If you have an elderly loved one in your life, you may wonder what the signs of memory loss are. Understanding when your family member is beginning to develop Alzheimer’s is crucial, as it’s the only way to ensure they get the dementia care they need to continue living comfortably. The following guide highlights the three stages of dementia, so you can keep your loved one safe and healthy. 

What Are the 3 Phases of Dementia?

1. Mild

Initially, your loved one may not exhibit any symptoms of memory loss at all. After a while, they might seem a bit more forgetful or unfocused, but many caregivers associate this with the normal side effects of aging. The final aspect of the early symptoms phase is when the loved one themselves begins to notice their memory is failing, at which point they may request a trip to the doctor for a diagnosis.

2.  Moderate

During this phase, your loved one will experience both early- and mid-stage dementia symptoms. Early-stage dementia symptoms typically last about two years and include more severe side effects such as difficulty remembering events, names, times, or places, struggling to articulate their feelings, irritability, and trouble organizing personal belongings.

In the mid-stages of dementia, which last about four years, your loved one will likely begin to require a bit of dementia care. At this point, their memory will rapidly decline, and they will likely start to forget people close to them or recent events. They may also begin to exhibit more severe personality changes, such as increased anger or anxiety. 

3. Severe

In the final stage of dementia, your loved one will be unable to communicate. They will have no memory left and will likely be unable to walk on their own. In this phase, around-the-clock dementia care is crucial to ensure your family member remains safe.

If you have a loved one who is experiencing dementia, turn to the professionals at Provident Village at Creekside in Cobb County, GA, or Provident Village at Canton in Cherokee County. They make it easy to ensure elderly loved ones receive the care and assistance needed to maintain a high quality of life. Call (678) 210-7135 for their Smyrna location or (770) 450-5135 for the Canton community to speak with a staff member, and visit their website for more information on their dementia care services.