Saturday, June 5, 2010

ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
General Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

When I first did research for Alzheimer's it was said that there was only 3 stages. Since I have read that they have changed that to many more. I am going to go through the old way with the 3 stages and you can see where your loved one lies within.

Stage 1
gradual short-term memory loss
losing and hiding things
wandering
experiences emotional changes
displays odd and inappropriate behavior
tends to be suspicious and / or accusing

Stage 2
severe memory loss
difficulty speaking
difficulty communicating
difficulty understanding
restlessness
easily agitated
bad hygiene practices
tendency to wander and / or get lost
"sundowning"
sleep disturbances
behaving childishly
hallucinating
resents caregivers
displays anger
clinging behavior

Stage 3
severe speech impairment
displays very little awareness of surroundings
extreme loss of mental functions
refuses to eat
displays complete dependency
incontinence
inability to perform most activities

I hope this helps you with as you study your loved one trying to figure out where they stand.
www.sagetest.osu.edu Also try this self test screening for dementia. I hope this all helps.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com

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