Three Stages of Dementia
There is no way to be completely accurate about how different people will experience the stages. However, there are some general signs that the condition is progressing. The information below will give an overview of how these stages may present. As dementia is progressive, the same symptoms may present in all stages but at varying degrees of severity.
Different types of dementia may progress at different speeds and none, some or all symptoms may be visible over the course of the stages. You should speak to your health care professional regarding any signs or symptoms you or someone you know is displaying as each type of dementia may present differently.
Early
During the early stages of some types of dementia, memory issues are likely to present – this may be mild at first such as forgetting some words or how to finish a sentence. This may also show as difficulty planning or organising things.
Mood or behaviour changes may be present, along with issues with visual perception such as navigating stairs or having poor orientation – such as forgetting where places you are normally familiar with are.
This stage generally lasts approximately 2 years.
Basic help and support will be needed but the person may be able to manage a lot of their normal day-to-day activities.
Middle
As the disease progresses to middle stage, memory and cognition will worsen, you may start to notice issues remembering people – even close friends and family.
Repeating the same things over and over again is common. You will also see the strongest sign of behavioural or mood changes during the middle stage and in some cases this is where behavioural changes really start.
Speech will worsen as will the ability to hold conversations or understand what people are saying or explaining.
Delusion, audio and visual hallucinations as well as signs of depression and withdrawal are pronounced in middle stage. You may also notice significant mobility issues or problems going to the toilet.
This stage can last between 2 and 4 years.
Significant help will be needed during this stage, such as support of local care services or potentially going to a care home or respite centre.
Late
If full time care is not already in place, it is most likely it will be needed in the late stages of dementia.
Almost all normal day-to-day activities will be impacted and almost all symptoms can be on display.
Short term memory will be mostly gone, with people thinking they are at a much earlier stage in their life.
Mobility will most likely be severely impacted with the use of a wheel chair or walking aid required.
Speech and language me be unrecognisable. Assistance with eating and difficulty swallowing may also be present.
Incontinence may also be present.
This stage will last 4 to 6 years depending on the type of dementia but overall life expectancy is usually between 5 and 10 years across all types.