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The topic "Memory loss in the elderly" will help you learn about related content and topics, to together bring better health care solutions for the elderly.
- Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
- Causes of Alzheimer's disease and risk factors
- Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's
The stages and symptoms of the disease are understood early and thoroughly, not only helping to diagnose promptly but also supporting in the management and treatment of the disease. Because Alzheimer's disease is a difficult disease to cure and has a gradual progression over time, affecting the brain and cognitive ability of the patient. Usually, the patient will go through 6 stages
Stage 1: Mild forgetfulness
It often begins with signs such as mild forgetfulness and poor concentration. People with the disease may begin to forget small details of daily life, such as keys or appointments.
And this is also the stage that many people consider normal for aging, which can make diagnosis difficult.
Stage 2: Mild Cognitive Impairment
During this stage, symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease become more apparent. People with the disease have difficulty performing everyday tasks. They may feel self-conscious and fearful when faced with new situations that are serious enough to warrant the attention of family or loved ones:
- Having difficulty finding names or words
- Forgetting names, location of objects, daily tasks.
- Lack of effectiveness in work or social environments
- Reduced data aggregation capabilities
- Decreased ability to plan or organize
Stage 3: Intellectual and Language Decline
During this stage, the symptoms of the disease become very obvious and cause many difficulties in daily life such as:
- Decreased ability to understand recent events or current events
- Decreased ability to perform mental calculations – for example, counting backwards from 100 in 7 seconds)
- Or avoid intellectual questions
- Reduced ability to perform complex tasks
- Don't remember personal history clearly
- Difficulty expressing your thoughts or having problems with language.
- May not recognize loved ones, and may become easily upset or hurt.
At this stage, the patient needs attention, care, and sympathy from family and children, which is extremely necessary.
Stage 4: Moderately Severe Memory Loss
For patients who have gone more than half way through Alzheimer's disease. This is the stage where more serious symptoms appear such as:
- Often does not remember personal information clearly when asked.
- Confusion about time and place
- Struggle with less challenging mental calculations
- Can't choose the right clothes
Most can still remember the names of loved ones, and do not need help with eating or going to the bathroom. However, if there is companion Being close to and caring will help the elderly think continuously.
Stage 5: Particularly severe cognitive decline
The closer to the final stage, the more the patient loses the ability to remember and judge, with symptoms such as:
- Complete loss of awareness of recent activities and events as well as of their surroundings
- Only remember the name but not what I have been through
- Can distinguish between relatives and strangers but cannot remember names
- Increasing incidence of urinary incontinence
- Significant personality changes and behavioral symptoms appear, including suspiciousness and delusions (for example, believing the caregiver is a fraud); hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real); or compulsive repetitive actions such as scratching the head or tearing paper.
- Tendency to wander and get lost
- Cannot feel thirsty, cannot dress by himself
Towards the end, these symptoms become more and more severe, the patient becomes like a newborn child who needs support in all activities of life.
Conclusion
The stages of Alzheimer's disease are not always clearly defined, and symptoms can vary from person to person. However, understanding the progression of the disease can help you plan and find resources for better care.
Because, in reality, Alzheimer's disease not only affects the person with the disease, but also poses great challenges for families and caregivers. Understanding the stages of this disease not only helps in timely diagnosis and treatment, but also helps in providing support and appropriate care for the sick
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