Dementia Stage 6 & 7

Stages 6 & 7 - What to expect at the end of the disease.

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[lauraparker]

My sister has early Alz and is at the beginning of stage 7, I would say. I’m so glad you said you’ve experienced stage 7 lasting less than 1.5-2.5 years. My sis is miserable and has been for some time. So fearful, angry, and delusional, and so helpless. We’ve been going through this for 20 years with her and before that, 20 with my mom. I am ready for it to be over. I have friends who say, “enjoy every moment with her, ” and, “every day is a gift.” They have not spent 40 years with Alz.

[jackskellington]

I was lucky to be able to care for my mom the last 20 years of her life
She took care of AIDS patients back when no one else wanted to help them and were afraid to Touch
Anyone with the disease.
She was a mom to those that didn’t have one
Gave her the same dignity and care that she gave to others
Thanks mom 5/8/2023
I love you ❤️

[margaretcorfield]

My mother died of dementia many years ago. I had been her carer throughout until, in the final had no choice but the put her in a home. She showed all these symptoms bar one. She never really forgot my name or who I was. On just 2 occasions she didn't, once she thought I was her mother, and once her sister, but both times she immediately corrected herself, and said 'you're Margi aren't you? Your a good girl, coming to see me.' However she never even realised she was in a nursing home, and was often very delusional about her surroundings. It was a blessing when she finally passed away.

[Laura-uvnv]

My dad has vascular dementia. He is 93 years old. I wonder what stage he is in. He is delusional. Has auditory and visual hallucinations. Always reaching for something that is not there. He appears to be always trying to put something together, which I am sure stems from his past occupation. He sundowns and has his days and nights mixed up. Will go 2-3 days with barely any sleep and then due to exhaustion will finally sleep some. Lack of good sleep makes his delirium worse. He fell a few weeks ago. X-rays and MRIs negative. Had to move him to a facility because he is now unable to walk. He previously took baby steps and was grabbing onto walls and furniture to keep from falling. He always managed with my help, then suddenly took a nose dive downwards. He thinks my mom is still alive and she died 2 years ago. A couple of times he called me by her name but he still knows who I am when I visit him. Most days he has tremendous trouble with language and things just come out mumbo jumbo jibberish-like talk. It makes it so hard to have a conversation with him because you just don't know what he is saying and he tries so hard to talk. Every once in a while I can catch a word or two and I try to respond with something and I most definitely can get a look of confusion as the answer I gave him was obviously not the right one. It's like putting a puzzle together. He still has a good appetite and eats well. He loves hamburgers and sweets. I bought him a hamburger today and noticed he had trouble opening the bag but he eventually got it open. Ate the burger on his own. He is not interested in tv or really anything but just sitting in his wheelchair (hallucinatory and trying to fix something). Knows his name and date of birth but not very oriented to place and time. He is always glad when a staff member comes to see him but occasionally at night he gets agitated and can become somewhat aggressive. When I visit him (almost daily) he thinks he can go home with me and he forgets his legs don't work anymore. I just keep telling him he's there for physical therapy to see if we can get his legs stronger so he can walk. I went through this dementia disease with my mom and now my dad. It's the most horrible and the most dreaded disease. Horrible to watch. I pray the good Lord takes him sooner than later. He took care of my mom when she went through this and I know he has to be exhausted. I know I am. Love and blessings to anyone fighting the battle.

[shelbycobra]

Thank you for this. My mom is in I believe stage 7. She can still say "I love you" and small phrases, however, she is totally incontinent, can't walk, stand or sit up on her own and needs to be spoon-fed. It's so sad to see. She was an advertising executive in NYC for 40 years. It's like looking at a different person. She has a great live-in aide who we are so thankful for.

[cddavis]

Thank you sharing these stages. My mom went from talking to me on a Monday and passing that Sunday from Alzheimer’s. She never forgot who I was and I got to hear “I love you” before she completely stopped talking. The end stage happened fast. Blessings to all you caregivers out there ❤

[jannjones]

my husband is at stage 6-7 but mobile still - fed by me - showered shaved dressed each morning in pullups - hairdresser comes to house - i do nails etc - reflexoligist comes to house and works on his beautiful feet - he laughs like a maniac all day yes and no he can say - he calls me mumumum often when i kiss him - he walks (shuffles) around the deck and house - has been deadbolted for a couple of years as he was a risk to himself if a person preyed on vulnerable people! he sleeps in his chair on and off throughout the day - he does know me as i am his wife of 33 years and his primary carer /guardian but bot my name - hell he doesnt know his own name - i took him off 2 out of 3 risperidone each day so has .5 at dinner - he sundowns so i distract him if i am not too tired - he has bowel incontinence 2-3 a week - his bed is changed daily by me as are his clothes - he smells clean - he dont do music or photos - walks away - he is the love of my life my best friend my worst enemy my workmate ny mechanic (was) the father of our two sons -the provider of our home etc - my darling husband and the man God gave me to love !

[robinparkes]

Thanks Deborah. My wife was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2021. Prior to that it was clear to any lay person that she had been showing signs of some form of dementia for a few years. She has been at stage 6 for a while now and is clearly transitioning into stage 7. She is 72. I am her sole carer. I nursed my father for the last 6 years of his life and he had COPD. The big difference was that he suffered no mental decline. At 90 he was as switched on as I remembered him when I was young. As a care giver, I feel there is no comparison between the 2. Fortunately, I have no difficulty in the physical side of of her care, toileting, washing dressing etc etc, but dealing with the continual change in her mood swings, personality changes, depression, and her hallucinations and her total inability to follow the simplest instruction is so difficult. to see someone who I have know for 50 years to slowly decline into a shell of a person who cannot do anything for herself is heart breaking. I would not wish this on anyone. What a terrible condition this is. Thanks so much for posting your videos. 🇬🇧

[ralemc]

Thank you. Mom is stage 7. All with dementia are different but all share the same group of traits. Mom has started sleeping long hours and eating less. She still likes her ensure and sweets. Thank God she is not diabetic! But I never thought of baby food! The stress can block caregivers thinking. Thank you. It is so sad.

[LisaJoy-Simple]

Come on Debra, just had to put my Mom with alzheimers dementia who is 76 in a Care Center aka Nursing home. I need to watch your videos. She has been bedridden since the 1st of September. It was Hospice's decision to put her in a Nursing home. God bless her she is still in a happy state of mind. I know the end is near because she has been talking to someone who isn't there. She would say her Uncle Dan, who passed on in July this year, came to tell her she needs to be ready for the journey. ❤❤❤

[ENGLISHISBEST]

I am 65 due to retire next year. After many comments from family & awaiting results from a head scan after at one point forgetting all my grandchildrens names & constantly repeating things I already said, my wife went with me to the doctors. As you can tell I can use a mobile so hoping not too bad, It embarrasses the hell out of me but optimistic its slight.

[donkemp]

My wife is somewhere between late stage 5 and stage 6. She is one of the nicest, kindest souls I’ve ever known but is a beast with dementia. Sometimes she goes to the toilet on her own; sometimes she is shocked to find she has pooped in her pants. I help with showering and dressing. She has lost comprehension of simple requests like take your clothes off so you can put your pajamas on. And her favorite thing to say is “Shut up and leave me alone”. Breaks my heart.

[MsAnnaBanana]

Thank you for doing this. I would love a series on caretakers!

[leeanntripple]

Thank you for this series of videos on the stages of Dementia. They were very informative and touching. My friend's husband has just passed from this terrible disease, and he died at home with only her and her daughter as caregivers to the end. This has helped me to understand a little more of what she may have gone through.

[virginiagaviati]

Thank you so much for sharing this.❤ My mother received a vascular dementia diagnosis 2 and 1/2 years ago. I moved her into an assisted living facility but she has declined at an alarming rate. Recently I had to move her into memory care and at this point she fell and since the fall a couple of weeks ago, she has not been able to walk or stand on her own or say much of anything. A few words here or there and she also is being fed pureed food and wears a diaper . Some days they wheel her out to the activity room and she looks happy. She doesn't think anything's wrong which is the hardest part for all of us that are on the other end of care giving. I visit her twice weekly but this stage has to be the hardest! Like you said, sometimes you wish for them to be in a better place as they are just a shell of a person. My mother recognizes me, although I'm not sure she knows exactly who I am. Sometimes I'm her mom, sometimes I'm her sister and every once in awhile I'm her daughter but I think that's because a caregiver has said your daughter is here.
It's the hardest journey of my life to go through this with my mother and it's so darn sad. She was a very strong and independent woman with a loving and kind personality.

[samanthaharrison]

I've just found your videos and they are so helpful, I wish I had found them earlier. My Mum is going through this and I think she is a stage 5 or 6, we have had to move her to a care home as Dad has his own health problems and just couldn't cope any more, not helped with everything around Covid. She talks about her Mum and Dad and doesn't know who Dad and I are. It is hard and a horrible disease.

[barneyrubble]

Think my wife is stage 6.
Can't speak coherently, fully incontinent, doesn't understand questions or requests but is mobile and can still eat on her own once you het her going.... sleep is now sporadic also.
Im caring and still holding down a full time job with her in day care whilst I'm there.

[jamesmungai]

Thank you for taking us through the stages. It is al very hard no matter what stage your loved one is. Thx

[s.elh.]

My dad is in stage 7 for about a year now. He is totally bedridden und only on better days he is able to sit for a while in a wheelchair. Usually i take him out of bed max. once a week 🥺. Most of the time he is sleeping and even moving on bed slightly is to hard for him. It's really a sad situation, we have to make sure he doesn't get sore. Sometimes he speaks a few words, but only on better days...As you said, sometimes i wish for him, he could leave, but it's not in our hand and so we are hanging in with him. But to everyone out there, dreading the last phase, the level of love and compassion grows and has never been greater than now. This makes it easier...

[dudewhathappenedtomycountr]

It would be interesting to see the length of time one takes in each stage taking into account the age of onset. I imagine folks with early-onset dementia skew the curve by taking longer to pass on than someone who is in Stage 5 in their 80's.