What Are the Stages of Dementia?

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#1. Understanding Different Dementias. A Pdf of dementia symptoms, life experiences.
#2 Activities for Every stage. A Pdf with ideas for activities for those with dementia.

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What are the stages of dementia? In this video, Debra goes over the seven stages model of dementia to help you better understand the condition you or your person will be facing. This model is taken from the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) and can be used to estimate life expectancy and when life functions will diminish. It is important to understand that the GDS model is fluid and people may flow between or be in multiple stages at once. It is also important to note that deterioration begins years or even decades prior to the onset of symptoms. This portion of the disease spread is the pre-dementia stage and covers stages 1-3 on the GDS scale. Stages 4-7 are the dementia stages and are generally when cognitive impairment becomes debilitating. Each stage is listed below:

Stage 1 - No cognitive decline
Stage 2 - Very mild cognitive decline or age-associated memory impairment (AAMI)
Stage 3 - Mild cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Stage 4 - Early dementia or moderate cognitive decline
Stage 5 - Moderately severe cognitive decline
Stage 6 - Severe cognitive decline
Stage 7 - Very severe cognitive decline

[ra]

Thank you Ms. Debra, this is a video everyone should watch and be informed about dementia. Your video was very well presented.

[sheryltucker]

My 51-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with dementia. I thank you very much for this video. I think she may be in stage 3-4. She still works, but all she does is wash dishes and clean some. She has been there for 10 years, so I guess that is why she can still do it. It’s basically repetitious. Too, the people there help her when she needs it. When she gets agitated, they just tell her to take a break. I really appreciate them. She can’t drive anymore, because she gets lost and she gets highly agitated in traffic. She lives with my oldest daughter, so she takes her to work. She can remember things that happened many years ago when her children were little but can’t remember what you told her 5 minutes ago. It breaks my heart to see her like that. She is my baby. 😢😢. She lives with my oldest daughter and is well-cared for. I live about 5 hours away. I wish I could be closer, but my oldest daughter says God has me in the right place; at my own home. Sorry for the long post. Maybe I just needed to “talk” to someone not family. Thank you again, and I will continue to watch your videos.

[doug]

I think my wife of 47 years is in stage 6 now. She can’t carry on a normal conversation anymore but she still eats pretty good and dresses herself but not well. She was so smart and could do most anything she put her mind to. She did bank mergers when she worked for BB&T, traveled by car all along the east coast by herself before we had GPS and was so quick thinking and organized. Breaks my heart but she still remembers Jesus and church and still wants to go. I know the Lord is taking care of her and helping me along the way.

[thepratherlife]

I'm going through this with my mom right now. She's in stage 6 and refuses to leave her home. This is the hardest thing to go through and watch her decline. PRAYERS! PLEASE🙏

[eolonizzi]

I was diagnosed with dementia 4 years ago, and I am still doing great.

[cdow]

One thing I noticed thru out my nursing career with people with dementia- they never forget who God is

[carolsmart]

My mother’s brother, who was an inventor & had enormous amounts of info on every topic, had bits of forgetfulness & a few dents on his car before we realized he was in trouble. He lived alone & only visited family occasionally. Then he showed up with a battered face & couldn’t really explain who did it or when. His brothers began checking in him. Within 6 months, he couldn’t drive, carry on a conversation or realize where he was & was in a care facility. The last time I visited him, he was at a table being fed. He was in a zombie like state & had to be told to open his mouth, then to chew, & then ti swallow. He did not know me & wasn’t really there. I left with tears running down my face.It is a horrible end to anyone’s life. God bless those who have it, those who witness it, & the caregivers. Heartbreaking for all.🙏🏼

[wun]

This is very helpful. I believe I am in stage 2. My mother died at 93 and I watched her progress through these stages. Her generation was not really aware of this as a diagnosis although they had relatives who "went senile". My children note that I have a tendency to leave things when I visit them (hats, coats etc). I first suspected the diagnosis 20 years ago when trying to cope when visiting a strange city in a strange country in a different time zone. Over the past 2-3 years my memory for current day and date, for names and words has markedly deteriorated (noticeable to me only). I have very poor sense of smell. There are other memory symptoms I could list.
I still function at a high level and I don't think friends would have noticed anything. I do a lot of physical exercise, both aerobic and resistance training as I believe the evidence suggests that this slows down progression. I am also on a low sugar diet. I successfully run my own fairly complex investment portfolios though wonder how long I can do this. I live alone so no wife to notice things.
I have recently given up some teaching work in retirement that I no longer have the previous great enthusiasm for.
I am 78 this year and think I probably have another 2 good years, maybe more. I am a retired medical practitioner so have some medical insight.
It is important to try and keep these things hidden as long as possible, because the label or even suspicion of early dementia affects all social relationships. Yet certain things have to be done to tidy one's life and prepare for the worst while still competent.
I have had a good life and have made preparations for what I will do when I reach a certain stage. Read into that what you will.
Future society will have to face the option of predetermined voluntary assisted dying for those with severe dementia. Let's face it - who would want to continue living in that dreadful demeaning and mindless condition?

[julianday]

I cared for my mother with dementia for three years. She died only a few days ago in her own house and bed as I promised her. The experience is something I shall never forget although in the end she died peacefully. Her own doctor never visited her in all that time and she passed away at the age of 97. She always managed to walk up the stairs with me behind her but seven days before she died she suddenly stopped walking while going upstairs and I had to carry her up. She spent the remainder of her life being cared for in bed.

[awax]

My mother, who had was stage 6 at the end of her life, often said: Old age is not for the faint of heart.

[amyg]

My god, what a nightmare. I'm so sorry for anyone dealing with this.

[Sharyonk]

I take care of my Mother-in-law. She has always been a mean and hateful person and dementia has amplified it. When i read articles on dementia they always refer to " a loved one". That is not the my situation. I take excellent care of her at the risk of my mental health. She has ni friends and only my husband as family. She has never concidered me family. She is 85 and i have realized i will never put my family through this hell. My husband deals as best he can. Being a caretaker is this hardest job. I can't imagine doing this for "a loved one".

[dianegriffiths]

My dad had dementia or altzheimers so bad he couldn't even talk in the end. He was a generator and alternator rebuilder. Had his hands in solvents all the time. It makes me want cry when i think about it. I could never had a better father

[cathypurnell]

My mother has dementia, and my sister has altzheimers and yes it’s heartbreaking to witness.😭 I find myself crying most of the time when I’m with them. 🌸

[maureensomers]

A person should have the option to take a pill and end an agony for all. Allowing someone to go through thus us heartless and selfish.

[sandrajones]

My husband has been diagnosed with this… I’ve been in Denial… he’s in 4/5. Just got diagnosed about 6 months ago, they found it in his cerebral spinal fluid… I had no clue what those shuttle signs were but after a surgery last year it came in with a vengeance, and our daughter is worrying us both, I am a retired nurse so I think as far as physical I will be ok, but I am soooo depressed. And watching this video answered so much. He’s refusing the meds, he’s went
From a 38-30 to a 30-30 in a little over a year is when the decline started, my 220 strapping strong man is now 160lbs, and I feed him often…he is very strong willed, but this video put it all into perspective.. my hearts broken in a 1000 pieces…we need to pray for each other.🥺🙏♥️

[lindap.p.]

Thank you for this i went through it with my Dad who died in 2008. My Mom stayed in denial and demanded that he be “ normal” like driving her around. He had bad behaviors that got him into legal trouble. She felt it was not her problem. My two boys that had been very close with their grands stayed on me until I realized I had to be the informed one, sometimes the bad guy. My only sibling, a brother, refused to see any problem at all, except with me.
I got as educated as I could. I read about stages several times but was unable to match him with them. Your explanation of fluidity hit home with me. Thank you.
Going through all this was the hardest thing I ever did. How hard is it to notify the DMV that your Father should not drive? My Mom was very angry and thought a doctor had done it.
I have to find more of your videos. Thank you again.
You know what I think? You never grow up completely until you have gone through old age with your parents.

[ronelleoosthuizen]

Thank you so much. My mother had dementia. I learned to listen to the old stories of her childhood that she could recall. Those beautiful stories are the memories I carry about the last years of her life.

[emilybazer]

Thank you for not sugar coating, and using words like, terrifying and awful.

[jeannettemiller-ox]

This video was very helpful. Unfortunately, one of my brothers-in-law appears to be stage 6, the other is about 4. Also, my younger sister died last November from what we think was stroke-caused dementia. I do have to say, dementia is very stressful on the patient, caregivers and family. My sister would call me often (until stage 7) and when I answered, I did not know who it would be on the other end of the line. Sometimes she was clear-headed and we could converse and reminisce, other times she was delusional and thought her caretaker was trying to kill her or there were strangers living in the upstairs rooms. But in her clear hours, she was upset that she knew she wouldn't remember our talk the next day. As she was in Mexico and I am in Washington, it was a very helpless feeling for me to know how terrible it was for her and I couldn't help. It broke my heart when she died but at the same time, I knew it was for the best and she is free of that body that let her down. Thanks for making this video and helping me understand what happened to her and what is happening to my other family members.