Sp25 Completed Stages of AD.docx

Alzheimer's Disease Stages and Behaviors

• Understanding the expected behaviors at each stage is critical for exam preparation.

• Focus on two interconnecting scales: FAST (Functional Assessment Staging Tool) and Graph from text.

• Emphasis: Questions will target overall concepts of moderately severe (6) or severe (7), not the differentiation within subscales (6a-6e, 7a-7f).

Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Stage 1: Normal Aging

• No deficits or impairments.

Stage 2: Possible Mild Cognitive Impairment

• Subjective feelings of memory issues with no objective cognitive impairments observed.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

• Objective functional deficits interfere with complex tasks.

• Early recognition of cognitive impairments by others.

• Symptoms include anxiety and impaired performance in demanding settings.

Stage 4: Mild Dementia

• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) begin to be affected (e.g., bill paying, cooking, cleaning).

• May show withdrawal, denial, or depression.

• Flattening of affect and cognitive impairments noted on examination.

Stage 5: Moderate Dementia

• Requires assistance with selecting proper attire.

• Disorientation to time and place; needs help with clothing selection.

Stage 6: Moderately Severe Dementia

6a:

• Needs assistance with putting on clothes.

• Forgetfulness regarding names of spouse and family members.

• Possible personality and emotional changes with increased agitation.

6b:

• Needs help with bathing.

6c:

• Needs assistance with toileting.

6d:

• Exhibition of urinary incontinence.

6e:

• Exhibiting fecal incontinence.

Stage 7: Severe Dementia

7a:

• Speaks 5-6 words during the day.

• Loss of verbal and psychomotor skills; requires total assistance due to incontinence.

7b:

• Can only speak 1 word clearly.

7c:

• Inability to walk.

7d:

• Inability to sit up independently.

7e:

• Inability to smile.

7f:

• Inability to hold up head.