakers once a diagnosis is made. Life expectancy varies for each person with AD. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is eight to 10 years. In some cases, however, it can be as short as three years or as long as 20 years. AD can go undiagnosed for several years, too.
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