In the US alone, one out of every ten people who are over the age of 65 suffers from the devastating disease known as Alzheimer’s. This is a disease that does not discriminate. It can affect anyone and everyone, and it’s becoming increasingly prevalent as time goes on.

While Alzheimer’s end game for everyone is the loss of memory and the deterioration of soft tissues in the brain, there are a number of stages that people go through and each of these stages has specific behaviors associated with them.

But what are these stages and what specific Alzheimer’s behaviors should you look out for if you suspect someone you love is dealing with this disease? Read on to find out more.

Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it gets worse. These worsening signs and symptoms give way to different categories and stages. It can be hard to place someone in a specific stage, though, because they overlap sometimes.

During the early stage of Alzheimer’s, your loved one will be able to function on their own. For the most part, they can drive and work and continue on with life as they know it. However, they will notice that their memory is failing them.

Some of the Alzheimer’s behaviors to be on the lookout for during this stage are:

• Forgetting names and places of everyday objects
• Forgetting what they just read
• Losing valuables
• Difficulty organizing

However, it’s important to remember that not everyone with this disease will have these same symptoms.

Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease

The middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease can last for a long time. The difficulties your loved one experience are going to get worse and they’re going to have a hard time talking to you about these things. This is because their thoughts and feelings are getting harder to express.

Here’s a list of Alzheimer’s behaviors to watch for during the middle stage of Alzheimer’s:

• Wandering or getting lost
• Personality changes and compulsive behaviors
• Difficulty controlling body functions
• Forgetting life details
• Forgetting the date, time, or location
• Sleep changes

It’s normal for people in this stage of Alzheimer’s to be able to remember facts about themselves but performing daily tasks will become more difficult as time goes on.

Severe Alzheimer’s Disease

In the late and final stage of Alzheimer’s, individuals will slowly lose their ability to respond to the things around them. They likely won’t be able to have a conversation with anyone and, eventually, they won’t be able to control their movements.

There are no actual behaviors to watch out for in this stage because your loved one will need regular, round the clock care. They will lose their ability to walk, sit unassisted, and even swallow their own food.

It’s important in this stage of Alzheimer’s to take care to monitor your loved one’s health because they become susceptible to all sorts of infections and they won’t be able to communicate their pain to you.

Managing Alzheimer’s Behaviors With Senior Living

This information about Alzheimer’s behaviors is probably overwhelming. And, without a doubt, it’s heartbreaking.

But the good news is that you don’t have to handle it on your own. Senior living facilities are there to help you manage your loved one’s deteriorating health and improve their quality of life.

If you have concerns about a family member who is living with Alzheimer’s, schedule your tour at Maple Heights today.