Dementia comprises a series of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, problem-solving, language, and perception. People suffering from it can experience impaired day-to-day functioning. Dementia treatment entails a body of steps, including medication and therapy. Alzheimer’s majorly backs the existence of dementia in a person.
A loss of nerve cells results in dementia. And the symptoms are on the rise with progressing age. Nerve cells are irreplaceable, and hence starting dementia treatment at the right time is indispensable.
A person who has dementia has insufficient nerve cells to send messages from the brain. They may become dependent on other people for basic survival. The first-ever dementia patient detected was in 1850, who started manifesting crucial symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s.
7 STAGES
- Stage 1
The first stage reflects images of slight changes in the brain in their CT scans. Although the patient does not manifest any odd behaviors.
- Stage 2
Eventually, the patients might start misspelling or skipping words in sentences. It may not seem like a big deal at the moment and can quickly go unnoticed. But this could also be the case of aging and should be mistaken for the other.
- Stage 3
Also known as mild cognitive decline, stage 3 experiences short-term memory loss. The patient forgets things at the drop of a hat. Such as, they may not remember details regarding their acquaintances or even immediate relatives. They cannot operate the way they once did. Their memory does not support them anymore, and sufferers might start losing things and forgetting their belongings.
- Stage 4
Also known as the moderate cognitive decline, stage 4 takes a more severe turn. The patients begin to lose interest in social activities, meeting friends/family, or attending any social gatherings. They cannot conduct basic mathematical calculations and have a tough time operating their lives. They might exhibit signs of disorientation by forgetting where, when, or how they are at a particular place.
People around the patient can tell that something is wrong with them. They are aware of their cognitive decline. It is at this stage that clinical dementia is most likely diagnosed.
- Stage 5
Also known as moderately severe cognitive decline, stage 5 gets pretty significant. The patient undergoes critical memory loss by forgetting simple details like their name, address, number, etc. They may also forget how to take a bath or defecate.
- Stage 6
Also known as the severe cognitive decline, the patient loses his/her memory in this stage because they fail to remember the names of closed ones and might mistake one person for another.
They suffer from critical uncertainty and stress. Over time, their symptoms become worse, and they might need help to go to the bathroom.
- Stage 7
Also known as the very severe cognitive decline, it is the last stage or end-stage of dementia. The patient displays utter dependence on other people to carry even basic activities like eating, drinking, walking, and sitting. There is a loss of bladder and bowel control. Their capacity to communicate is hindered drastically as they grapple for words to make sense.
CONCLUSION
People who have dementia highly depend on others and lead a highly complex life. Newer treatments are easing up this journey for them. They have an affinity to recover when they see other people suffering the same way as them. These patients are fragile minds who should receive utmost empathy and compassion.
