Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, incurable disease affecting brain function. It is the leading cause of dementia and affects 5.3 million Americans, the Alzheimer's Association reports. One in 10 people over age 65 and more than half the population over age 85 are diagnosed with the condition. The disease progresses slowly and generally spans seven to 10 years according to the Mayo Clinic. The progression of the disease is divided into three stages, yet each person will experience signs and symptoms differently.
Mild/Early Stages
The mild and early stages of Alzheimer's disease generally last two to four years. A person may experience mild memory loss and feel the need to write down notes or make electronic reminders to himself. Following simple directions or problem-solving skills are affected. Examples include trouble following recipes, balancing a checkbook or doing a crossword puzzle. A person may forget directions to a commonly visited place, such as a church attended for the past 10 years. Family members' names or even faces may be momentarily forgotten or unrecognizable.
A person with early onset Alzheimer's may notice changes occurring and become socially withdrawn and begin to isolate herself. Items may be placed in odd locations -- such as the remote control in the freezer or a hair brush in the mailbox. Personality changes include anxiety, paranoia and fearfulness.
Middle Stage
This is commonly the stage in which a person with Alzheimer's begins to have difficulties with activities of daily living. She may put a nightgown over her daytime clothes or dress inappropriately for the weather. She may wear shoes on the wrong feet or leave them untied. The time of day and year often are forgotten, and she may be unable to recite a home address or phone number.
Wandering away from home becomes a major issue--a patient may become lost and unable to return to his home. He may believe a spouse is a sister or a grown son is his brother. Physical changes include fecal and urinary incontinence. Assistance is needed with using the bathroom--such as flushing, wiping or simply finding the location of the restroom.
A middle stage Alzheimer's patient's behavior begins to change more dramatically. She may believe a caretaker is an impostor and become agitated or show symptoms of anxiety, the Alzheimer's Association suggests. She may hear noises or see items that are not there. Repetitive actions such as shredding tissue or pacing commonly is seen.
Late / End Stages
The final stages of Alzheimer's disease are marked with a person unable to respond to environmental stimuli, to speak and to move. This patient eventually will not be able to walk and will need assistance when sitting in bed. He must be fed due to an inability to use utensils, and food commonly must be pureed or be soft in texture due to a choking hazard. Total urinary and fecal incontinence is common.
In the late stages, speech is not recognizable or a person may simply not speak at all. She may be able say an occasional word or sentence, although it will be mumbled and not clear. Most people do not die of Alzheimer's disease but due to complications of the condition. Complications often causing death include pneumonia, urinary tract infections and falls, according to the Mayo Clinic.
