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Stages of Decline For Dementia Patients
Stages of Dementia for My Dad
I am a daughter, Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, and a full-time caregiver for my Father. I do not have formal training or professional education to care for my Dad. I go with my gut and what I think is the right thing to do. I am not a doctor or certified nurse. I treat my dad with the same love he treated me when I was a child.
No impairment. ...not visible to the average person, no memory loss
Most of my Dad’s life was lived without memory loss. His mind was sharp. He could build anything, use any type of construction equipment, drive various trucks and cars, and build almost anything. He could remember directions from job site to job site with ease. He drove back and forth to Florida and Delaware for leisure without using a map.
Very mild decline. … slight memory loss,
At this stage, my dad began to repeat his stories about work and who he saw earlier in the day. He did not have obvious bathroom issues or need to wear a diaper. He started to lose his car keys and misplace eyeglasses. We started noticing household items moved around. Subtle changes could be viewed if you looked closely. My Mom was in denial that Dad had a problem. If we mentioned an observation to my Mom she would say it was normal old-age behavior. His primary Physician referred him to a Neurologist. My Dad was still playing games on his ipad.
Mild decline. … Memory loss is notable if you look closely, My Dad started talking about childhood memories and friends more and more. He began having some bathroom issues and he would need to change his pants and underwear. He lost household items more often. The cell phone and eyeglasses were missing and we were constantly looking for them. My dad started moving items in his bedroom and bathroom drawers so we could not find things like combs, brushes, toothbrushes, and tissues. With the increase in memory loss, my dad became more inquisitive. He started sleeping more during the day in his bedroom. He would sing the same songs over and over and over. Activities such as golfing, walking, and swimming became less interesting to my Dad. My Mom was still in denial that my Dad had memory loss. He was seeing a neurologist and was diagnosed with Cognitive Decline. A diagnostic test showed that my dad needed surgery to clear an artery in his neck. The surgery was same-day surgery and he healed quickly. If you put an item down such as your cell phone, my dad would pick it up and put it in his pocket.
Moderate decline. and noticeable memory loss, My Dad’s behaviors included repeating stories more frequently, asking questions, repeating the questions, inability to remember friend’s names, putting items in the wrong cabinets in the kitchen, losing interest in his games on his iPad, moving things from place to place within the house, eats everything, asks for his siblings who are deceased, his hand was shaky with tremors, started putting his clothing on inside out, and wanted to take frequent showers. He seemed more confused and started showing agitation if we asked him too many questions. My Mom started acknowledging that my Dad had a memory problem. His Neurologist diagnosed my dad with dementia. He cannot drive a car. He needs help putting on his seatbelt. He struggles to describe how he feels or what he needs. Clothing and outerwear became an issue. My Dad didn’t want to change his clothes. If we left items in his bedroom, he would move them to his drawers or closet. He doesn’t want to swallow his medicine. He is starting to look and stare into the windows and glass doors with fear. He sees the reflection in the window from the television and thinks he is seeing animals and people.
Moderately severe decline. … Memory loss is very noticeable. My Dad does not know his address, cannot complete daily tasks, forgets about his dog, can’t remember where he lives, has a fear of people stealing from him, can’t focus to watch television, uses a pullup for underwear, speaks without a filter, says inappropriate things, up at night, asks numerous questions over and over, wobbles, when he is walking, wants to stay home, wants the house to be quiet, seems sleepy, and has a loss of interest in daily activities. He doesn’t know where he lives and wants to go home but he is home. He shows fear and nervousness as the day progresses. He refuses to shower or shave. He wants to keep his sneakers on even in bed. He repeats his questions within seconds. He stares at household objects and has a look on his face as though he never saw that object before. He is confused and worried. He demonstrates nervousness when he scratches his hands and knuckles together.
He puts 2 watches on the same arm. He has been scratching his nose and neck until he bleeds. He scratches his fingers until they are raw. He gets up a lot during the night and puts all the lights on. Sometimes he opens the sliding door and leaves it open. I have cameras in his bedroom and sitting area. When he gets up, my husband or I go and check on him. He doesn't want to lie down in his bed and sleep but he takes short naps throughout the day on the couch or in his chair. He moves all the objects around in his bedroom constantly. He thinks someone is stealing from him.
Severe decline. … Memory Loss is visible to most people. My Dad cannot drive a car, use the bathroom, says things that are inappropriate, cannot watch television, cannot cook meals, has a loss of appetite, needs help to shave, curses under his breath, talks about his childhood, does not enjoy loud noises, is confused about where he lives and where he sleeps. He asks about his siblings who are deceased. He is shaky using the steps and needs guidance to climb up the stairs. He needs to use a spoon instead of a fork to eat. He says things that are inappropriate and unkind. He refuses to shower and gets angry when we try to get him to go into the bathroom. He doesn’t want to take his medicine and tells us he doesn’t need pills. He cannot read his watch to tell time. My dad has bruises on his chin and neck but he cannot tell us if he fell. We set up cameras in his bedroom and in the family room area with night vision and an app to download on my cell phone so we can watch him if we are outside and we have the ability to rewind the video to see if he fell or tripped. The cameras have been helpful in following my Dad’s steps at night and making sure he doesn’t have anything in the bedroom or on the way to the bathroom to trip over.
Very severe decline. My dad cannot drive a car, has increased memory decline, cannot remember family members by name, has a loss of appetite, cannot feed himself, has a loss of the ability to complete daily tasks, cannot care for himself in their own home, cannot cook meals, has a hard time swallowing food, trembling when trying to hold objects, shaky legs, cannot understand or comprehend where he lives, wants to go home. My Dad does not know who I am or my name most days. His eyes are glassy and he doesn’t make eye contact when we talk. He can say a few words in sequence but he often doesn’t make sense. He cannot read his watch to tell time. He lays in bed most of the day. He has lost all interest in living. He doesn’t care what we say to him. He has lost his appetite. He uses a wheelchair when we go out. He is losing weight. He is looking at the television and thinks the person is in our home. He looks at his reflection in the mirror and talks to himself. He sees reflections in the windows and sliding glass doors. I miss my Dad but I can still hug him.
My Dementia Book List for Amazon
Most books I have read and posted a review on my site
The World Health Organization's website
Stages of dementia with a Has specific personal description
Ways to Communicate with a Person Who has Dementia
Make eye contact to get his attention and call the person by their name
Be mindful of your tone and how loud you are when you are speaking
Use positive body language. The way you stand or hold your arms can send a message about your attitude. Don't cross your arms and raise your voice when you speak to your Loved One. Crossed arms send a message that you are angry.
Encourage communication between the two of you. Encourage conversation but do not ask questions.
Use nonverbal cues to communicate with your Dementia Loved One. Smile, touch his shoulder, nod head yes, hug, low whistle
Distract the person if they are repeating or fixating on a topic. Change the subject. Engage them in a topic that interests them
Approach them slowly and hold their hand
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