Dementia is a challenging condition, not just for the person diagnosed, but for their family and caregivers as well. It’s a journey that unfolds over time, and understanding how it progresses can help us all provide better support and care. If you’ve been wondering, “how many stages of dementia are there?” you’re not alone. The most commonly used guide, called the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) or Reisberg Scale, lays out 7 stages of dementia. This scale helps medical professionals and families understand the typical path of cognitive decline.
Did you know that dementia is a major health concern around the world? Over 57 million people globally are living with dementia in 2021, and nearly 10 million new cases pop up every year. This condition touches so many lives, which makes it even more important to understand the 7 stages of dementia before death and what each stage might look like.
The Early Chapters: Subtle Changes (Stages 1-3)
In the beginning chapters of the dementia journey, changes can be very small, often seeming just like normal aging.
Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline
At this point, there are no noticeable problems. The person functions completely normally, and their memory and thinking skills are sharp. While a formal dementia diagnosis isn’t given here, changes in the brain might already be starting. This is often a great time to talk about future wishes and preferences.
Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline
You might notice they occasionally forget things, like misplacing keys more often or forgetting a name they once knew well. However, these moments are usually minor and don’t really affect their daily life or work. A doctor might not even spot these changes during a regular check-up.
Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
This is where problems become more noticeable to the person and those around them. You might see them getting lost more often, struggling to find the right words, or having difficulty with tasks that require more thought, like managing money. While these symptoms are clearer than just normal aging, they don’t yet meet the criteria for a dementia diagnosis. Early help and changes in lifestyle, such as doing brain exercises and staying social, can be especially helpful here.
The Middle Chapters: Increasing Challenges (Stages 4-5)
As dementia moves into the middle stages, its impact on daily life becomes much bigger.
Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline
At this point, a dementia diagnosis is often made. Individuals will have clear problems with memory, especially recent events. They might struggle with everyday tasks and show signs of pulling away from social activities or having mood swings. This can be tough for families, as the person may deny they have any problems. Support at this stage focuses on helping with daily tasks, setting up routines, and making sure they continue to see their doctor.
Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline
This stage is a key turning point. If you’re asking, “what is stage 5 dementia?” It’s marked by a significant drop in memory, where people might forget important personal details like their address or phone number. They will need help with many daily activities, such as choosing what to wear or handling complex chores like cooking. This is often when caregivers might notice things like wandering or confusion about the time of day.
It’s also worth noting that at what stage do dementia patients forget family members can vary, but by Stage 5, they might start having trouble remembering the names of grandchildren or relatives they don’t see often, though they usually still recognize their immediate family like children and spouses. This stage can last from 2 to 4 years.
The Final Chapters: Profound Impact (Stages 6-7)
The final stages of dementia involve very serious difficulties, requiring a lot of care.
Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline
In this stage, individuals need a lot of help with daily activities like bathing, getting dressed, and eating. They may lose the ability to recognize even close family and friends, struggle to communicate, and have problems with bladder and bowel control. Behavior changes, such as paranoia, seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, anxiety, or aggression, are common. Making their environment safe and calm is incredibly important. This stage can be the longest, sometimes lasting from 4 to 8 years.
Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline (End-Stage Dementia)
This is considered the very last stage of dementia. What does stage 7 dementia look like? Individuals in stage 7 dementia symptoms include losing the ability to talk, walk, or even swallow on their own. They will need complete care for all daily activities. While their thinking skills are profoundly impacted, they may still respond to touch, sounds, or familiar smells. Comfort and maintaining their dignity become the main goals of care.
The Dementia Stages Timeline and Other Important Points
Understanding how long do the 7 stages of dementia last is tricky, as the dementia stages timeline changes a lot from person to person, depending on the type of dementia and other health conditions they have. Some people might move through the stages quickly, while others might stay in one stage for many years.
It’s also important to know about other things that can affect the journey. Conditions like delirium, which often comes on suddenly due to infections (like urinary tract infections), side effects from medicines, or not drinking enough water, can suddenly make thinking skills worse. Strokes or brain injuries can also cause new or more severe dementia symptoms. Plus, changes in routine can be especially upsetting for people with dementia, leading to more confusion or agitation. Keeping routines consistent is very helpful.
If you are a caregiver, please remember to get support for yourself. Joining support groups, taking breaks, and learning more are not extras; they are vital. We can’t change the path of the disease, but we can certainly make the journey more comfortable and meaningful for everyone involved.