Comparing the 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s with My Father’s Progression

Before I share what I discovered in each of Larry’s 7 stages I want to emphasis that everyone’s journey through these stages are different.  There is not one person with Alzheimer’s that looks the same as another.  It’s just similar. 

7 Stages of Alzheimer’s	Larry’s 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s
1. No Impaired Behavior: Symptoms are not usually exhibited. The person is quiet about the changes they might be experiencing in their brain. A test called PET can be taken to detect how your brain is working.	1. No Impaired Behavior: My dad was definitely quiet about what was going on in his brain. He started to tape up pictures and anything that was important to him on his office wall. I just thought it was his new hobby. But I now know he was trying to help himself.
2. Mild Impairment: mild memory loss (this is similar to a normal aging person.) Such as forgetting keys. Symptoms do not interfere with your daily life	2. Mild Impairment: We noticed my dad compensating for everything. Such as: forgetting something or not saying the right word in a sentence when speaking.
3. Decline Begins: Memory and cognitive impairments. Such as forgetting to pay bills. Not able to organize or do daily tasks.	3. Decline begins: My dad definitely forgot to pay bills. This is when I realized something was wrong with my dad. (Story coming soon) Also this was the stage where he was forgetting how to drive from one place to another. My house, his house, the bank, the library, etc… And we live in a small town!
4. Worsens: Forgetting more details. Such as forgetting how to tell time. At this stage it’s recommended not to drive.	4. Worsens: My dad was unable to tell time, barely write his own name, and know who the current president was. At this point we took him to get diagnosed, obtained a P.O.A, and tried to get a caretaker too. (Story coming soon) Lastly, he started to wander.
	Between these two stages we carefully removed his driving privileges.
5. Moderately Impairment: can still do most things unassisted but do them wrong such as; dressing oneself and putting clothes inside out. Another is; going into the shower but does not know how to bathe fully.	5. Moderate Impairment: He was having trouble dressing and bathing himself. We had to start giving verbal instructions one at a time. I even started to tape up visual instructions for him. These didn’t really work. During this stage it was very very hard. His wandering increased. Started to get agitated. It was very difficult to redirect him. (Story coming soon)
	Between these two stages my dad enters a facility.
6. Severe Impairment: Needs assistance in daily activities. May need help feeding. May exhibit agitation. Even be confused. May lose bladder and bowel control.	6. Severe Impairment: Begins to lose the ability to go to the bathroom on his own. Needs help in feeding. Starts to lose his ability to recognize you. Everything slows down.
7. Final Decline: Most of their basic abilities will disappear. Such as: walking and talking. Eating can become difficult.	7. Final Decline: Can not walk or talk. Can not participate in activities. Needs help in all matters. (Story coming soon)